1 / 46

Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Program Overview

Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Program Overview. Kristen M. Wilson Extension Horse Specialist. Revised 7/27/11. What are the Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards?. Encourage progressive development of skills: Horse care and management Horse safety English and Western Riding

martinezcynthia
Download Presentation

Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Program Overview

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Program Overview Kristen M. Wilson Extension Horse Specialist Revised 7/27/11

  2. What are the Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards? • Encourage progressive development of skills: • Horse care and management • Horse safety • English and Western Riding • Emphasis on safety and education, not competition • For individuals with or without access to a horse

  3. Objectives of Program • Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards serve as a: • Study guide for members • Tool to evaluate proficiency and progress of 4-H members carrying a horse project • Plan of work for volunteer leaders • Basis for recognition and achievement

  4. Horsemanship Standards • Knowledge • Riding: • Western • English Riding • English Jumping • Consist of 6 levels each • Pass: Meet or exceed standards

  5. Knowledge Standards • Emphasizes correct and safe horse handling and management skills • Develop basic health, nutrition, and veterinary knowledge • Requires no use of a horse

  6. Knowledge Standards Sections • Handling • Breeds, Conformation, Movement • Grooming and Bandaging • Health Care and Veterinary Knowledge • Nutrition • Stable Management and Safety • Tack and Equipment • Transportation and Travel Safety

  7. Knowledge Standards Consists of: • Written Test • Request copies from County Extension Office • Oral Practicum (hands on) Section

  8. Knowledge Standards • Study guides should be used to prepare youth for testings and include all information 4-Hers must know for each level • Knowledge testing sheets include: • Only what needs to be covered orally • Separate section for written test score to be recorded

  9. Knowledge Test Sheet Example

  10. Riding Levels • Encourages Riders to become: • Safe • Effective • Confident • Knowledgeable about Equipment and Tack and Hose Management skills

  11. Riding Levels • Major Sections Include: • Horse Management • Riding Courtesy/Turnout • Tack • Riding • Test/Pattern

  12. Riding Levels – Horse Mgt. • Includes: • Haltering / Leading / Tying a Horse • Grooming • Blanketing • Applying • Protective boots • Stable bandage • Shipping bandage • Lunging • Trailer loading and safety • Taking vital signs

  13. Riding Levels • Riding position requirements are to be looked for in each part of the test • Example: RIDING EXPECTATIONS (Level 1): Throughout the entire testing, candidate demonstrates control while maintaining a safe, balanced position at the walk and trot in both directions.

  14. Riding Levels • Pattern/Test included for all six levels • English Riding – Pattern or Dressage Test • Discussion and re-doing the pattern is allowed as needed • Appendix includes all patterns and diagrams for grid work in English Jumping

  15. Riding Test Sheet Example

  16. General Requirements • Candidate must carry a 4-H horse project • 4-Her must start out at Level 1 • Exception – 4-Hers who have passed any level in the old 4-H Horse and Pony Performance Levels • Levels must be passed in sequential order • Horse may be borrowed or leased for testing

  17. General Requirements • Knowledge level may exceed riding level • A 4-Hers Riding Level may not exceed their Knowledge Level by more than one level • Exception: A 4-H member must pass Knowledge Level 2 before their Riding Level can exceed their Knowledge Level  • For Example: A 4-H member who has passed their Knowledge Level 3 can test through Riding Level 4, but before they could take Riding Level 5, they would have to complete Knowledge Level 4

  18. General Requirements • Knowledge and riding level testing must be conducted separately, but can be conducted on same day for only one level • Exception: Levels 1 & 2 may be conducted the same day • Knowledge levels 1 - 4 written and oral practicum sections may be administered on different days

  19. General Requirements • English Riding and Western Riding levels 1 & 2 are very similar. Candidates who passed levels 1 or 2 in either discipline may change their discipline for level 3 • Once level 3 is passed the candidate must test within that discipline in sequential order

  20. General Requirements • Candidates may meet their Dressage test requirements for English Riding level 3 or above by scoring a 60% or higher on required dressage test at a dressage show judged by a rated dressage judge • Note: This only fulfills the dressage test requirement and candidate must finish other sections to complete the specific level

  21. What is considered a rated Dressage Judge? • USDF L judge or higher • L, r, R, S, O • Note: A copy of the candidate’s completed test must be provided to the examiner at the time of testing

  22. Standards Level Testing • Levels 1 & 2: Club level testing • Administered by an approved examiner • Levels 3 & 4: County level testing • Locations and times announced by County Extension Office • Administered by an approved examiner • No family members or instructors/trainers may serve as examiner • 4-Her may attend testing in a county other than their own with approval of host county • It is suggested that one month pass between member testing for level 4 after passing level 3

  23. Standards Level Testing • Levels 5 & 6: State level testing • Administered by approved examiner • No family members or instructors/trainers may serve as examiner • 4-Her must supply all necessary equipment • It is suggested that two months must pass between 4-H member testing for level 5 after passing level 4 as well as level 6 after passing level 5 • Dates for testings will be available at the beginning of the calendar year

  24. Scoring the Test • A 4-H member must meet or exceed all skills to pass the level test • If one or two sections are not passed, 4-H member may retest those sections no sooner than one month after. • Retest must be with the same examiner and must occur within 3 months of original testing date. • If three or more sections are not passed, 4-H member may retest entire level no sooner than one month after. • Retest may be with the same or different examiner.

  25. Re-Test Section • Original testing sheet must be used for re-testing a candidate

  26. Scoring the Test • Examiners should document reasons why 4-Her did not meet expectations and discuss decision with the candidate • Be positive • Use appropriate verbage • Knowledge/Riding Testing sheets must be copied and submitted to county offices for levels 1-4 and state office for levels 5-6 as well as candidate

  27. Awards & Recognition • Levels 1 & 2 • County Level • Certificate of Achievement • Levels 3-6 • State Level • Horsemen’s Party • Certificate of Achievement • Additional items as they progress through the levels • Candidates completing Knowledge Levels in their entirety (K1 – K6) will also be recognized

  28. Responsibilities of 4-H Member • Request testing from club leader, county educators, or state office • Provide proof of last level passed • Provide appropriate testing fees (as necessary) • Provide safe and appropriate tack, equipment, and horse • Come prepared to demonstrate all knowledge and skills indicated in levels

  29. How Do I Become An Examiner? • Be UME volunteer • Turn in volunteer status form • Attend at least one training session or complete the online training modules • Complete a test for level(s) wishing to become an examiner for • Attend Horsemanship Standards Committee meetings once every 2 years

  30. Volunteer Status Forms • Levels 1-3 • County Educator Signature • Levels 4-6 • County Educator’s Signature • Two References (UME Volunteer & Horse Industry Professional) • All new examiners must complete training session before becoming an examiner

  31. Examiner Tests • Demonstrate ability to evaluate knowledge and skills via: • Levels 1-3 • Open book exams • Levels 4-6 • Knowledge – closed book exam • Riding – Conduct a testing for the specific level in front of a committee

  32. Responsibilities of Examiner • Must be UME volunteer and approved for levels asked to test • Know all aspects of subject material and be able to demonstrate if asked • Act as a role model • Conduct tests in positive educational environment

  33. Responsibilities of Examiner • Understand safety is of utmost importance • Be prepared to excuse candidates that are unsafe, poorly behaving, or have an unsuitable horse • Provide written comments on candidate test sheets about performance of candidates

  34. Responsibilities of Examiner • Test sheets must be copied and submitted to county offices for levels 1-4 and state office for levels 5-6 as well as candidate. 4-Her should receive a copy of testing sheet • Receive and turn in testing fees to State 4-H Office and initial that payments were received • Testings can be stressful so be aware of signs of distress, overriding, or overfacing by horses and riders

  35. Reasons for Excusing Horse/Rider • Horse • Undsoundness • Unsuitability • Overfaced by nature of the testing • Unconditioned or physically strained by work required for the level being tested • Rider • Injury or illness • Disregard to safety or welfare of horse • Excessive use of natural aids or corrections using artificial aids • Disregard for or refusal of examiners instructions or requests • Unsportsmanlike behavior

  36. Reasons for Excusing Horse/Rider • Tack • Lack of ASTM-SEI safety helmet or improperly fitting helmet • Lack of safe and appropriate riding apparel • Tack that is in poor condition • Inappropriately fitting tack that cannot be corrected at testing

  37. Horsemanship Standards Committee • Subcommittee of the Maryland 4-H Horse Advisory Council • Consist of: • Approved examiners • UME volunteers • UME staff and faculty

  38. Horsemanship Standards Committee • Utilizes the meeting to: • Evaluate the success of the program • Make recommendations for changes to state office • Examiners must attend this meeting once every 2 years

  39. Responsibilities of County Office • Enter information into 4-H Enrollment Database • File documents that you receive including: • Testing related documents • Examiner letters • Assist examiners in identifying a location and date for county-wide testing as requested

  40. Responsibilities of County Office • Sign volunteer status forms • Fulfill requests for copies of the Knowledge written tests and keys from examiners • After each testing they should receive from the examiner: • Original graded written test & keys • Copy of testing sheet for each level 4-Her has passed

  41. Testing Fees • Each 4-H member will be responsible for paying a testing participation fee prior to participating in specific level testings • Testing participation fees will help provide funding for the educational trainings for youth and adults, expenses for statewide examiner and 4-Her testings for Levels 4-6 as well as other operating expenses related to the program

  42. Testing Fees

  43. Testing Fee Guidelines • There will be a separate fee for both the knowledge and riding test taken at each level • Fee(s) must be paid in full prior to the day of the testing when registering • Personal checks and/or cashier checks will be accepted for payment. Payable to MD 4-H Foundation • Examiners conducting the testing will be responsible for submitting payments to the State 4-H Office • Examiner should initial testing sheet indicating payment was received • One time fee – no fee for retesting • Testing fees are non-refundable unless the 4-H member provides a doctor’s or vet’s note within 48 hours of the scheduled testing.

  44. Initial Testing Sheet

  45. References and Resources • Approved resources for state contests • USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Basics for Beginners through D Level, by S. E. Harris. • USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Intermediate Horsemanship through C Level, by S. E. Harris. • USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Advanced Horsemanship Through A Level, by S. E. Harris.

  46. 4-H Horsemanship Standards Website http://www.4hhorse.umd.edu/activities/Horsemanship%20Standards.html

More Related