Encorporating Horsemanship into Eq Finals

[ccoronios]

I think this idea is superb! However, I think we would need to keep the “audience” in mind - and by this, I mean who is being tested. The Pony Club “audience” is seen to be youngsters who take care of their own ponies and horses (or at least have some hand in doing so); therefore, horse CARE would be vital. The “audience” for upper level eq classes are less likely to be in a caretaking position, so the knowledge that would be important for them to know/understand might be more related to the whys and hows of riding, tack, what impacts way of going (shoeing, basic conformation), etc.

Questions also should take into consideration geography…when I had a barn in SC, several of my students rode in an Open Eq class (back in those days) and Joey Darby (judge) asked each a question. All we railbirds saw was 15 kids shaking their heads, with very puzzled expressions. My kids were Pony Clubbers, too, and I couldn’t believe that none of them would know the answer to any reasonable question. The question? “What is ‘boyum’?” “WHAT???” says I. “Boyum” says they. “I have no clue. What did he say it was?” “Something you put on the horse’s shoes to keep from slipping on ice.” “OH! BORIUM!” Like teenagers in SC (show was in Charleston) would know ICE, much less borium!!!

I think a written test (whether it be completely multiple choice or include a brief essay) is a fantastic idea!!!

[brilyntrip]

This is so interesting !!!Maybe 15 yrs ago I was a practicing pro in Md .The Maryland Horse Shows Assoc. Hunt Seat Finals used to have three phases the written test the flat and over fences all three had I think the following percentages toward the finals winner ,O/F 40%,Flat 40%, written 20%.Interestingly enough all the pros parents etc complained so bitterly about the written that it was discontinued I think.I was a board member of MHSA at that time and as I remember it was discontinued .Now from the midst of EQUITATION CENTRAL a horsemanship phase is considered new and revolutionary .It is of importance to me that my students know and understand how and why with their animals .I am very pleased to see this !

[JAGold]

I have to agree with the problems with written tests raised by HSM and others; however, I am intrigued by the concept of testing knowledge a la pony club. What about a practical exam–several horses would be brought into the arena, could be lunged and riders would have to comment on their gait and any unsoundness, riders could be asked to wrap (polo, shipping), apply poultice, properly tack up the horse, evaluate its shoeing needs, its current level of fitness, after watching it lunge or be ridden its suitability for various careers, or to identify body parts, demonstrate the proper way to lead a horse into a trailer or onto a wooden platform…and the like.

A practical exam of the top ten, right before or after the workoff, would be a way to test their horsemanship while avoiding the problems associated with written exams. --Jess

[Anne_FS]

Oops, maybe I misunderstood you, J. Turner.

I thought you were saying kids in the 3’6" divisions are comparable to A level, when maybe what you were saying is you think 3’6" kids should be at A level.

If 3’6" kids were at a C-3 level they would be very capable horsemen. B & A levels are really asking a lot…nothing wrong with reaching for the stars, though.

Among other things, “The H-A/H has the knowledge, experience and maturity to…teach riding and horse care to others” and “The A is able to ride horses at various levels of schooling with judgment, tact and effectiveness, to train young horses, and to retrain spoiled horses.”

[Flash44]

You don’t have to be IN the barn to learn about horses. Before I even began riding, I devoured books about horse health and care. By the time I was allowed to take lessons (age 13) I ALREADY knew all the parts of the horse, most of the tack, the gaits, basic barn management, etc. I only needed to be shown how to do something once before I was able to do it on my own.

You don’t need to be standing in front of a horse to learn about nutrition, worms, diseases, lameness, and physiology. There are some excellant texts out there with pictures and diagrams.

Sure, there are lots of things (like bandaging) you need to learn by doing, but you don’t have to spend all day in the barn to learn that. If you ran one bandage a day, you could get pretty good at bandaging within a year, I’m sure! And how many years does it take to get to the big eq level?