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

Maryland 4-H Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Horsemanship

Standards Standards Program Program OverviewOverview

Kristen M. WilsonKristen M. Wilson

Extension Horse SpecialistExtension Horse SpecialistRevised 7/27/11

What are the Maryland 4-H What are the Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards?Horsemanship Standards?

• Encourage progressive Encourage progressive development of skills:development of skills:– Horse care and managementHorse care and management– Horse safetyHorse safety– English and Western RidingEnglish and Western Riding

• Emphasis on safety and Emphasis on safety and education, not competitioneducation, not competition

• For individuals with or For individuals with or without access to a horsewithout access to a horse

Objectives of ProgramObjectives of Program

• Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards

serve as a:serve as a:

– Study guide for membersStudy guide for members

– Tool to evaluate proficiency and progress of 4-Tool to evaluate proficiency and progress of 4-

H members carrying a horse projectH members carrying a horse project

– Plan of work for volunteer leadersPlan of work for volunteer leaders

– Basis for recognition and achievementBasis for recognition and achievement

Horsemanship StandardsHorsemanship Standards

• KnowledgeKnowledge

• Riding: Riding:

– WesternWestern

– English RidingEnglish Riding

– English JumpingEnglish Jumping

• Consist of 6 levels eachConsist of 6 levels each

• Pass: Meet or exceed Pass: Meet or exceed

standardsstandards

Knowledge StandardsKnowledge Standards

• Emphasizes correct Emphasizes correct and safe horse and safe horse handling and handling and management skillsmanagement skills

• Develop basic health, Develop basic health, nutrition, and nutrition, and veterinary knowledgeveterinary knowledge

• Requires no use of a Requires no use of a horsehorse

Knowledge Standards SectionsKnowledge Standards Sections

– HandlingHandling– Breeds, Conformation, Breeds, Conformation,

MovementMovement– Grooming and BandagingGrooming and Bandaging– Health Care and Health Care and

Veterinary KnowledgeVeterinary Knowledge– NutritionNutrition– Stable Management and Stable Management and

SafetySafety– Tack and EquipmentTack and Equipment– Transportation and Travel Transportation and Travel

SafetySafety


Consists of:Consists of:

1.1.Written TestWritten Test– Request copies from Request copies from

County Extension County Extension OfficeOffice

2.2.Oral Practicum Oral Practicum (hands on) Section(hands on) Section


• Study guides should be used to Study guides should be used to prepare youth for testings and prepare youth for testings and include all information 4-Hers must include all information 4-Hers must know for each levelknow for each level

• Knowledge testing sheets include:Knowledge testing sheets include:

– Only what needs to be covered orallyOnly what needs to be covered orally

– Separate section for written test score to Separate section for written test score to be recordedbe recorded

Knowledge Test Sheet Example

Riding LevelsRiding Levels

• Encourages Riders to Encourages Riders to become:become:– SafeSafe

– EffectiveEffective

– ConfidentConfident

– Knowledgeable about Knowledgeable about Equipment and Tack Equipment and Tack and Hose Management and Hose Management skillsskills

Riding LevelsRiding Levels• Major Sections Major Sections

Include:Include:– Horse ManagementHorse Management– Riding Riding

Courtesy/TurnoutCourtesy/Turnout– TackTack– RidingRiding– Test/PatternTest/Pattern

Riding Levels – Horse Mgt.Riding Levels – Horse Mgt.

• Includes:Includes:– Haltering / Leading / Tying a HorseHaltering / Leading / Tying a Horse

– GroomingGrooming

– BlanketingBlanketing

– ApplyingApplying• Protective bootsProtective boots• Stable bandageStable bandage• Shipping bandageShipping bandage

– LungingLunging

– Trailer loading and safetyTrailer loading and safety

– Taking vital signs Taking vital signs


• Riding position requirements are to Riding position requirements are to be looked for in each part of the testbe looked for in each part of the test

• Example:Example:RIDING EXPECTATIONS (Level 1): RIDING EXPECTATIONS (Level 1):

Throughout the entire testing, candidate Throughout the entire testing, candidate demonstrates control while maintaining demonstrates control while maintaining a safe, balanced position at the walk a safe, balanced position at the walk and trot in both directions.and trot in both directions.


• Pattern/Test included for all six levelsPattern/Test included for all six levels– English Riding – Pattern English Riding – Pattern oror Dressage Test Dressage Test– Discussion and re-doing the pattern is Discussion and re-doing the pattern is

allowed as neededallowed as needed

• Appendix includes all patterns and Appendix includes all patterns and diagrams for grid work in English diagrams for grid work in English JumpingJumping

Riding Test Sheet Example

General RequirementsGeneral Requirements

• Candidate must carry a 4-H horse projectCandidate must carry a 4-H horse project

• 4-Her must start out at Level 14-Her must start out at Level 1

– Exception – 4-Hers who have passed any level Exception – 4-Hers who have passed any level

in the old 4-H Horse and Pony Performance in the old 4-H Horse and Pony Performance

Levels Levels

• Levels must be passed in sequential orderLevels must be passed in sequential order

• Horse may be borrowed or leased for Horse may be borrowed or leased for

testingtesting


• Knowledge level may exceed riding levelKnowledge level may exceed riding level

• A 4-Hers Riding Level may not exceed their A 4-Hers Riding Level may not exceed their

Knowledge Level by more than one level Knowledge Level by more than one level

– Exception: A 4-H member must pass Knowledge Exception: A 4-H member must pass Knowledge

Level 2 before their Riding Level can exceed their Level 2 before their Riding Level can exceed their

Knowledge Level Knowledge Level

– For Example: A 4-H member who has passed their For Example: A 4-H member who has passed their

Knowledge Level 3 can test through Riding Level 4, Knowledge Level 3 can test through Riding Level 4,

but before they could take Riding Level 5, they would but before they could take Riding Level 5, they would

have to complete Knowledge Level 4have to complete Knowledge Level 4


• Knowledge and riding level testing must Knowledge and riding level testing must

be conducted separately, but can be be conducted separately, but can be

conducted on same day for only one levelconducted on same day for only one level

– Exception: Levels 1 & 2 may be conducted Exception: Levels 1 & 2 may be conducted

the same daythe same day

• Knowledge levels 1 - 4 written and oral Knowledge levels 1 - 4 written and oral

practicum sections may be administered practicum sections may be administered

on different dayson different days


• English Riding and Western Riding English Riding and Western Riding

levels 1 & 2 are very similar. levels 1 & 2 are very similar.

Candidates who passed levels 1 or 2 Candidates who passed levels 1 or 2

in either discipline may change their in either discipline may change their

discipline for level 3discipline for level 3

• Once level 3 is passed the candidate Once level 3 is passed the candidate

must test within that discipline in must test within that discipline in

sequential ordersequential order


• Candidates may meet their Dressage test Candidates may meet their Dressage test

requirements for English Riding level 3 or requirements for English Riding level 3 or

above by scoring a 60% or higher on above by scoring a 60% or higher on

required dressage test at a dressage show required dressage test at a dressage show

judged by a rated dressage judgejudged by a rated dressage judge

– Note: This only fulfills the dressage test Note: This only fulfills the dressage test

requirement and candidate must finish other requirement and candidate must finish other

sections to complete the specific levelsections to complete the specific level

What is considered a rated What is considered a rated Dressage Judge?Dressage Judge?

• USDF L judge or higherUSDF L judge or higher– L, r, R, S, OL, r, R, S, O

• Note: A copy of the candidate’s Note: A copy of the candidate’s completed test must be provided to completed test must be provided to the examiner at the time of testingthe examiner at the time of testing

Standards Level TestingStandards Level Testing• Levels 1 & 2: Club level testingLevels 1 & 2: Club level testing

– Administered by an approved examinerAdministered by an approved examiner

• Levels 3 & 4: County level testingLevels 3 & 4: County level testing– Locations and times announced by County Locations and times announced by County

Extension OfficeExtension Office– Administered by an approved examinerAdministered by an approved examiner– No family members or instructors/trainers may No family members or instructors/trainers may

serve as examinerserve as examiner– 4-Her may attend testing in a county other than 4-Her may attend testing in a county other than

their own with approval of host countytheir own with approval of host county– It is suggested that one month pass between It is suggested that one month pass between

member testing for level 4 after passing level 3member testing for level 4 after passing level 3

Standards Level TestingStandards Level Testing

• Levels 5 & 6: State level testingLevels 5 & 6: State level testing– Administered by approved examinerAdministered by approved examiner– No family members or instructors/trainers No family members or instructors/trainers

may serve as examinermay serve as examiner– 4-Her must supply all necessary equipment4-Her must supply all necessary equipment– It is suggested that two months must pass It is suggested that two months must pass

between 4-H member testing for level 5 after between 4-H member testing for level 5 after passing level 4 as well as level 6 after passing level 4 as well as level 6 after passing level 5passing level 5

– Dates for testings will be available at the Dates for testings will be available at the beginning of the calendar yearbeginning of the calendar year

Scoring the TestScoring the Test• A 4-H member must meet or exceed all skills to A 4-H member must meet or exceed all skills to

pass the level testpass the level test

• If one or two sections are not passed, 4-H member If one or two sections are not passed, 4-H member

may retest those sections no sooner than one may retest those sections no sooner than one

month after. month after.

– Retest must be with the same examiner and must occur Retest must be with the same examiner and must occur

within 3 months of original testing date.within 3 months of original testing date.

• If three or more sections are not passed, 4-H If three or more sections are not passed, 4-H

member may retest entire level no sooner than one member may retest entire level no sooner than one

month after. month after.

– Retest may be with the same or different examiner.Retest may be with the same or different examiner.

Re-Test SectionRe-Test Section

• Original Original testing sheet testing sheet must be used must be used for re-testing for re-testing a candidatea candidate

Scoring the TestScoring the Test

• Examiners should document reasons why Examiners should document reasons why

4-Her did not meet expectations and 4-Her did not meet expectations and

discuss decision with the candidatediscuss decision with the candidate

– Be positiveBe positive

– Use appropriate verbageUse appropriate verbage

• Knowledge/Riding Testing sheets must be Knowledge/Riding Testing sheets must be

copied and submitted to county offices for copied and submitted to county offices for

levels 1-4 and state office for levels 5-6 as levels 1-4 and state office for levels 5-6 as

well as candidatewell as candidate

Awards & RecognitionAwards & Recognition

• Levels 1 & 2Levels 1 & 2– County LevelCounty Level– Certificate of AchievementCertificate of Achievement

• Levels 3-6Levels 3-6– State LevelState Level

• Horsemen’s PartyHorsemen’s Party

– Certificate of AchievementCertificate of Achievement– Additional items as they progress through the Additional items as they progress through the

levelslevels– Candidates completing Knowledge Levels in their Candidates completing Knowledge Levels in their

entirety (K1 – K6) will also be recognizedentirety (K1 – K6) will also be recognized

Responsibilities of 4-H MemberResponsibilities of 4-H Member• Request testing from club leader, Request testing from club leader,

county educators, or state officecounty educators, or state office

• Provide proof of last level passedProvide proof of last level passed

• Provide appropriate testing fees (as Provide appropriate testing fees (as necessary)necessary)

• Provide safe and appropriate tack, Provide safe and appropriate tack, equipment, and horseequipment, and horse

• Come prepared to demonstrate all Come prepared to demonstrate all knowledge and skills indicated in levelsknowledge and skills indicated in levels

How Do I Become An Examiner?How Do I Become An Examiner?

• Be UME volunteerBe UME volunteer

• Turn in volunteer status formTurn in volunteer status form

• Attend at least one training session or Attend at least one training session or

complete the online training modulescomplete the online training modules

• Complete a test for level(s) wishing to Complete a test for level(s) wishing to

become an examiner forbecome an examiner for

• Attend Horsemanship Standards Committee Attend Horsemanship Standards Committee

meetings once every 2 yearsmeetings once every 2 years

Volunteer Status FormsVolunteer Status Forms

• Levels 1-3Levels 1-3– County Educator SignatureCounty Educator Signature

• Levels 4-6 Levels 4-6 – County Educator’s Signature County Educator’s Signature

– Two References (UME Volunteer & Horse Two References (UME Volunteer & Horse Industry Professional)Industry Professional)

• All All newnew examiners must complete examiners must complete training session before becoming an training session before becoming an examinerexaminer

Examiner TestsExaminer Tests

• Demonstrate ability to evaluate Demonstrate ability to evaluate knowledge and skills via:knowledge and skills via:– Levels 1-3 Levels 1-3

• Open book examsOpen book exams

– Levels 4-6Levels 4-6• Knowledge – closed book examKnowledge – closed book exam• Riding – Conduct a testing for the specific Riding – Conduct a testing for the specific

level in front of a committee level in front of a committee

Responsibilities of ExaminerResponsibilities of Examiner

• Must be UME volunteer and approved Must be UME volunteer and approved for levels asked to testfor levels asked to test

• Know all aspects of subject material Know all aspects of subject material and be able to demonstrate if askedand be able to demonstrate if asked

• Act as a role modelAct as a role model

• Conduct tests in positive educational Conduct tests in positive educational environmentenvironment


• Understand safety is of utmost Understand safety is of utmost importanceimportance

• Be prepared to excuse candidates that Be prepared to excuse candidates that

are unsafe, poorly behaving, or have an are unsafe, poorly behaving, or have an

unsuitable horseunsuitable horse

• Provide written comments on candidate Provide written comments on candidate

test sheets about performance of test sheets about performance of

candidatescandidates


• Test sheets must be copied and submitted to Test sheets must be copied and submitted to

county offices for levels 1-4 and state office county offices for levels 1-4 and state office

for levels 5-6 as well as candidate. 4-Her for levels 5-6 as well as candidate. 4-Her

should receive a copy of testing sheetshould receive a copy of testing sheet

• Receive and turn in testing fees to State 4-H Receive and turn in testing fees to State 4-H

Office and initial that payments were receivedOffice and initial that payments were received

• Testings can be stressful so be aware of Testings can be stressful so be aware of

signs of distress, overriding, or overfacing by signs of distress, overriding, or overfacing by

horses and ridershorses and riders

Reasons for Excusing Reasons for Excusing Horse/RiderHorse/Rider

• HorseHorse– UndsoundnessUndsoundness– UnsuitabilityUnsuitability– Overfaced by nature of the testingOverfaced by nature of the testing– Unconditioned or physically strained by work required for Unconditioned or physically strained by work required for

the level being testedthe level being tested

• RiderRider– Injury or illnessInjury or illness– Disregard to safety or welfare of horseDisregard to safety or welfare of horse– Excessive use of natural aids or corrections using artificial Excessive use of natural aids or corrections using artificial

aidsaids– Disregard for or refusal of examiners instructions or Disregard for or refusal of examiners instructions or

requestsrequests– Unsportsmanlike behaviorUnsportsmanlike behavior

Reasons for Excusing Reasons for Excusing Horse/RiderHorse/Rider

• TackTack– Lack of ASTM-SEI safety helmet or Lack of ASTM-SEI safety helmet or

improperly fitting helmetimproperly fitting helmet– Lack of safe and appropriate riding apparelLack of safe and appropriate riding apparel– Tack that is in poor conditionTack that is in poor condition– Inappropriately fitting tack that cannot be Inappropriately fitting tack that cannot be

corrected at testingcorrected at testing

Horsemanship Standards Horsemanship Standards CommitteeCommittee

• Subcommittee of the Maryland 4-H Subcommittee of the Maryland 4-H Horse Advisory CouncilHorse Advisory Council

• Consist of: Consist of: – Approved examinersApproved examiners– UME volunteersUME volunteers– UME staff and facultyUME staff and faculty

Horsemanship Standards Horsemanship Standards CommitteeCommittee

• Utilizes the meeting to:Utilizes the meeting to:

– Evaluate the success of the program Evaluate the success of the program

– Make recommendations for changes Make recommendations for changes to state officeto state office

• Examiners must attend this meeting Examiners must attend this meeting once every 2 yearsonce every 2 years

Responsibilities of County OfficeResponsibilities of County Office

• Enter information into 4-H Enrollment Enter information into 4-H Enrollment DatabaseDatabase

• File documents that you receive File documents that you receive including:including:– Testing related documentsTesting related documents– Examiner lettersExaminer letters

• Assist examiners in identifying a Assist examiners in identifying a location and date for county-wide location and date for county-wide testing as requestedtesting as requested

Responsibilities of County OfficeResponsibilities of County Office

• Sign volunteer status formsSign volunteer status forms

• Fulfill requests for copies of the Fulfill requests for copies of the Knowledge written tests and keys from Knowledge written tests and keys from examinersexaminers

• After each testing they should receive After each testing they should receive from the examiner:from the examiner:

– Original graded written test & keysOriginal graded written test & keys

– Copy of testing sheet for each level 4-Copy of testing sheet for each level 4-Her has passedHer has passed

Testing FeesTesting Fees

• Each 4-H member will be responsible for Each 4-H member will be responsible for paying a testing participation fee paying a testing participation fee priorprior to to participating in specific level testingsparticipating in specific level testings

• Testing participation fees will help provide Testing participation fees will help provide funding for the educational trainings for funding for the educational trainings for youth and adults, expenses for statewide youth and adults, expenses for statewide examiner and 4-Her testings for Levels 4-6 examiner and 4-Her testings for Levels 4-6 as well as other operating expenses as well as other operating expenses related to the programrelated to the program

Testing FeesTesting Fees

LEVEL KNOWLEDGE RIDING

1 -- --

2 -- --

3 $15.00 --

4 $15.00 $15.00

5 $20.00 $20.00

6 $20.00 $20.00

Testing Fee GuidelinesTesting Fee Guidelines1.1. There will be a separate fee for both the knowledge and There will be a separate fee for both the knowledge and

riding test taken at each levelriding test taken at each level

2.2. Fee(s) must be paid in full prior to the day of the testing Fee(s) must be paid in full prior to the day of the testing when registeringwhen registering

3.3. Personal checks and/or cashier checks will be accepted for Personal checks and/or cashier checks will be accepted for payment. Payable to MD 4-H Foundationpayment. Payable to MD 4-H Foundation

4.4. Examiners conducting the testing will be responsible for Examiners conducting the testing will be responsible for submitting payments to the State 4-H Officesubmitting payments to the State 4-H Office

5.5. Examiner should initial testing sheet indicating payment Examiner should initial testing sheet indicating payment was receivedwas received

6.6. One time fee – no fee for retestingOne time fee – no fee for retesting

7.7. Testing fees are non-refundable unless the 4-H member Testing fees are non-refundable unless the 4-H member provides a doctor’s or vet’s note within 48 hours of the provides a doctor’s or vet’s note within 48 hours of the scheduled testing.scheduled testing.

Initial Testing SheetInitial Testing Sheet

References and ResourcesReferences and Resources• Approved resources for state contestsApproved resources for state contests

• USPC Manual of HorsemanshipUSPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Basics : The Basics for Beginners through D Level, by S. E. Harris. for Beginners through D Level, by S. E. Harris.

• USPC Manual of HorsemanshipUSPC Manual of Horsemanship: The : The Intermediate Horsemanship through C Level, Intermediate Horsemanship through C Level, by S. E. Harris. by S. E. Harris.

• USPC Manual of HorsemanshipUSPC Manual of Horsemanship: The : The Advanced Horsemanship Through A Level, by Advanced Horsemanship Through A Level, by S. E. Harris.S. E. Harris.

4-H Horsemanship Standards 4-H Horsemanship Standards WebsiteWebsite

http://www.4hhorse.umd.edu/activities/Horsemanship%20Standards.html

http://www.4hhorse.umd.edu/activities/Horsemanship%20Standards.html

Documents

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