ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Prepare for horse riding activity.

1.1. Determine suitable location in controlled conditions according to equestrian discipline being performed, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.2. Select, check and fit tack and personal equipment after consideration of contextual issues.

1.3. Assess and prepare horse safely and appropriately for the equestrian discipline being performed.

1.4. Identify possible hazards and risks associated with the activity and determine safety procedures.

2. Mount the horse and warm up.

2.1. Check and adjust tack before mounting horse in a balanced and controlled manner.

2.2. Adjust equipment as necessary to fit the horse and rider once mounted.

2.3. Warm up the horse at walk, trot and canter on both reins while demonstrating an independent upright seat with the horse quietly accepting the rider's hands.

2.4. Apply aids in an unobtrusive manner consistent with the training of the horse and check attitude and acceptance of the aids.

2.5. Ride the horse alone and in a group using safe zones, and maintain the same gait, rhythm and tempo while travelling away or towards the other horses.

2.6. Carry and use the whip or jumping crop correctly and interact with horse effectively.

3. Apply basic dressage skills.

3.1. Maintain control and an effective, centred, independent upright seat through all gaits and required movements.

3.2. Apply the appropriate aids to ride the required movements in dressage, and demonstrate an understanding of paces and transitions.

3.3. Ride all required shapes and movements accurately, and apply the principles of forwardness and frame, forward movement and straightness.

3.4. Recognise horse resistances and evasions and take appropriate measures to address these during dressage.

4. Apply basic show jumping skills.

4.1. Maintain an effective, centred, independent jumping seat through all required movements.

4.2. Keep the horse under control and accepting of the rider's hand whilst jumping.

4.3. Determine the requirements of the five phases of the jump.

4.4. Ride at speeds up to 350 metres per minute and consider horse's length of stride at trot and canter.

4.5. Control gait, rhythm, tempo, line and required movements of show jumping.

4.6. Recognise horse resistances and evasions and take appropriate measures to address these during jumping.

5. Apply basic cross-country skills.

5.1. Devise cross-country riding plans.

5.2. Fit and use protective cross-country gear for both the horse and rider.

5.3. Maintain control and an effective, centred, independent seat through all required movements in cross-country.

5.4. Ride effectively at designated speeds of 400 metres per minute.

5.5. Recognise horse resistances and evasions and take appropriate measures to address these during cross-country.

6. Dismount and release horse.

6.1. Dismount in a balanced manner and complete post-activity responsibilities

6.2. Lead horse safely and cool down as necessary.

6.3. Check horse for injury, remove equipment and release appropriately.

7. Evaluate activity.

7.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the riding activity.

7.2. Review performance and identify strengths and areas requiring improvement.

Required skills

communication skills to:

interact with other riders to determine their intentions during warm-up

communicate with and instruct the horse

seek feedback and instructions from the coach

participate in the review process

problem-solving skills to anticipate and mitigate an aggressive, misbehaving or frightened horse and respond appropriately to changing conditions

language and literacy skills to access, interpret and apply information about the required movements of dressage, show jumping and cross-country riding

self-management skills to:

prepare for and participate in various equestrian disciplines

review and reflect on own performance

planning and organising skills to:

assist in selecting a suitable location, tack and personal equipment

prepare horse for riding

complete post-activity responsibilities

numeracy skills to:

determine jump heights

measure distances and times

measure horse's length of stride at trot and canter

first aid skills and safety procedures appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe participation and conduct during horse riding activities

selection, use and set up of tack and personal equipment for various equestrian disciplines to enhance development of skills and tactics

safety requirements and practices during basic dressage, show jumping and cross-country riding to ensure risk minimisation

horse handling and correct riding techniques to participate in basic warm-ups, dressage, show jumping, cross-country and cool-downs

communication systems used between riders, horses and coaches during equestrian activities

location features and hazards and how these might impact on the riding experience

social behaviour, psychology and vices of horses to recognise and treat individual temperaments and behaviours

reflection and review principles to enable effective self-evaluation for future improvement

emergency and safety procedures appropriate to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and horse.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

applies relevant process to safely prepare self and horse for basic dressage, show jumping and cross-country riding in controlled conditions

follows instructions from the coach to accurately apply knowledge and demonstrate required movements, techniques and control over the horse in each discipline

modifies technique according to equestrian discipline being performed, and applies knowledge of horse behaviour patterns and safe handling techniques to avoid hazards where possible

evaluates and reflects on own riding in each discipline to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that require improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in basic dressage, show jumping and cross-country riding activities that are of a sufficient duration to allow the rider to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

suitable locations with controlled conditions for basic dressage, show jumping and cross-country riding

quiet and reasonably tractable horses in a recreational or training program

tack and personal equipment such as halters, ropes, saddles, bridles, helmets, suitable attire and boots.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of safe horse handling and performance of required movements in basic dressage, show jumping and cross-country riding in controlled conditions

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the hazards, risks and safety procedures associated with the equestrian disciplines

self-evaluation and third-party reports from coach detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISOEQO201A Handle horses.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Controlled conditions may include:

minimal environmental hazards and obstacles

good weather conditions

quiet horses trained to perform to preliminary level for dressage and to jump show jumps and cross-country fences

reasonably level terrain for dressage and undulating ground for cross-country, show jumps and cross-country fences up to 30 cm.

Equestrian discipline may include:

dressage

show jumping

cross-country.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits from authorities

harassment-free sports policies

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

conflict resolution

communication protocols

use, care and maintenance of horse, tack and personal equipment

training and scheduling commitments

code of ethics.

Tack may include:

halters

ropes

reins

bits.

Personal equipment may include:

clothing

boots

helmet

gloves

back or body protector.

Contextual issues may include:

size of horse

size of rider

weather conditions

experience and riding discipline of rider

training and behaviour of horse

environment in which activity will take place.

Hazards may include:

horses too close together

aggressive horse

horse misbehaving

environmental hazards.

Risks may include:

injuries to horse or rider

exhaustion

falls

illness.

Safety procedures may include:

horse management in hazardous situations

symptoms, treatment and prevention of common horse riding injuries and risks

safe distance from other horses

releasing horse to paddock or stall

riding at appropriate speed on uneven and sloping ground

appropriate speeds to approach a jump, jump show fences and cross-country fences.

Balanced and controlled manner may include:

sitting in balance with the horse, at walk, trot and canter on the flat and when jumping

communicating with the horse with smooth instructions

controlling the speed and direction of the horse.

Adjust equipment may include:

tightening girth

lengthening or shortening stirrups.

Aids may include:

legs

weights

hands

voice

training whips

spurs.

Attitude and acceptance of the aids may include:

acceptance of the bit

contact

submission

forward from the leg

between lag, seat and hand

half-halt.

Safe zones may include:

space allowances for:

stallions

rigs

mares in season

known kickers

timid or beginner riders.

Gait may include:

walk

trot

canter.

Required movements in dressage may include:

turns and corners

halts

20 metre and 15 metre circles

serpentines

figures of eight.

Forwardness and frame may include:

rhythm

tempo

straightness

balanced

cadence.

Straightness may include:

longitudinal

lateral work

suppleness

flexion

tilting.

Resistances and evasion may include:

hollow

above the bit

behind the bit

broken necked

overbent.

Required movements of show jumping may include:

two point seat

three point seat

forward seat riding

single poles

trotting poles.

Required movements in cross- country may include:

undulating country in trot or canter

riding at different speeds

single cross-country fences with trot approach up to 40 cm

single cross-country fences up to 40 cm with canter approach.

Post-activity responsibilities may include:

running up stirrups

loosening girth

hosing and scraping horse when appropriate

checking equipment for wear or breakage

storing equipment in an appropriate manner.

Relevant aspects may include:

preparation and warm-up

performance in dressage, show jumping and cross-country

riding techniques

safety aspects

cool-down and post-activity completion

evaluation and review.