The examiner will look for the ability to ride effectively with a developing sense of rhythm and balance. Riding on the flat, the candidate will be expected to understand the movements required, aids used and why. Developing a feel for contact, diagonals, and leads. Perform a confident and quiet ride. Know how to warm up the horse. Over fences and in the open demonstrate riding in good balance with the pace and good position over fences, with either a crest or automatic release. Demonstrate good preparation and judgement with evidence of planning and thinking ahead. Ride simple combinations in stadium. Demonstrate timing and authority. Ride with confidence in the open over a variety of obstacles.
Candidate’s should be neat and tidy, wearing suitable boots to be around ponies. Stable Management
Discuss the care of a pony in different situations (e.g. grass kept pony, grain fed stabled pony, pony in work). Include safety aspects in routine and practices in tool storage, possible methods for feeding and watering, pasture release, etc.
Discuss the candidate’s own experiences feeding a horse in working condition. Explain the rationale for the rules of good feeding and why they are important. Identify a variety of feeds and be able to tell the difference between legume and grass hay. Know the nutrients a horse gets from his diet.
Discuss the care of the horse after work. Explain what needs to be done or checked before you begin to implement a conditioning program for your horse and describe your plan to condition.
Using the complete kit, be able to turn out a well groomed horse. This should include the trimming of legs and bridle path when necessary, but the use of clippers is not mandatory.
Discuss how to care for the feet and how to maintain their condition. Discuss hot and cold shoeing procedures using correct terms and tools. Discuss good and bad shoeing and practices such as pricking, dumping, etc. Explain own horse’s shoes and why they are used.
Present the contents and uses of the candidate’s own simple first aid kit, with contents listed and labelled. Discuss wound treatments including poulticing, hot fomentation and cold hosing. Discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment of common ailments such as ringworm, lice and laminitis. Discuss the actions that keep the candidate’s horse healthy such as deworming, dental care, and the vaccinations which are common/necessary in their area.
Identify 3 to 5 good and bad points of conformation on a horse other than their own, and locate the site of common limb blemishes and unsoundnesses (e.g. splint, side bone, ring bone, curb, capped knee, hock and elbow).
Explain or demonstrate how to choose and care for new/old tack (leather quality, areas of wear, checking the saddle tree, etc.), and how to put up and store tack. Fit a variety of martingales and saddles (fitting for balance, panel contact and gullet clearance) and explain why they are used.
Demonstrate how to correctly apply stable bandages. Discuss the equipment and preparation for shipping including appropriate blankets and other travel gear. Not tested - introduce the tail bandage and its purposes.
Riding
Candidate’s should be neat and tidy, wearing suitable appropriate show riding attire, pale breeches, boots/chaps, gloves, Showjacket, crest, CPC pin (remove pin on xc portion). Will need the use of an approved XC vest when riding on XC.
Flat ride: ' With an independent seat, demonstrate a developing sense of rhythm, balance and feel of the horses movements (leads and diagonals). Feel of contact and secure position will allow a confident, quiet ride. Forward movement should be maintained on contact and on a loose rein, and some lengthening should be shown at the trot rising. Trot and canter without stirrups. The candidate’s independent warmup should include exercises to supple horse and rider, and prepare for the movements in the flat ride.
' Demonstrate a secure two-point position over a simple progressive gymnastic showing good planning, authority and control. (maximum 2’6”) E.g. 9 foot placing rail to a cross rail, 16-18 feet to a narrow ascending oxer.
Demonstrate control, authority, use of aids, reasonable pace and presentation over a course of at least 6 fences including both verticals and spreads (ascending oxers) and at least one change of direction. At least 1/3 of the fences to be at maximum height of 3’. Ride a set line of striding (related distance).
Demonstrate authority, confidence, control, presentation and use of aids over a 3 to 4 solid cross country obstacles typical of entry level eventing (tree trunks, ditches, drops, etc.), maximum height and width 2’9”. Fences should be set over varied terrain including steep hills and banks if available. Candidates should be developing a good feel for pace and demonstrate the ability to move forward at about 350 metres per minute.