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Platinum

Platinum Award 3

OBJECTIVES

To work towards becoming an educated and practical horseman·

To be able to look after ponies kept at grass and have experience and knowledge of looking after stabled horses·

To be able to ride at all paces over fences and varying terrain·

To be able to ride a well mannered horse or pony out hunting and be able to prepare him before the day and care for him afterwards ·

To have a knowledge of pace, distance and discipline to ride intelligently and safely in a group or alone ·

Ride with due regard for others in the country and on the roads· To be able to ride safely on the public highway

RIDING AND ROAD SENSE
Mount receiving a leg up from the correct side·
Dismount from the incorrect side·
Have a correct position at all paces·
Maintain a balanced position when changing from rising to sitting trot to rising trot·
Know and be able to explain the aids for transitions from halt to walk and walk to trot·
Be able to halt squarely and salute·
Know how the horse should place his feet in halt and the sequence of footfalls in walk·
Be able to ride with the reins in one hand. Know which rein controls the pace· Be able to maintain a correct and balanced position when riding up and down hills·
Maintain a correct jumping position around a course of jumps·
Know the type of bit and its action that your horse is using·
Know how to ride safely on the roads in pairs and in groups·
Know whose instructions must be obeyed when riding on the road·
Know what to carry when hacking out on the roads

HORSEMASTERSHIP
Know what is required to keep a pony living out at grass in terms of field size, fencing and shelter, quality of grazing and water·
Recognise good and poor stabling·
Know why it is important to keep a stabled pony well exercised·
Know the rules of watering and why water is important·
Know the reasons for grooming and how to groom a grass kept pony·
Identify a variety of indoor and outdoor rugs explaining their different uses · Know the reasons for putting on stable and travelling bandages·
Know the external parts of the foot· Name the farriers tools·
Recognise when a pony needs re-shoeing·
Know what to look for when checking saddles and bridles for safety·
Know the signs of good and poor health·
Know how to stop bleeding· Know the rules of sick nursing· Know how to hose a wound


Platinum Award 2

OBJECTIVES

To work towards becoming an educated and practical horseman·

To be able to look after ponies kept at grass and have experience and knowledge of looking after stabled horses·

To be able to ride at all paces over fences and varying terrain·

To be able to ride a well mannered horse or pony out hunting and be able to prepare him before the day and care for him afterwards ·

To have a knowledge of pace, distance and discipline to ride intelligently and safely in a group or alone ·

Ride with due regard for others in the country and on the roads· To be able to ride safely on the public highway

RIDING AND ROAD SENSE
Mount from a mounting block on either side·
Be in balance with the horse at all paces· Maintain balance when changing diagonals·
Know and be able to explain the aids for transitions from trot to canter on either rein and canter to trot, to walk, to halt·
Be able to perform a quarter turn on the forehand and know the correct aids·
Know the sequence of footfalls in trot·
Be able to change the rein with the reins in one hand· Be able to jump a variety of fences and ditches out of trot and canter·
Know the names and actions of the more commonly known bits· Know the signals to give when overtaking and negotiating junctions·
Know which roads signs must be obeyed and which signs are warning signs only·
Know the country lore

HORSEMASTERSHIP
Know how to prepare a grass kept pony for riding at all times of year ·
Know different types of bedding and give reasons for choosing one particular type·
Know why it is important that stabled horses spend some time out at grass each day·
Know the rules of feeding and why are important·
Have a thorough knowledge of all the items in a grooming kit·
Know the differences between grooming a grass kept and a stable kept pony· Demonstrate putting on and taking off a variety of rugs with different fastenings· Identify different types of bandages·
Know why padding must be put underneath bandages. Identify different types of padding·
Know the bones inside the foot· Know what the farrier does when removing a shoe·
Describe a fullered shoe used for everyday riding· Know what to check to see that a bridle fits correctly and comfortable·
Recognise when a pony is in good or poor condition· Know how to clean a wound·
Know when a horse should be isolated·
Know how to tub a foot.·
Know the importance of influenza and tetanus vaccinations


Platinum Award 1

OBJECTIVES

To work towards becoming an educated and practical horseman·

To be able to look after ponies kept at grass and have experience and knowledge of looking after stabled horses·

To be able to ride at all paces over fences and varying terrain·

To be able to ride a well mannered horse or pony out hunting and be able to prepare him before the day and care for him afterwards ·

To have a knowledge of pace, distance and discipline to ride intelligently and safely in a group or alone ·

Ride with due regard for others in the country and on the roads·

To be able to ride safely on the public highway

RIDING AND ROAD SENSE
Mount and dismount correctly from either side·
Be able to keep a correct, balanced and effective position in all paces over all types of terrain·
Be able to change diagonals at appropriate places and know the reasons for changing diagonals·
Know and be able to explain the aids for transitions for turns and circles·
Be able to perform a turn on the forehand in either direction and know the correct aids and how the horses legs should move·
Know the sequence of footfalls in canter and gallop on either rein· Be able to make a simple change of leg at canter through trot·
Be able to jump up and down hill, jump doubles and know the correct distances·
Know the names and the actions of the bits used on a double bridle·
Know how to present your horse at a junction and roundabout·
Know the advice given by the Highway Code regarding what to wear when riding and leading horses on the road and what the horse should wear·
Know what to do in the event of an accident

HORSEMASTERSHIP
Know how to look after a grass kept pony after hunting or competition· Understand the importance of a daily routine·
Have a knowledge of different routines including the combined system·
Be able to recognise different feeds and forage·
Know the different between compounds and straights·
Know how to groom a stabled horse including wisping or banging·
Demonstrate a knowledge of putting on a blanket under a stable rug and fitting rain sheets and exercise blankets·
Know whether the rug/s they fit correctly·
Put on a stable bandage· Know the sensitive structures inside the foot ·
Know how the farrier prepares the foot for the new shoe and the process of nailing on and finishing off·
Describe a hunter shoe· Know what to look for to check that a saddle fits correctly·
Recognise when a pony is lame· Know the contents of the veterinary kit and their uses·
Know how to look after a sick horse· Know how to apply hot and cold fomentations·
Know how to apply a poultice