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IRISH PONY CLUB STANDARDS OF EFFICIENCY TEST SHEET 2010
'B' STANDARD

The practice of bringing pressure to bear on Area Representatives, D.C.s, Examiners and other I.P.C. officials to treat as special cases those who happen to be using the test as an entry/professional qualification is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

General
The test centre must be prepared in advance, ready for Show Jumping & Cross Country course walk by candidates before test begins.

PRACTICAL
Some time working in a professional yard recommended.

OBJECTIVE

• To become an effective and educated horseman who knows the reasons for what he is doing.
• To ride over fences at all paces
• To gain practical experience and knowledge of the care of the stabled pony and grassland management and relevant environmental issues.
• To be quite capable of doing all stable duties on their own, under general supervision.
• To be capable of riding a well mannered horse or pony out hunting, in horse trials/or other competitions, to look after a pony/horse before, during and after the days hunting or other activity.
• To be capable of riding another candidate's horse on the flat and make a realistic assessment of the horse.
• To ride sensibly and with due regard for others in the country, with a knowledge of pace, distance and discipline when riding alone and or in groups.
• NOTE: The syllabus for B Test includes all the work for previous Test Certificates.

RIDING

• Understand the meaning of BALANCE, IMPULSION, RHYTHM and TEMPO.
• Riders will be required to ride, access and discuss observations of another candidate's horse on the flat.
• Mount and dismount correctly.
• Established and balanced position at walk, trot, canter, gallop and over fences.
• Understand and apply the correct aids for the movements ridden during the test.
• Ride a horse at his basic paces, transitions, turns, circles and comment on the horse after working independently.
• Increase and decrease of paces.
• Quarter pirouette and leg yield.
• Work without stirrups at the discretion of the examiners.
• Canter change of leg through trot and simple change; canter, walk, canter.
• Ride with reins in either hand.
• Understand the action of the snaffle and double bridle.
• Ride in a double bridle in walk, trot, and canter.
• Jump a SJ course 95cm/1m including a related distance, a double and a bending line.
• Ride up and down steep hills, banks, ditches and drop fences at trot and canter.
• Gallop in balance and at cross country pace over short cross country course 6-8 fences with due regard to ground conditions.

HORSEMASTERSHIP

• Describe a horse, recognising good and bad points of conformation.
• Discuss how to get a horse fit for a One Day Event and relate to feeding.
• Discuss feeding and fittening charts and interval training.
• Know the rules of watering and feeding and be able to put them into practice.
• Identify the different types of forage And how to prepare them.
• Know the importance of grooming and the effect it has on the health of the horse.
• Be able put on a rug and put on a stable, travelling, exercise bandages and boots in common use.
• Prepare a horse for travel and be capable of loading and unloading a horse in a horsebox or trailer and discuss.
• Know when a horse is sick, injured or in poor condition e.g. strangles and flu and the most common causes.
• Know when a horse is lame and the most common causes and identify sites of common lameness e.g. splints
• When to use hot or cold treatments, suggested poultices.
• Know the structure of the horse's foot and lower leg. Be able to name parts of the lower leg and foot.
• Understand the methods of shoeing and the steps in removing a shoe. Know the reasons for a well balanced foot and the internal & external structure of the lower leg.
• Studs and their uses.
• Know how to fit, care for and clean saddlery, and check for safety and check for broken tree.
• Have some knowledge of stabling, ventilation, light, drainage, shelter and warmth.
• Demonstrate knowledge of fitting a double bridle and family's of bits and action.
• Seasonal management of field and benefits of good environmental practice.
• Discuss advantages of maintaining health and happiness in horses kept for competition and leisure.

READ
The Manual of Horsemanship
Training Young Horses
Rule books for I.P.C. Dressage, Show jumping and Horse Trials.
Grassland Management for Horse and Pony Owners. B.H.S.
The Complete Riding Manual by William Micklem
Look! No Hands - Straightforward Cross-country by Eric Smiley
VIEW
Pony Club Training Videos

Minimum age is 16 years (in year of test).
Disc Colour - Red

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