Assessment Requirements

Hayfield Riding Assessments can often seem a bit confusing to non -riders or new riders just beginning their riding career. Below is a detailed description of each standard and what the rider should be expected to know for each level. All Hayfield Instructors are very familiar with the structure and should there be any doubts about any of the information then do not hesitate to ask your instructor to explain.

Beginner Level
Adult Stage 1- Pink Ribbon

At this level, the rider should have mastered the basics which will allow them to lead their pony correctly, prepare their pony to mount, mounting and dismounting, preparing to ride off, and being able to control the pony in walk and halt. The rider should have a correct basic position and be able to have a little trot quite happily.

In order to mount, the rider should be able to put the reins over the horse's head, check the girth to make sure it is tight enough and make sure the left stirrup is long enough to mount with.

To mount correctly, the rider should have the reins and the mane in the left hand, the right hand on the front of the saddle. They should then put their left foot in the stirrup while facing the horse's tail and then hop round till facing the saddle. They can then spring up and swing their right leg over the horse's bottom before landing gently in the saddle.

The rider should be able to hold the reins correctly and adjust their stirrups to the correct length. The girth should be checked before moving off.
The rider should demonstrate the correct position by sitting up straight, keeping their heels down and holding their hands up and together. They should be looking ahead.

The rider should be able to use their legs to ask the horse to move and halt the horse correctly. The rider should also be aware of the correct headwear and footwear when riding.

Note: We are aware that little children may not be able to do all of the above - in which case they must be able to tell us how they are trying to do it.

Novice level 1
Adult Stage 2 - Mauve Ribbon

This level is a small step up from the first level but requires the rider to be much more proficient in the trot.
The rider should be able to turn and circle their pony and know the correct way to ask their pony to do this. They should also be able to ride good corners using cones to help them to go into them.

The rider should also now have more control of their horse and be able to ask it to change pace at an allotted marker and halt beside a pole on the ground.
The rider should now be comfortable in the sitting trot and also capable of riding in the rising trot confidently. They should also be able to change direction while maintaining the rising trot. The rider should also have some understanding of diagonals in trot. Rising trot is where the rider sits to one beat and rises to the other in the trot. The rider should always sit as the horse's outside front shoulder comes back. This allows the horse's back legs to push forward more effectively. The outside leg or shoulder is the one nearest to the wall.

The rider should also be able to carry a whip correctly in the left hand and know why they have it.

By now, the rider should have completed some stable management such as the 'Stable Safety Course'.

Novice Level 1
Adult Stage 3 - Mauve + Ribbon

This level carries on very much from the mauve ribbon with similar requirements that are expected to be performed with higher proficiency.
Riders should now be able to mount without any assistance and should be able to help other riders mount by giving them a leg up, or by holding another horse's head while someone mounts up.

The rider must now demonstrate knowledge of the 'school rules' and be able to use them when working in open order. They ensure the riders can pass each other safely and correctly by passing 'left hand to left hand', and encourage riders to look up and around the arena so they can make way for other riders. This is much harder than working in a ride as the rider must have full control of their own horse and be able to prevent it from following the other horses.

Riders should now be able to ride turns, circles and other basic school movements such as three loop serpentines correctly as well as describing how they are asking their horse to do it.

The rider should now also be capable of riding in walk without stirrups and able to have a little trot without stirrups as well.
The rider's position in the saddle should now be correct and the rider should be able to keep this position most of the time. The rider should also be able to change their short whip into the other hand correctly.

The rider should be now able to ride a deep corner without the help of markers and should be showing more understanding of their diagonals. They should be on the correct diagonal most of the time or be able to recognize when they are on the wrong diagonal.

The rider should have now either completed the 'Stable safety Course' or Stable management 1.

Activities: Riders can now start to enjoy Pony Club games which are great fun and develop confidence.

Novice Level 2
Adult Stage 4 - Green Ribbon

This level is a fairly big leap from the last level as now the rider is expected to be competent in the canter and hold some understanding of it as well. By now, the rider should be starting to have some awareness of how horses behave when ridden and why this is. This is to help riders understand why their horse does not always follow the rider's instruction and help to show them that it is not always that rider has done something wrong but more to do with how horses behave and respond naturally.

Riders will by now have some experience of riding outside and should be aware of the correct behaviour when riding out on public land. (Country Code)
Riders should be now correctly dressed for riding with correct footwear and a correctly fitting hat with the hair tied back if necessary. They should also be aware (if they do not wear them already) that a rider should also be wearing Jodhpurs, a neat top and gloves when riding.
The rider should be able to mount correctly without making any mistakes and their position in the saddle should be secure and balanced.
The Rider should also know the horse's leg sequence in walk and trot which is to say the order in which the horse's legs move in.

The rider should now be confident in the trot and should be able to use their diagonals correctly when trotting at all times. They should also be comfortable trotting without their stirrups and be able to ride turns, circles and basic school movements without them.

The Canter is an important part of this level and the rider should be aware of how to ask the horse to canter correctly and be able to describe the aids they use to do this. The rider should be comfortable and secure cantering in both directions and should be able to recognize if the horse is cantering on the correct leg. When the horse canters, the inside front leg stretches further than the outside front leg and this means the horse is on the correct canter lead.
The rider should also have participated in the 'Horse Care' course or Stable Management 2.

Activity: Games are still being enjoyed.
Tricycling - This automatically introduces the riders to school movements and dressage and encourages team performance and spirit.

Novice Level 2
Adult Stage 5 - Green + Ribbon

This level is a summary of everything that has been learnt up until this point and the rider is expected to be confident and secure in all paces with and without stirrups.

The rider should by now be able to check their horse's tack before mounting to make sure that the saddle is in the correct position on the horse's back, and that the bridle is correctly fitted.

Their position should now be balanced and relaxed and they should have developed a secure seat in the saddle. There should be no lack of confidence or security when working in canter without their stirrups and on the flat or on turns and circles. This is the biggest step up from the previous ribbon as cantering a circle without stirrups is a lot more challenging than cantering on a straight line. This ribbon requires the rider to be more balanced and to be able to maintain their balance independently of the reins and without gripping with their legs.

The rider should recognize the correct diagonal at all times and should be able to recognize correct and incorrect canter leads.

The rider should have completed the 'Horse Care' course or Stable Management Three.

Activity: Tricycling and Team dressage leading to individual performance.
Early pole work in preparation for jumping and introduction to jumping position.

Jumping Level 1
Adult Stage 6 - Blue Ribbon

Having gained the confidence, security and balance from having a good riding position, riders are ready to start jumping. Please note: Hayfield will not allow riders to start jumping until they are safe to do so even if other schools do.

After the preliminary practice over a single fence, almost all jumping training will focus on a jumping grid (line of fences), holding the mane or a neck strap until the rider develops balance and confidence. The outcome: The rider will be able to ride correctly to a fence at a suitable pace and demonstrate a balanced jumping position over the fence.

The rider's position is now also expected to be secure and they should have developed a 'deeper seat' which allows them to maintain it even if the horse should be behaving less predictably. This also will allow the rider to easily and confidently maintain the correct position at all three paces without stirrups. The rider should also know the correct leg sequence in canter.

Earlier dressage work and tricycling will have given the rider the experience of riding dressage movements of preliminary level. Riders will be expected to ride these movements and show an understanding of non progressive transitions and what constitutes a good transition (change of pace or tempo).
The rider should now be able to tack up their horse for a lesson and have also passed the 'Horse Care' course or Stable Management Three.
Activity: Riding across country without jumps but at greater speed.

Jumping Level 2
Adult Stage 7 - Blue + Ribbon

At this level, jumping is now the main focus as the rider's flatwork should now have reached a competent enough level to allow them to do so.
The rider is now expected to be able to jump a short course of two or three fences in an enclosed arena. This requires the rider to maintain a good pace and rhythm between the fences as well as jumping the fences in a competent manner.

The rider's jumping position is now expected to be more advanced and independent of the reins. The rider should be able to allow the reins over a fence by giving with their hands so that they follow the movement of the horse's head and neck. The rider's leg position is expected to be secure with the weight down into the heel to allow them to stay in balance with the horse over a fence.

The rider's seat and position during flatwork is also assessed again as the rider is now expected to have ridden outside in a field in all three paces and to have ridden up and down hills. Riding outside is very different to riding inside a closed arena as the environment is not controlled and horses tend to be much livelier outside. The rider's position should therefore allow them to be able to deal with a more excitable horse and should allow them to ride at a faster pace. The rider should have ridden up and down hills as this demonstrates that they are in balance with the horse.

The rider should also be able to show how to run up a horse 'in hand' correctly as it demonstrates control and confidence on the ground.

Activity: Grid Jumping - Six bar challenge

Semi - Advanced
Adult Stage 8 - Yellow Ribbon

This level is another big step up as the rider is expected to have gained a fuller understanding of how the horse goes and also have a much greater degree of control.

The rider should now be capable of riding preliminary dressage movements which are movements from the first level of dressage. This includes riding on a long rein at a free walk which allows the horse to stretch and demonstrates that the horse is working correctly.

The rider should be able to ride with the reins in one hand which shows that the rider is using their legs correctly to steer the horse and are not relying too much on the rein to assist them. Following on from this, the rider is expected to be able to coordinate their hand and leg aids correctly allowing them to ride the horse forward off the leg so they take a contact with the reins. The rider should maintain an even rein contact at all times and their hands should be soft and allowing rather than restrictive. The rider's seat should be well developed enough to be free from the need to use the reins for balance.

The rider's seat and leg position should now also be more sophisticated. The rider should sit in the center of the saddle with the weight balanced evenly on both seat bones. This allows them to more effectively influence the horse's movement. The rider's legs should be in line with the rest of the body, with the knee open and relaxed. The heel should be down and the leg should be closed around the horse's sides.

The rider should also be able to show differences within the horse's paces by shortening and lengthening the horse's stride at all paces. The rider is now showing that they can affect the way the horse goes rather than just being a passenger.

At this level, the rider is also expected to be able to jump a short course of two of three fences in the open as part of a balanced performance.

The rider should also be able to correctly use a long stick and be able to change it over correctly as well.

Horse care - Care of the grass kept horse.

Activity: Jumping a variety of individual cross country fences.

Semi - Advanced
Adult Stage 9 - Yellow + Ribbon

This level can be seen as a bit of a landmark as the rider can now truly call themselves a 'Rider'. From now on learning involves the development of skills needed to ride more spirited horses, difficult horses and those less predictable than the schoolmasters encountered in early learning.
The work at this level is primarily flat work concentrating on learning dressage movements and exercises which influences the way that the horse goes both on the flat and over fences.

The rider should now be working the horse correctly into a good outline and their position should enable the horse to work well without hindering it. The rider is now expected to ride serpentines in all three paces which involves simple change of canter leads and tighter turns which means that the horse needs to be more collected and well balanced.

The rider's position must be correct throughout and the rider should be riding at a flatwork length stirrup which requires a longer stirrup and longer length of leg. The rider should be balanced and able to move with the horse's rhythm to enable it to work in a softer and rounder shape. The rider should now assist the horse as opposed to restricting the horse's movement.

The rider should also be able to confidently ride simple lateral movements from and in walk such as Turn on the Forehand, Leg Yielding and shoulder in. Above all they should understand the importance of straightness in the horse and be beginning to look for a moment of suspension in the stride.
In recognition of the need to put more riding hours in at this level, riders are encouraged to assist their coaches helping to teach the more basic classes. There is a system enabling them to gain points for their efforts with the points counting towards extra riding opportunities as well as extra coaching.

Horse Care: All horse care learning from this level is focused towards horse ownership.
Activity: Jumping a cross country course at a good forward pace with balance and rhythm.

Team Rider
Adult Stage 10 - Red Ribbon

Although recognizing that not all riders wish to develop in the field of competition as riders progress to this level they will be encouraged to compete on Hayfield horses in local competitions within a 35 mile radius. Those who shun competition work can become involved in the training of young horses and the correction of naughty ones!

It is important that riders are now able to vocalise their thoughts and discuss the horses, pointing out both good and bad attributes that each horse has. This demonstrates that the rider is now a 'thinking' rider as well as a 'doing' one.

Jumping training progresses with the rider's ability to govern stride length and elevation and in line with that the pupils need to understand more about the distances between fences. Flatwork progresses to cover travers, and shoulder in all paces and Demi pirouette and spiraling circles to shorten and collect the canter.

The rider should also have lunged a quiet horse in an enclosed arena and be aware of the values of lunging and how to get a horse ready to lunge.

Bronze Award

This level is a direct extension of the previous one and looks to see that the rider has become established in working and assessing different types of horses and has had some more competition experience.

The rider is now required to work and assess two horse of a different type and have a clear understanding of the way each horse goes. The rider should now be able to have a clear vision of what they like and dislike in a horse and be able to identify any difficulties a horse may have or any faults in the way that they go. They should be sympathetic to any problems and be able to ride the horse in a manner that may improve it or be of benefit to the horse.
The rider should be continuing their education of lateral work and now be able to perform Shoulder In on both reins. The rider must now have a good understanding of how the horse bends as well as be able to evaluate straightness in order to be able to prepare the horse correctly to perform these movements.

The rider should now have competed more widely and at competitions out with Hayfield in both dressage and jumping.
The rider should also have completed one of the Specialist Badges of their choice. #

Silver Award

At this level the rider should now be able to ride horses to improve their way of going and should have a more extensive knowledge of exercises that may benefit them and how the exercise works to achieve this.

The rider should be now capable of riding movements from a Novice level dressage test, Discovery jumping and intro eventing.
Riders at this level are expected to be able and confident when riding horses that buck, nap, and generally misbehave whether inside or out. It is expected that in doing so the rider does not rely on the reins for security and is able to ride the buck out of the horse (not pull it's head up) and in particular have a napping horse mend it's ways.

Gold Award

This award is the highest award that can be achieved at Hayfield and as a result demands a high standard of riding and conduct overall. The rider is now expected to be able to train a horse rather than just ride it. In assessing the horse they are expected to understand from its conformation, age, temperament and fitness what they might reasonably expect from it. They should be able to plan out a fittening and training schedule to prepare a horse for a specific event.
Riders are expected to be able to deal with horses which rear and bolt and at competition level they must now have competed successfully (to have completed three of each event) in a One Day Event at a Pre - Novice level, dressage at elementary and show jumping at Newcomer height.

Consideration will be given to the following:
That riders may not come up to standard in one of the above but who show considerable ability in any other form of riding may be accepted as "up to scratch" for this level. Other aspects might be - Western riding, endurance, driving, point to point, steeplechase, polo, showing, dressage, horse training, vaulting, show jumping, tetrathlon, games and polo cross, teaching.

In addition, disabled riders will be given special consideration by being judged on merit and comparative ability.
Past pupils may be awarded this award after they have left Hayfield in recognition of their later accomplishments in the equestrian field.