Level 1 assessment - doing the video

[cvb]

well as possibly one of the people who have taken the longest time to get around to getting their L1 assessed, I had this weekend planned to do some videoing, as my other half was over from Sweden to operate the camcorder :D

He didn't really know what was required, so we had a bit of a rehearsal on Saturday. Which was very useful to check out things I don't do as often as I should...

like backing out of a gate. I used our arena gate, which normally has a plank across it. Fi was a bit concerned that the plank was still there so we had to yo-yo a few times to reassure her it was ok.

I also decided that the dressage saddle was not secure enough to do all the ridden tasks, so planned to use the western one the following day.

Only we had a few problems with the camera batteries so actually just managed to get most of the groundwork covered (except trailer loading) before they gave up on us.

But boy do I ache today ! You forget how energetic doing the full thing is :rolleyes:

The only reason we didn't do trailer loading is that a neighbour had a crisis with their trailer and borrowed ours. So I may manage to do something one evening this week if battery and weather permit !

I'm still unsure about getting the ridden tasks down as the western saddle is not the best fit, and Fi is still a little sore in her back. But the dressage saddle is just not very stable/secure when we do the 3 stepping-ups for mounting and so on... not a great way to ask a sore horse to trust her person.... so maybe I'll submit groundwork only as a start....

After the battery gave out I carried out practicing some of the ridden work and Fi is definately less happy with her lateral flexion since her back has been sore :( poor girl - doesn't stop her leaping around in the field like a maniac tho ! :rolleyes:

[Jacquie]

Well done you...... :D

Your right cvb, when you do all the tasks together it certainly takes it out of you - especially when your concentrating on getting them as good as possible!!!!

Quote:
I'm still unsure about getting the ridden tasks down as the western saddle is not the best fit, and Fi is still a little sore in her back. But the dressage saddle is just not very stable/secure when we do the 3 stepping-ups for mounting and so on... not a great way to ask a sore horse to trust her person.... so maybe I'll submit groundwork only as a start....

Did you know you are allowed to do this task from a mounting block? I passed the task on my L1 assement by standing an old car tyre to give me that extra bit of height (I'm 5' 2' TB's 16.2hh). As long as you and Fi can meet the assessment criteria it doesn't matter if you use an aid.

It should be easier for you doing it this way and also more comfortable for Fi while she's got a sore back.

Good luck :)

[cvb]

Jacquie

Yes I knew about the mounting block - I have a knee that I've injured before.

But where with the western saddle I can happily get my weight central (before I take my leg over) and hence know that I'm not messy around with her back (and without the cinch tightened to silly degrees), with the dressage saddle its not staying central - which kicks of worries on my part about both her back and my knee ! And for the assessment I need to clearly show the up-and-down element.

She is VERY wide :D
I guess this is also a factor in getting my centre of gravity "over" the saddle rather than to the side and into one stirrup :(

I "rehearsed" on my mum's Fell as well. I don't formally do Parelli with him, as I don't get much time with him. His groundwork needs some refinement to say the least - but I just hopped on and rode him in the halter with one rope and he just did as he was asked ! I was very impressed with him - just wish I could do the groundwork with Fi and the ridden with Duds as I'd be sorted then ;) But on groundwork Duds is pretty much "pre-level 1" on everything - his "star" game is sideways which he is very good at. But yo-yo is his worst.

[michelle c]

hi cvb, GOOD LUCK!!! :p im going to do my ridden tasks in a few weeks, i have already passed my ground ones :D ! i too have problems with the mount ing, saddle slopping so am going to use a block :mad: let us know when you pass although it takes a while to get assesed

[Jacquie]

I was very impressed with him - just wish I could do the groundwork with Fi and the ridden with Duds as I'd be sorted then ;) But on groundwork Duds is pretty much "pre-level 1" on everything - his "star" game is sideways which he is very good at. But yo-yo is his worst.


cvb, you are definately allowed to use more than one horse for an L1 assessment, This was confirmed to me last year by the PNH Head Office, they told me it's the handler that's assessed not the horse and therefore 'stand in's' are permitted.

So you could do the groundwork with Fi and the ridden tasks on Dud's.

Seems like your wish has come true. :D

[cvb]

temptation - get thee behind me !!

Seriously - it'll be Fi I do any L2 with, so in the end I have to sort it anyway.

But I might get the ridden stuff with Duds videoed and send it off and see what they say - explaining about her sore back n all.

Seems a bit more Savvy really ;)

[Jacquie]

If your sending Fi's L1 groundwork video for assessment, you might as well include the ridden tasks on Duds because it will only cost the same amount either way.

Go for it girl.......and good luck :D

[cvb]

My local co-co reckons its NOT possible to use more than one horse :confused:

[michelle c]

cvb or jacquie!!!

when you mount 3 times from each side do you actually sit on your horse after the first 3 then do the other 3 on the other side? also do you use 2 blocks one each side? thanx

[cvb]

bearing ion mind I haven't been assessed yet ! I would "ask" on the 3rd time and hence sit down. And then repeat the other side.

Right now my mounting block consists of 3 milk crates - 2 as lower level and one on top. We also have a fancy wooden one but its at the stables not in the arena (which is outdoors).

May have to modify for safety so the crates are stable on soft sand :rolleyes: I use a mounting block cos of previous knee damage - so the last thing I need is a wobbly block :rolleyes:

[Jacquie]

My local co-co reckons its NOT possible to use more than one horse :confused:

With respect cvb, your co-co, like us is only a PNH student - not an assessor.

I actually got confirmation from Ali Jones (2* Instructor) that you are allowed to use two horses for your assessment.

[Jacquie]

cvb or jacquie!!!

when you mount 3 times from each side do you actually sit on your horse after the first 3 then do the other 3 on the other side? also do you use 2 blocks one each side? thanx

You step up and down three times and on the third step up you mount. With regards to the mounting block, you only use one and when you've dimounted, stay on the block and ask your horse to turn so he's facing the opposite direction then repeat the step up process. ;)

[cvb]

With respect cvb, your co-co, like us is only a PNH student - not an assessor.

I actually got confirmation from Ali Jones (2* Instructor) that you are allowed to use two horses for your assessment.

Jacquie, wasn't questionning you, just confused ! (whats new !)

What I'll probably do is see how the time goes. First priority will be trailer loading with Fi. If it then takes ages to get ridden work with Duds videoed, I may as well send it off now as wait. But if I get a "window" to film in, I may as well bung it on, explain it - and its up to them whether they take it in to account or not...

[michelle c]

jacquie:

i thought mounting three times on each side was to see if the horse can stay still and not move!!?

also for the first time i got 2 people to mount her doing the 3 times each side while i held the stirrup and she stood perfectly still!!!!! :D :D i will hav to change saddles from a treeless to a treed saddle coz even with a block the saddle still slips!! cant wait for the weekend coz hopefully videoing the tasks

[Jacquie]

jacquie:
i thought mounting three times on each side was to see if the horse can stay still and not move!!?

Your right, this is partly why you step up and down three times before mounting. But on my live assessment I was instructed to turn my horse to face the opposite direction without getting of the tyre.

This was probably because it showed if I was capable of directing my horse to the correct position without moving my feet around to much.

It could be not all assessors ask you to do the task this way, so it's best to check with the instructor who will be assessing your tape. ;)

Good luck :)

[michelle c]

I GOT MY LEVEL 1 RIDDEN SKILLS VIDEOED ON THE WEEKEND!!!!!! :D :D :D


all i have to do is transfer it to tape which i will do this week and then get it sent off, i cant wait. i think i have done everything good and have passed. in the end i got someone to hold my stirrup while i mounted coz the saddle just slipped!! :(

where do i send my tape to now coz it has changed?

[Jacquie]

Drum roll.......drum roll.........drum roll.................

Well done Michelle and good luck :D

You can now only send level three tapes to head office for assessment, Inge Sainsbury and Ali Jones assess L1 and L2.

If you get onto the PNH website you'll find their email addresses on their website (under instructors).

[michelle c]

thanx. i am sooooo extatic!!! :D it has took me a year to do level 1 coz meg was a very trubled girl (partly me not understanding her and her opposition reflexes and dominance over me) BUT i finally got there, there has been times when i think whats the point but i now know to stick in and keep going for both our sakes!!!! :D :D do we still recieve the certificate and string?

[Jacquie]

there has been times when i think whats the point but i now know to stick in and keep going for both our sakes!!!! :D :D do we still recieve the certificate and string?

I think everyone has felt like that at one stage or another but you only have to see the slightest try om your horses part to make you realise it's all worth while. :D

Yes, you do still receive the RED STRING, GRADUATION CERTIFICATE, BADGE and YOUR NAME IN THE SAVVY MAG when you pass L1.

But what has changed is (assuming you are a PNH member) your no longer automaticly sent the Harmony (L2) pack when you pass the Partnership (L1), instead you now receive tokens to redeem for either the pack, workshops, lessons etc. :)

[michelle c]

thanx jacquie, i didnt know you get a badge! it is a bit annoying not getting the next pack automatically because it will take longer now to get it because the have to send the vouchers and then you have to send them back, it seems a bit silly :mad:

[Jacquie]

Maybe it would be a good idea to put a note in with your video tape asking the instructor, that if you pass L1 could she inform HO that you have chosen to receive the Harmony pack. ;)

.

[cvb]

beginning to think I'm jinxed - this weekend my mum broke her arm :eek: :(

so progress will be slowed as I need to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid while she's in a cast...

[michelle c]

jacquie

OH i didnt think of that! :p i will do that then

cvb

what happened to your mam

[cvb]

cos of the bad weather, the horses were still in over night. She was going in to Duds stable to get his bowl to do breakfast. As she went in, he threw his head up and went backwards, clouting her in the face and throwing her (literally) across the stable. She had a bloody nose... and a broken wrist. Its the typical break where people put their arm out to save themselves, tho in this case I think her arm was extended already, rather than put out as she fell :(

The bones were crushed so they had to wire her back together :eek: Its her right arm and she's broken it before.

Needless to say they are now out at night, and I'm doing them before I go to work, and when I get back.