To all Canadian riders!

[Keket]

Has anyone here done the Equine Canada English Rider Prep Course since it's been revamped into ten levels? I'm going for my Western Rider Level 1 next week, but I'm going to go for English levels after that. Or is it just in Nova Scotia that it's been changed?

[ponytude]

Hmmm... Ok, I Did my Rider English Level One last fall and am planning on doing my Rider English Level Two this up coming fall... This is because our barn owner said that the OEF (Ontario Equestrian Federation) has NOT yet switched over into the ten levels yet but if those of us get or riders one and twos done before they do proceed with this then we have a few other levels under our belts apparently.

Good Luck with your Testing next week! :) Hope this helped... but I know the answers should vary with provinces....

[ExtendedTrot]

I took my first level (old system) last year and have been thinking about tyring for a couple more levels. As far as I know, there are still testers out there who are testing by the old standards. The new levels are so simplistic and way more gradual than the older levels, therefore what I was thinking I would do would be challenge for a higher level. In your case, challenge for say new level 3, they will give you what they think is appropriate. I can't remember the equivilants (old level 1 compared to new levels 1,2,3,4 for example). I don't know about anyone else, but I don't like the new levels, I find that they are too general and they aren't challenging enough as they get higher...just my opinion I guess

[Keket]

I find that they are too general and they aren't challenging enough as they get higher...just my opinion I guess

I agree. I've looked at the old and new levels and the new ones aren't specific at all. They talk more about what you should wear than what you should know. I'm not sur what I'll be asked at all. All I know is that at level one you should be able to post, at level two you should post on the correct diaganol, and past level four is fence work. Besides that, I have no idea. I pretty much have to try for them though, because I want to work with horses in other countries and if I can show that I'm certified, it'll help in getting hired.

[ponytude]

I agree. I've looked at the old and new levels and the new ones aren't specific at all. They talk more about what you should wear than what you should know. I'm not sur what I'll be asked at all. All I know is that at level one you should be able to post, at level two you should post on the correct diaganol, and past level four is fence work. Besides that, I have no idea. I pretty much have to try for them though, because I want to work with horses in other countries and if I can show that I'm certified, it'll help in getting hired.


You inspired me to check out when they are switching the levels for me and it says May of 2006. But they also include a very nice description of each level. Though I am going to get my rider 2 this year (Hopefully :D) but by looking at these new level descriptions I think I would be at Rider 7. Like I know I can do the courses foffr Rider 8 (I believe :) ) but Seven would be probably what I would be tested at.

Here are the descriptions for them OEF for the new levels.

The following has been borrowed the OEF website (http://www.horse.on.ca/programs/rider_level/new_english_rider_program.html)

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF EACH LEVEL
OF THE NEW ENGLISH LEARN TO RIDE 1-10 PROGRAM

Rider 1

The Rider at Rider 1 level should be in the beginning stages of their Equestrian development. At the Rider 1 level, the Riders are well started with their basics of Riding and demonstrate good position, knowledge of “aids” and an appreciation for “safe” habits.



A Rider 1 should be able to change their diagonals when asked but may not necessarily know if they are rising on the correct diagonal.



Safety and a willingness to learn about their horse should be emphasized at this level.



Rider 2
The Rider 2 will demonstrate more polish and knowledge than the Rider 1 and will be more independent in both their riding and in their stable management skills.



Rider 3
At the Rider 3 level, Riders will now demonstrate the ability to ride independently. Riders would ride with little or no contact. The movements should be demonstrated with accuracy, although loss of bend etc. is to be expected at this level. Although Riders are now expected to ride an individual flat test, other horses should be in the vicinity so riders will not have to deal with a panicked, lonely horse.



Riders are expected to know how to demonstrate knowledge of correct diagonals throughout the riding portion, including in the “jumping” phase.



Rider 4

At this level, Riders are beginning to use aids independently and demonstrate bend although not necessarily maintain bend in the canter. The Rider must be able to recognize an incorrect lead within a few steps and correct it without delay. Riders at Rider 4 will have an awareness of the concept of bend because the riders will do an independent warm up with more than one rider in the arena at a time, knowledge of arena rules is necessary. Riders are expected to ride jumps at a height of 2 feet.



Rider 5
Riders at this level should have a solid awareness of “forward” and be able to recognize “tracking up” or lack there of, in the other horses in the test. Riders will be able to demonstrate “tracking up” but are not expected to be able to maintain it throughout their ride. Riders at this level will be jumping fences at a height of 2’3”.



Rider 6
The Rider 6 will demonstrate the ability to ride forward and have horse “track up” at trot through most of the flat ride. Horse need not be on contact or in a frame at this stage. Rider 6 will jump fences of 2’6”.



Rider 7
Riders at this level should now be demonstrating working trot throughout the flat test and a true three beat canter. It is important that examiners compare each rider to the standard for the level and not to each other. The Rider 7 is a well-rounded rider on the flat although perhaps cannot maintain all of the classic qualities throughout the full test. By this level, the rider should have an obvious understanding of riding forward to light contact and demonstrate same. Riders should understand that elevation at the poll is desirable over the trend of the horse breaking at the third vertebrae to give false frame. Over fences the Rider 7 is effective although they may not be mounted on horses that are suited to competition.



Rider 8
The Rider 8 will be able to demonstrate quality in all paces. The walk is to be four beats. The Rider 8 will be able to demonstrate 3 definite trot, working, shortened and lengthened. Canter will be forward and three beats, demonstrating some shortening and lengthening of stride. The horse does not necessarily have to be on a solid contact at all times but will have to be in order to demonstrate all of the paces required. Over fences, the Rider 8 will jump medal type courses 2’9” - 3’, with confidence and authority. The Rider 8 should be able to influence the horse in a positive fashion and improve his way of going.



Rider 9, 10
Not available in 2005. At the present time it is anticipated that Rider 9 will equal the Stable Management and Riding requirements presently in place for Coach 1 Level and Rider 10 similarly for Coach 2.

[ExtendedTrot]

If you read the discriptions (from what ponytude posted or also what I found off the NSEF website) the discriptions sound like they were written more for the examiner than the rider (I think that this is kind of what Keket was getting at in her last post) It goes into too much detail as to what they will be looking for.

On another note there are (in my opinion) too many exceptions. Should arena rules not be something mandetory for level 1? Because it only begins to be mentioned in level 4, the first 3 levels say that there should be an arena assistant to ensure the safety of riders :eek:

Rider level 6 also mentioned something that I thought was interesting

"The Rider 6 will demonstrate the ability to ride forward and have horse “track up” at trot through most of the flat ride. Horse need not be on contact or in a frame at this stage.
The examiner should give consideration to a candidate who is riding a horse who is incapable of “tracking up” but the candidate is riding the horse as forward as the horse's ability allows."

So tracking up is a requirement in this level, unless the horse can't do it? I think there was somehting along the same lines as this in regards to jumping (rider should be able to jump so high confidently, but it must be taken into consideration that rider may not be riding a horse that can jump this high).
My trainer and a couple of my friends had a discussion about this at the barn a while ago and simply put, if your horse can't do it for the test why not find a horse that CAN do it, in order to be tested fairly. My horse has not been trained to jump so I would not take her into any level higher than 3, it's just not fair to myself or other riders. If I am supposed to prove that I can jump, I will borrow a horse that can jump.

It's like going into and english exam and having the teacher say "well, I know that not all of you know how to spell, or know where to put proper punctiation, so I will take that into consideration when I mark the exam"

I don't understand why they think they should add all of this into the riders description. Shouldn't this be something that should be taken relitivily seriously? If so why are there so any exceptions that are available to riders? If you shouldn't get the level, they shouldn't make pathways to enable you to get the level, and if you should get the level, you should be prepared with all the necessary tools to show that you deserve the level.