Thanks......I'm still on cloud nine
There were quite a few of us taking the exam and we were seperated into groups of 10.
We started with the theory part first, this is where we sat in a row with the examiner and answered all his questions and then the dreaded feed buckets came along. I had oats
Actually it wasn't as bad as I thought...... I would say it is better to have worked on a yard rather than just reading books. I know it's not nice to say, but you could tell the people who hadn't had hands on experience as their answers were practically word for word from a book and the examiner wanted more...........
Anyway after that it was the riding
You have to ride 2 different horses....Walk, trot & canter changing diagnals then walk & trot without stirrups
we seemed to be trotting without stirrups for ages. After that they put out 2 sets of trotting poles on each diagnal and we had to shorten stirrups and ride in the light seat position
After that we had to stand the horse square and lead it to the top, turn and trot back to the examiner as if it was a vets inspection. We then were asked to describe our horse and then mention the points of the horse.
When that was all over it was the practical. Tack up, groom, tail bandage, new zealand rug and rug and roller. The examiner would watch and ask if you thought the tack fitted correctly then name the tack etc etc... all the way through.........................
Then it was all over by 1.00pm
We got our results at about 1.45pm and that was it....... I'm saying that was it, I was soooooooooo nervous
The only thing that the examiner commented on was my riding, they said I was a bit tense and my right leg did move a little, oh and she said I didn't breathe.......They did say I relaxed a little by the time I was on the second horse
Anyway at least I know what I'm in for for Stage 2, although I have to take my riding & road safety first.
The examiners were nice actually and not everyone passed, but my advise would definately be....get hands on experience, even if it's only helping at a yard for a few weeks.
Thanks again
Good Luck qwerty with your exams, I hope you pass
