1. Mount correctly.
Check tack for safety. Tighten girth and adjust stirrups using the arm to measure length. Move mounting block to left side of horse just behind girth. Shorten reins keeping right rein slightly shorter. Hold mane and reins in left hand take right hand and steady stirrup to mount place left foot in stirrup, right hand on cantle of saddle and step up swinging right leg over horse in one smooth movement (being careful not to kick horse). Sit down on knees and lower seat softly into the saddle. Place right foot in stirrup and adjust stirrups as needed.
2. Dismount correctly.
Halt horse away from the rail Remove both feet from stirrups take both reins in left hand short enough and slide down on belly until feet touch the ground. Run up stirrups, loosen girth 2 or 3 holes and lift cantle of saddle slightly. Take reins over the horses head to lead horse back to the barn.
3. Demonstrate how to hold the reins at walk and trot.
Be able to shorten and lengthen reins at both walk and trot Drop and pick up stirrups while standing without using hands to put feet in stirrups. Also walk once around ring without stirrups holding leg in correct position.
4. Walk and trot on lunge line with and without hands in the correct position.
Demonstrate body control.
5. Demonstrate jumping position on and off lunge line.
6. Walk off the lunge line with the correct position on the rail.
Position as shown in Pony club Manual D level (PCM L-D), page 29 walking on PCM L-D page 35.
7. Transition from walk to halt and halt to walk correctly.
PCM L-D page 35 (to halt squeeze legs - the pressure should be slight to steady the riders leg rather then to tell the horse to go on.)
8. Trot off the lunge line without assistance once around the ring.
Diagonals do not count. However, the rider should be able to describe what diagonals are, how to check them and how to fix them.
9. Demonstrate how to put the halter on the horse and how to lead and turn while leading correctly.
PCM L-D page 134: “Putting on a Halter” and page 135: “Leading a Pony Second Method”.
10. Tack and untack horse with assistance*
* with assistance - student does minimal amount of work, ie: to tighten girth assistant pulls billets, student puts pin in hole.
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