NAME………………………………. DOB…………………

A Badge will be awarded when 8 tasks have been competently completed.

Levels should be assessed by a person with relevant experience and/or qualifications. E.g. Pony Club C+ or above, B.H.S. Stages or other qualification, NVQ/SVQ level 2 or above BEV levels.

It is recommended that candidates keep a file of information relevant to subjects covered in this syllabus, so that they can increase their knowledge and understanding. Below each level are suggestions for fact sheets.

GREEN Level 1

Task / Date / Signed
1 / Identify straw and hay and explain the differences in appearance and usage
2 / Identify the mane, forelock, shoulder and withers
3 / Approach a horse that is held or tied up and stroke the shoulder or neck
4 / Name the colour of your vaulting horse
5 / Name five items of vaulting tack/equipment
6 / Name five other items of vaulting equipment
7 / Show how to hold a lunging whip for the lunger in the centre of the circle
8 / Show how to put a lunging whip away
9 / Name the type of bit used on your vaulting horse
10 / Name the type of noseband used on your vaulting horse

Fact Sheets: Points of the horse; Types of bits; Types of nosebands

PURPLE Level 2

Task / Date / Signed
1 / Confidently approach a horse and feed a carrot, apple or polo by hand
2 / Carry a bridle correctly
3 / Poop scoop in the arena
4 / Clean the horse’s bit after vaulting
5 / Clean out and fill two water buckets
6 / Demonstrate how to carry water buckets (always two for balance)
7 / Mix and feed a prepared feed to a horse
8 / Fill a haynet
9 / Explain how to measure a horse. State the height of a horse you know.
10 / Learn how to tie a quick release knot and say when it would be used

Fact Sheets: Types of feed; Measuring ponies and horses

NAME……………………………….

ORANGE Level 3

Task / Date / Signed
1 / Skip out a stable
2 / Remove brushing boots after vaulting
3 / Put on a headcollar
4 / Name 8 different colours of horses
5 / Identify four face markings
6 / Clean a roller, girth & side reins
7 / Pick out the front hooves
8 / Lead a horse correctly
9 / State how often a horse needs to be shod, wormed and inoculated
10 / Brush off a horse with a dandy brush or soft bristle brush

Fact Sheets: Different types of boots; Colours of horses; Face markings; Items of grooming kit; Quick release knot

RED Level 4

Task / Date / Signed
1 / Know what to look for in a horse that needs to be re shod.
2 / Tie a horse up with a quick release knot
3 / Remove a rug
4 / Wash a horse’s tail
5 / Muck out a stable with a straw bed
6 / Change a pad cover (back pad)
7 / Clean a bridle without taking it apart
8 / Identify the three main paces of a horse being lunged
9 / Describe the sequence of legs in trot
10 / Put exercise boots on a horse

Fact Sheets: The foot and shoeing; Care of a horse’s tail; Bridle parts; Paces of the horse and sequence of legs in all paces

BLUE Level 5

Task / Date / Signed
1 / Prepare a horse for travelling by putting on a tail guard and travel boots
2 / Clean out a lorry/trailer after a competition
3 / Name three items of feed in the feed room (or use samples)
4 / Pick out all four hooves
5 / Turn a horse out in a paddock
6 / Recognise when a horse is on the correct or wrong leading leg in canter
7 / Identify how to recognise a lame horse. State what you would do about it
8 / Describe how a horse shows he is unhappy or uncomfortable
9 / Put on a bridle with assistance (minimum 3 times)
10 / Lunge a horse in walk with no vaulters

Fact Sheets: Items of tack for travelling; Samples of feed; Reasons for Lameness

Name ……………………………….

BRONZE Level 7

Task / Date / Signed
1 / Wash a horse or pony
2 / Put down a suitable bed for a horse
3 / Fit side reins for walk and trot/canter
4 / Give indicators of horse in good health
5 / Correctly fit a snaffle bridle with cavesson noseband
6 / Correctly fit a flash noseband
7 / Put on a stable bandage or exercise bandage
8 / Name 5 suitable breeds or cross breeds of horses for vaulting
9 / Name points of the horse (minimum 15)
10 / Put on a stable rug or cooler rug (thermatex or fleece)

Fact Sheets: Bathing a horse; Types of bedding; Horse in good health and condition; Types of rugs

SILVER Level 8

Task / Date / Signed
1 / List what to look for in a horse suitable for vaulting
2 / Check and adjust vaulting tack after warm-up
3 / Describe rules for feeding and watering
4 / Muck out a stable that is of a bedding type other than straw e.g. shavings
5 / Lunge a horse for warm up in walk & trot – no vaulters
6 / Shorten a mane by pulling or using a solo comb
7 / Shorten a horse’s tail correctly to the length desired by the owner
8 / Find out the current cost of shoeing, bag of mix/nuts, bale of hay/haylage
9 / Lunge a horse for individual freestyle in walk
10 / Put on a NZ/turnout rug

Fact Sheets: Attributes of a good vaulting horse; Rules for feeding and watering; Ailments - Laminitis; Colic; Choke; Dehydration; Pulling a mane and tail

GOLD Level 9: Vaulter should be assisting with coaching within own sessions

Task / Date / Signed
1 / Fill in a risk assessment form for stable and yard area
2 / Lunge a horse for compulsories in canter (note BEV rules on age limit)
3 / Catch a horse in the field and lead it to stable/arena
4 / Identify when a horse is disunited
5 / Plait a horse’s mane and forelock with bands
6 / Fit running reins. Be aware of other alternative training aids.
7 / Know what tack is permitted in competitions (and what tack is not)
8 / Clean a gelding’s sheath
9 / Present a horse for vet inspection and do the trot up
10 / Colic – signs, symptoms, causes and treatment

Fact Sheets: Sample risk assessment form; Catching up and Turning out horses; Alternative training aids; Points to remember when trotting a horse up; Colic

PLATINUM Level 10: Vaulter must be able to prepare a horse for a vaulting session and be actively involved in coaching.

Task / Date / Signed
1 / Demonstrate knowledge of transporting horses long distances and abroad
2 / Plait a mane and forelock - stitching
3 / Plait a tail
4 / Organise a session plan for pre-novice/novice vaulters for one hour
5 / Fill in a risk assessment form for a vaulting session
6 / Know when to call the vet
7 / Clean a wound
8 / Lunge a horse for individual freestyle (note BEV rules on age limit)
9 / Load and unload a horse ( horsebox or trailer)
10 / Lunge a horse in a competition, showing correct procedures

Fact Sheets: Transporting horses; Plaiting manes and tails; How to treat a wound; How to treat a weeping eye; Recognise signs of a horse in distress/unwell; Know when to call the vet; minor ailments