Ride Horses over Fences — BHS Qualifications Occupational Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision

    This element focuses on the advanced skills required to ride horses over fences, encompassing both show jumping and cross-country disciplines. Learners wil

    Topic Synopsis

    This element focuses on the advanced skills required to ride horses over fences, encompassing both show jumping and cross-country disciplines. Learners will develop the ability to strategically walk courses, prepare horses through gridwork, negotiate courses up to 1m and 0.9m respectively, and critically evaluate and progress the horse's performance. Mastery of these competencies ensures safe, effective, and competitive riding across varied terrains and fence types.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Ride Horses over Fences

    BHS QUALIFICATIONS
    vocational

    This element focuses on the advanced skills required to ride horses over fences, encompassing both show jumping and cross-country disciplines. Learners will develop the ability to strategically walk courses, prepare horses through gridwork, negotiate courses up to 1m and 0.9m respectively, and critically evaluate and progress the horse's performance. Mastery of these competencies ensures safe, effective, and competitive riding across varied terrains and fence types.

    12
    Learning Outcomes
    9
    Assessment Guidance
    10
    Key Skills
    12
    Key Terms
    11
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    BHSQ Level 3 Diploma in BHS Riding Horses
    BHSQ Level 4 Diploma In BHS Riding and Training Horses

    Topic Overview

    The BHSQ Level 3 Diploma in BHS Riding Horses is a comprehensive qualification designed for individuals aiming to become competent, professional riders. It covers advanced riding techniques, horse care, and stable management, ensuring candidates can ride a variety of horses safely and effectively in different environments. This diploma is a key step for those pursuing careers as riding instructors, competition riders, or equine managers.

    Candidates develop skills in riding school horses, improving their position, aids, and ability to influence the horse's way of going. The qualification also emphasizes understanding the horse's biomechanics, training principles, and the importance of sympathetic, ethical riding. It integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing students for the BHS Stage 3 Riding assessment and beyond.

    This diploma sits within the broader BHS Qualifications framework, providing a solid foundation for further study, such as the BHS Stage 4 or teaching qualifications. It is recognized by employers in the equine industry, making it a valuable asset for career progression. Mastery of this level demonstrates a rider's ability to ride horses that are more challenging and to train them progressively.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Effective use of the seat, legs, and hands to influence the horse's balance, rhythm, and straightness.
    • →Understanding the horse's natural paces and how to improve them through systematic training (e.g., transitions, lateral work).
    • →Riding in an independent, secure position that allows for subtle, effective aids without disturbing the horse.
    • →Application of the training scale (rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, collection) to develop the horse.
    • →Safe and ethical riding practices, including risk assessment, fitting of tack, and recognition of lameness or discomfort.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Analyse a show jumping course layout to determine optimal riding lines and stride patterns.
    • Execute a progressive grid of fences to enhance equine athleticism and rider coordination.
    • Ride a full course of show jumps up to 1m demonstrating controlled rhythm, balance, and effective use of aids.
    • Negotiate a cross-country course up to 0.9m adapting pace and position to varying terrain and obstacles.
    • Evaluate a horse’s jumping performance to identify strengths, weaknesses, and formulate a developmental training plan.
    • Walk a cross-country course to assess fence approaches, combinations, and ground conditions for safe riding.
    • Analyse the technical demands of show jumping and cross-country courses at Newcomers and Novice levels
    • Design and implement gymnastic exercises to improve the horse’s bascule and adjustability
    • Ride a show jumping round demonstrating effective use of pace, line, and balance to achieve clear rounds
    • Evaluate a horse’s way of going over cross-country fences, including galloping technique and confidence
    • Assess and adapt training strategies based on the horse’s responses and performance under competition-like conditions
    • Demonstrate correct course walking techniques and apply them to ride distances accurately

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for accurate stride calculation while walking a course, including related distances.
    • Look for consistent, secure lower leg position throughout the jumping phase.
    • Assess the rider’s ability to maintain a quality canter that can be adjusted without resistance before fences.
    • Check for effective weight aids and hand positioning when riding related distances and combinations.
    • In cross-country, credit appropriate use of safety equipment and demonstrating independent balance over terrain.
    • In evaluation, mark for constructive post-ride analysis linking performance to clear training adjustments.
    • Award credit for demonstrating a correct and stable jumping position through all phases of the jump
    • Credit for accurate assessment of the horse’s strengths and weaknesses with specific examples from the ride
    • Evidence of appropriate warm-up exercises tailored to the horse’s needs before jumping
    • Clear justification of training selections linked to the requirements of Newcomers and Novice levels
    • Award credit for managing the horse’s energy and pace effectively during cross-country, including use of half-halts and galloping position

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Practice course walking with a tape measure and set distances to consolidate stride estimation skills.
    • 💡Video your jumping sessions to self-critique position and the effectiveness of aids.
    • 💡In gridwork, prioritise rhythm and balance over height to build a solid foundation.
    • 💡For cross-country, simulate competition conditions in training to improve decision-making under pressure.
    • 💡Keep a training diary to track performance trends and evidence reflective practice in evaluations.
    • 💡Ensure your training plan includes progressive exercises that address specific jumping weaknesses, such as building gymnastic grids
    • 💡When riding for assessment, prioritise rhythm and an elastic contact over large, flashy jumps; assessors value quality of canter
    • 💡Practice verbalising your observational analysis during schooling sessions to prepare for oral evaluation or written reports
    • 💡Familiarise yourself with the rules and technical specifications of Newcomers and Novice level competitions to inform your training goals
    • 💡Focus on the quality of transitions (upward and downward) as they are a key indicator of the horse's training and the rider's effectiveness. Ensure transitions are smooth, balanced, and prompt.
    • 💡Demonstrate an independent seat by riding without stirrups at walk and trot. This shows the examiner your stability and ability to use aids without gripping.
    • 💡When riding a school horse, adapt your aids to the individual horse's needs. Show that you can assess and respond to the horse's way of going, rather than applying a rigid technique.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Miscalculating strides during course walking, leading to poor riding decisions.
    • Allowing the lower leg to slide back over fences, compromising stability and security.
    • Inconsistent rein contact causing the horse to hollow or rush during gridwork.
    • Over-riding to the fence rather than allowing the horse to jump from an appropriate stride.
    • Failing to adjust body position correctly for cross-country terrain, resulting in imbalance.
    • Neglecting to evaluate sessions objectively, focusing only on errors rather than progressive improvement.
    • Relying on hand aids rather than seat and leg to adjust the canter before fences
    • Failing to walk the course accurately, leading to misjudged strides or lines
    • Over-facing the horse with fence height before establishing consistent rhythm and straightness
    • Neglecting to maintain a secure lower leg over cross-country fences on varied terrain
    • Misconception: Stronger aids mean better control. Correction: Effective riding relies on precise, well-timed aids, not strength. Overuse of aids can desensitize the horse and cause tension.
    • Misconception: The rider should always look down to check the horse's head position. Correction: Looking down disrupts balance and alignment. Riders should feel the horse's frame through their seat and hands, using peripheral vision.
    • Misconception: Lateral work is only for advanced horses. Correction: Basic lateral exercises like leg-yielding can be introduced at this level to improve suppleness and responsiveness, provided the horse is ready.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •BHS Stage 2 Riding or equivalent experience (e.g., riding regularly at a riding school, competing at a grassroots level).
    • •Solid understanding of horse care and stable management, including feeding, grooming, and basic first aid.
    • •Ability to ride confidently in walk, trot, and canter, including rising trot and simple changes of lead.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Course walking and stride planning
    • Gridwork and gymnastic jumping
    • Show jumping technique
    • Cross-country riding skills
    • Horse evaluation and progression
    • Risk assessment and safety
    • Progressive training systems for jumping
    • Rider biomechanics and aids over fences
    • Course design and stride calculation
    • Performance analysis and correction
    • Cross-country riding techniques
    • Safety and welfare in jumping disciplines

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