Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISSEQS302A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Demonstrate basic dressage and show horse skills

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISSEQS302A - Demonstrate basic dressage and show horse skills
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to participate in basic dressage and show horse riding using poles and grids.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to current or aspiring individuals operating as equestrian show horse riders. This may include those likely to undertake duties as a dressage or show horse leader at local, regional or state level.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for horse riding activity.
  • Determine suitable location in controlled conditions for dressage and show horse riding according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Select, check and fit tack and personal equipment after consideration of contextual issues.
  • Assess and prepare horse safely and appropriately for the activity.
  • Identify possible hazards and risks associated with the activity and determine safety procedures.
       
Element: Mount the horse and warm up.
  • Check and adjust tack before mounting horse in a balanced and controlled manner.
  • Adjust equipment as necessary to fit the horse and participant once mounted.
  • Warm up the horse at walk, trot and canter on both reins while demonstrating an independent upright seat with the horse quietly accepting the participant's hands.
  • Apply aids in an unobtrusive manner consistent with the training of the horse and check attitude and acceptance of the aids.
  • Ride the horse alone and in a group using safe zones, and maintain the same rhythm and tempo while travelling away or towards the other horses.
       
Element: Apply basic dressage skills.
  • Maintain control and an effective, centred, independent upright seat through all gaits and required movements.
  • Apply the appropriate aids to ride the required movements in dressage, and demonstrate an understanding of paces and transitions.
  • Ride all required shapes and movements accurately, and apply the principles of forwardness and frame, forward movement and straightness.
  • Recognise horse resistances and evasions and take appropriate measures to address these during dressage.
       
Element: Apply basic show horse skills.
  • Assess the arena and use it to its best advantage for a work-out.
  • Interpret work-out instructions and determine correct turnout and etiquette for horse and participant in all show classes normally seen at a hack show.
  • Maintain control and a centred, independent upright seat through all gaits and required movements in show horse.
  • Apply accurate and controlled riding of a range of typical work-outs encountered in a saddle horse or hack class, and incorporate the principles of forward and straight movement.
       
Element: Demonstrate basic poles and grids.
  • Maintain a centred, independent and effective two and three point seat through required movements in poles and grids.
  • Keep the horse under control and accepting of the participant's hands over poles.
  • Ride at speeds up to 350 metres per minute.
  • Control rhythm, tempo, line and frame of the horse when riding over poles.
  • Determine the horse's length of stride at trot and canter and how this affects jumping distances for poles and the required movements.
       
Element: Dismount and release horse.
  • Dismount in a balanced manner and complete post-activity responsibilities.
  • Lead horse safely and cool down as necessary.
  • Check horse for injury, remove equipment and release appropriately.
       
Element: Evaluate activity.
  • Evaluate relevant aspects of the riding activity.
  • Review performance and identify strengths and areas requiring improvement.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

safely prepares self and horse for basic dressage and show horse riding using poles and grids in controlled conditions

demonstrates required movements, techniques and control over the horse and modifies techniques in response to horse behaviour to maintain safety and avoid hazards

evaluates and reflects on own riding to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that require improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in dressage and show horse riding activities using poles and grids that are of a sufficient duration to allow the participant to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

suitable locations with controlled conditions for basic dressage and show horse riding using poles and grids

quiet and reasonably tractable horses in a recreational or training program

tack and personal equipment such as halters, ropes, saddles, bridles, helmets, suitable attire and boots.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of safe horse handling and performance of required movements in basic dressage and show horse ridding using poles and grids in controlled conditions

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the hazards, risks and safety procedures associated with the equestrian disciplines

self-evaluation and third-party reports from coach detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISOEQO201A Handle horses.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

interact with other participants to determine their intentions during warm-up

communicate with and instruct the horse

seek feedback and instructions from the coach

participate in the review process

problem-solving skills to anticipate and mitigate an aggressive, misbehaved or frightened horse and respond appropriately to changing conditions

language and literacy skills to access, interpret and apply information about the required movements of dressage, show horse and poles and grids

self-management skills to:

prepare for and participate in dressage and show horse riding using poles and grids

review and reflect on own performance

planning and organising skills to:

assist in selecting a suitable location, tack and personal equipment

complete post-activity responsibilities

numeracy skills to:

determine pole heights and speed of horse

measure distances and times and horse's length of stride at trot and canter

first aid skills and safety procedures appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe participation and conduct during horse riding activities

selection, use and set up of tack and personal equipment for dressage, show horse and pole and grids to enhance development of skills and tactics

safety requirements and practices to minimise risk

horse handling and correct riding techniques to participate in basic warm-ups, dressage, show horse, poles and grids and cool downs

communication systems used between participants, horses and coaches during dressage and show horse riding events

location features and hazards and how these might impact on the riding experience

social behaviour, psychology and vices of horses to recognise and treat individual temperaments and behaviours

reflection and review principles to enable effective self-evaluation for future improvement

emergency and safety procedures appropriate to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and horse.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Controlled conditions may include:

minimal environmental hazards and obstacles

good weather conditions

quiet horses trained to perform to preliminary level for dressage and show horse riding.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits from authorities

harassment-free sports policies

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

conflict resolution

communication protocols

use, care and maintenance of horse, tack and personal equipment

training and scheduling commitments

code of ethics.

Tack may include:

halters

ropes

towels

reins

bits

brushes

hoof picks

saddles and cloths

bridles

martingales

bandages

breastplates

markers

poles

paddock or other rugs

show jumps.

Personal equipment may include:

dressage and show horse attire

personal protective equipment

spurs.

Contextual issues may include:

size of horse

size of participant

weather conditions

experience and riding discipline of participant

training and behaviour of horse

environment in which activity will take place.

Hazards may include:

horse out of control

aggressive horse

horse misbehaving

fallen participant

frightened horses

environmental hazards

unsuitable jumps.

Risks may include:

injuries to horse or participant

exhaustion

falls

dehydration

sun burn.

Safety procedures may include:

horse management in hazardous situations

symptoms, treatment and prevention of common horse riding injuries and risks

equipment checking and usage

appropriate dress

adequate warm-up and cool-down

picking out feet

mounting and dismounting

unsaddling and unbridling

riding at appropriate speed on uneven and sloping ground

appropriate speeds to approach a jump, show jumping fences.

Balanced and controlled manner may include:

sitting in balance with the horse, at walk, trot and canter on the flat and when jumping

communicating with the horse with smooth instructions

controlling the speed and direction of the horse.

Aids may include:

legs

weights

hands

voice

training whips

spurs.

Attitude and acceptance of the aids may include:

acceptance of the bit

contact

submission

forward from the leg

between leg, seat and hand

half-halt.

Safe zones may include:

space allowance for:

stallions

rigs

mares in season

known kickers

timid or beginner participants.

Gaits may include:

walk

trot

canter

hand gallop.

Required movements in dressage may include:

turns and corners

halts

20 metre and 15 metre circles

reinback

serpentines

figures of eight

riding towards and away from the group

voltes

turn around the forehand

loops

half circle and return

reversed half circle

changes of rein.

Forwardness and frame may include:

rhythm

tempo

balance

cadence

impulsion

engagement

tracking up

over tracking

topline

roundness

using the back

loose or supple

long and low.

Straightness may include:

longitudinal

lateral work

suppleness

flexion

tilting

bend

tracking true

shoulders falling in or out

quarters in or out.

Resistances and evasion may include:

hollow

above the bit

behind the bit

broken necked

overbent.

Required movements in show horse may include:

circles

figures of eight

serpentines.

Required movements in poles and grids may include:

two point seat

three point seat

forward seat rising

single poles

trotting poles

single fences from the trot up to 30 cm

grids up to 30 cm

resistance

hollow

above the bit

behind the bit

broken necked

overbent.

Post activity responsibilities may include:

running up stirrups

loosening girth

hosing and scraping horse

checking and storing equipment.

Relevant aspects may include:

preparation and warm-up

riding techniques

safety aspects

cool-down and post-activity completion

evaluation and review.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine suitable location in controlled conditions for dressage and show horse riding according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select, check and fit tack and personal equipment after consideration of contextual issues. 
Assess and prepare horse safely and appropriately for the activity. 
Identify possible hazards and risks associated with the activity and determine safety procedures. 
Check and adjust tack before mounting horse in a balanced and controlled manner. 
Adjust equipment as necessary to fit the horse and participant once mounted. 
Warm up the horse at walk, trot and canter on both reins while demonstrating an independent upright seat with the horse quietly accepting the participant's hands. 
Apply aids in an unobtrusive manner consistent with the training of the horse and check attitude and acceptance of the aids. 
Ride the horse alone and in a group using safe zones, and maintain the same rhythm and tempo while travelling away or towards the other horses. 
Maintain control and an effective, centred, independent upright seat through all gaits and required movements. 
Apply the appropriate aids to ride the required movements in dressage, and demonstrate an understanding of paces and transitions. 
Ride all required shapes and movements accurately, and apply the principles of forwardness and frame, forward movement and straightness. 
Recognise horse resistances and evasions and take appropriate measures to address these during dressage. 
Assess the arena and use it to its best advantage for a work-out. 
Interpret work-out instructions and determine correct turnout and etiquette for horse and participant in all show classes normally seen at a hack show. 
Maintain control and a centred, independent upright seat through all gaits and required movements in show horse. 
Apply accurate and controlled riding of a range of typical work-outs encountered in a saddle horse or hack class, and incorporate the principles of forward and straight movement. 
Maintain a centred, independent and effective two and three point seat through required movements in poles and grids. 
Keep the horse under control and accepting of the participant's hands over poles. 
Ride at speeds up to 350 metres per minute. 
Control rhythm, tempo, line and frame of the horse when riding over poles. 
Determine the horse's length of stride at trot and canter and how this affects jumping distances for poles and the required movements. 
Dismount in a balanced manner and complete post-activity responsibilities. 
Lead horse safely and cool down as necessary. 
Check horse for injury, remove equipment and release appropriately. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of the riding activity. 
Review performance and identify strengths and areas requiring improvement. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISSEQS302A - Demonstrate basic dressage and show horse skills
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SISSEQS302A - Demonstrate basic dressage and show horse skills

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: