C Star Certificate Information

Minimum Age

• 14 years

Certificate & Badge Colour

• Pink

Pre-Requisite

• "D" and "C" Certificate

Objective

• To become an active rider with knowledge of aids and how to apply the correctly and effectively.
• An alternative Certificate to the K Certificate, bridging the gap between the C and B Certificates
• To ride simple cross-country and showjumping fences.
• To gain practical experience and knowledge of the care and conditioning of the horse in preparation for a strenuous event.
• To have a thorough knowledge of the Road Rules for horses. To ride safely and sensibly on the roads and in the country.

Assessment Format

• Worksheets - to be complted prior to practical testing.
• Presentation. Rider to be in full Pony Club competition uniform. Horse to be plaited.
• Riding on the Flat.
• Jumping.
• Lungeing.
• Horse handling, horse care and general knowledge.

Assessor

• Assessed by Zone Assessors

Learning Outcomes

Riding

• Mount and dismount from either side, vault optional.
• Alter stirrup length on the move.
• Ride with reins in one hand.
• Work with confidence without stirrups at trot and canter.
• Demonstrate correct position at all paces, independent of the reins.
• Sitting trot and rise on correct diagonal from sitting trot.
• Change diagonal smoothly.
• Recognise diagonal and leading leg by feel.
• Maintain a consistent contact through the reins.  The horse must accept the contact at all paces.
• Recognise the driving aids play a part in establishing and maintaining contact.
• Developing working trot and canter and rhythm at all paces.
• Ride with accuracy. Able to perform transitions at markers.
• Walk, trot and canter a given number of strides.
• Ride at a given pace, not exceeding 450 metres per minute, with horse staying calm throughout.
• Know the aids for, and be able to carry out the following movements:
  • Circles to 10m walk, 15m trot, 20 canter.
  • Serpentines.
  • Lengthened strides at trot.
  • Change of leg at canter through trot.
• Turn on the forehand - be able to show the beginnings of moving off the leg not necessarily from the halt.
• Correct use of a dressage whip.
• Lead a horse from another horse while munted at the walk.

Jumping

• Jump fences ranging in height from 70cm to 85cm
• Demonstrate an established and secure jumping position.
• Demonstrate correct rein contact (including short and long releases).
• Ride correctly over trot poles and cavalletti.
• Walk the course, and ride various types of cross-country fences.
• Walk the course, and ride a show jumping course, including a combination.

Lungeing

• Know reasons for lungeing.
• Know and use the correct equipment and dress for both horse and handler. (Note: Candidate must wear an approved ASA helmet)
• Lunge an experienced, quiet horse at walk and trot.
• Identify and use the correct equipment for lungeing for both horse and handler.
• State safety factors for both horse and handler.

Horse Handling

• Handle a horse safely and efficiently on the ground.
• Demonsttrate how to hold a horse for the Veterinarian or Farrier
• Lead a horse through a gateway, saddled and unsaddled
• Handle a horse's legs safely
• Tie a horse up securely and safely.

Horse Care

• Paddocking
  • Know what to look for and how to do a regular check of horse and paddock.
  • Explain how to care for  and work a grass fed horse
  • Recognise poisonous plants and weeds in candidates local area.
• Stabling
  • Explain how to care for the horse stabled for a short period of time
• Feeding, watering and conditioning
  • Tie up a haynet correctly.
  • Understand principles of feeding and watering
  • Recognise good quality hay and poor quality hay.
  • Recognise and name the following and explain their uses: - Barley, bran, chaff, linseed, Lucerne, oats, pellets, rice, molasses and salt.
  • Understand feeding in relation to the type of work the horse is doing
  • Outline a program to bring a horse back into work after a long spell
  • Explain the importance of the warm up and cool down when exercising or training the horse

• Grooming, Trimming, Clipping

  • Groom efficiently and effectively. Care of man and tail.
  • Plait for competition.
  • Identify and name different types of clipping patterns and the resons they are used.
  • Explain how to prepare a horse for clipping, and how to care for it once it is clipped

• Care of feet and Shoeing

  • Name and explain the function/use of the farrier's tools
  • Recognise and explain the features of a correctly shod foot
  • Explain how to take off a shoe naming the tools used at each step
  • Explain the structur of the horses foot

• Transport of horses

  • Explain what parts of the float or truck need regular maintenance
  • Outline safety procedures that must be followed when loading and unloading a horse.
  • Load and unload a quiet horse with assistance, paying particular attention to the safety of both horse and handler.

• Health, Ailment, Injuries

  • Produce their own practical veterinary kit and equipment for emergency use. Discuss how each item is used.
  • Demonstrate a bandage for injury
  • Describe when to call a veterinarian and what to have on hand when he/she comes.
  • Knowledge of temperature, pulse and respiration.
  • Describe a healthy horse
  • Describe the symptoms of a sick horse
  • Describe a horse in good or poor condition
  • Describe how to control worms, bots and other parasites both internally and externally
  • Describe the action of a lame horse.
  • Describe how to treat deep wounds and skin disorders.
  • Discuss vaccinations that a horse should have
  • Outline care of a horse's teeth
  • Age a horse by its teeth up to eight years. Estimate age after eight years.
  • Knowledge and treatment of greasy heel, seedy toe, laminitis, cold, colic and strangles

General Knowledge

• Outline the structure of Pony Club at Club, Zone, State and National level.

Resources

• Pony Club Australia Syllabus of Instruction
  National syllabus for certificates sets out certificate requirements
• New Zealand Pony Club Manual No.2
  Resource book with information for both educator and student
• C Star Worksheets are compulsory. Available from the PCAV shop