Alternative Progression Ratings

1. What is new about the alternative progression and format compared to a classic progression and format?
Not much. The SoPs are the same as those currently in effect, as of 2009. However, in the alternative progression, beginning at the D-2 level, the test sheets are redesigned from one "test sheet” of one or more pages to three distinct "test sheets” for each level: Horse Management; On the Flat; and Over Fences. The three distinct test sheets assist a member, club leader, and/or Examiner to evaluate progress through the certificate levels in the specific skills of each sheet. While the classic progression and format requires members to demonstrate skills in all three sets in one given testing experience, the alternative progression allows members to achieve certificates further and faster in specific skills.

The test sheets for each certificate level will remain available in the "one packet” format to facilitate the classic progression, as well. All forms will be on the USPC website, under Forms and also the Club/Center Testing page.

2. Do I still have to ride In the Open in the alternative progression and format?
Yes. The SoPs for the In the Open section is still included on the test sheets. The "flat” riding of the In the Open is listed under the On the Flat test sheets; the "jumping” riding of the In the Open is listed under the Over Fences test sheets.

3. Do we have to do the alternative progression or can we still do a classic progression and format?
We expect the classic format and progression will remain the option of choice for most members. The alternative is an alternative—another means towards achievement; another tool for club leaders to use to provide opportunities for their members. The classic progression and format is still an acceptable way to "rate up.”

The respective test sheets will be available in both forms. For the alternative progression, the sheets can be downloaded as three separate test sheets per rating level (Horse Management, On the Flat, and Over Fences). The classic progression can still use the single packet found on the Forms page of the USPC website.

4. So, the classic format is the same as the club-level Traditional rating, right?
No, it is not—because there is no such thing as a club-level Traditional rating or any club-level specialty rating. When you look at the current D and C-level Standards (not the test sheets, but the Standards of Proficiency, themselves) you can see they are simply called "D-level" and "C1/C2 level."

We use the term "Traditional” to define a specific track of national-level ratings in comparison to the Dressage and Show Jumping national-level specialty ratings track. For the club-level ratings, we use the term "classic format" to describe the progression that includes testing all skill sets at one rating experience as we have done in the past and will continue to do in the future.

5. Why isn't the alternative progression and format mandatory for club use?
In respect to individual clubs and regional distinctions in their club-level programs, the proposal approved by the Board of Governors in January 2010 did not mandate use of this alternative.

See question 3.

6. If I only want to do ratings for the Horse Management skills, then do I need a horse?
Yes, you need access to a horse—your own horse, or leased or borrowed for the rating day. The SoPs for the Horse Management skill sets are the same as the 2009 SoPs in effect. These are very practical, "hands-on” skills to demonstrate for a rating. To achieve your Horse Management skill set at a particular rating, you will need to: do a Turn Out (formal or informal, as required by the rating level SoP); bandage or boot (as required); lead and/or lunge (as required); and discuss various aspects of horse care and knowledge with a horse present, such as foot and shoeing, conformation, and teeth.

You will also have to know your other Horse Management knowledge as listed for your rating level and have a Record Book. (Go to www.ponyclub.org, Forms, or contact the Chair, D-1/C-2 Committee, for information on Record Book expectations.)

Remember, if you borrow a horse for your rating, all your equipment must fit properly and you must be able to discuss its use as appropriate for the level you are testing—just as you must do now in the classic format.

7. Is the On the Flat progression the same as a club-level Dressage specialty rating?
No. On the Flat progression is the demonstration of the development of the basic balanced position. This can be from the training and education found in the dressage, hunt seat, field hunters, or so on. Currently, for USPC, Dressage specialization in the SoPs begins at the C-3 Dressage.

8. Can I use the alternative progression structure in the Hunter Seat Equitation track?
You can only separate out the horse managment portion if needed but this track is designed to be done all at one time for the riding with the flat designed to be the warm-up for the jumping phase.

9. Can I ride my horse in my therapeutic saddle for the On the Flat skill sets?
Yes, if you require a therapeutic saddle in order to ride. However, in order to successfully achieve each certificate level, you must be able to meet all the Standards as currently written, regardless of your tack.

10. How do we conduct a club testing when some of the members want to do the classic format and some of the members want to do an alternative format?
There are several ways to manage the club testing that may include members testing in a classic format as well as members testing in an alternative format. The simplest way may be to produce a testing schedule based on the number of members requiring evaluation in particular skill sets. Perhaps a full day on a Saturday is required to go through all the Horse Management for all interested members, and another day (Sunday, or the next weekend) is set aside for only those members planning a "riding certification.”

When planning the certifications for the year, the club leader can consider this advantage of the alternative progression—using "off-season” time frames to conduct evaluations of the Horse Management and/or On the Flat skill sets. Members can go into spring Regional Quiz and/or Dressage rallies at the appropriate certificate level, if they had the opportunity over the winter to "rate up” in those selected skills.

Later, when the weather improves, the club leader can set up another day to evaluate the Over Fences (with the appropriate cross-country courses) with members interested and ready to demonstrate those skills, at those levels, as well.

11. What can I do if a member plans to certify up in a classic format, but changes his/her mind at the last minute (or is "having a bad day”) and now wants to certify in an alternative format?
It is always important for any organizer of any activity to know what to plan for in order to have a safe, effective, and efficient program. Therefore, one hopes that when a member indicates intent to certify to a specific level, in a specific manner, for that day, that it will happen as planned. However, an advantage to the alternative progression and format is its flexibility.

Therefore, a member that planned to certify in a classic format, but decides to use an alternative format (or is simply "having a bad day”), could be allowed to "change over.” This will let the member "walk away” for the testing day with a sense of achievement in selected areas, rather than the sense of "defeat” often experienced with the Did Not Meet Standard (DNMS), no matter how talented the Examiner or club leadership or parent is in managing disappointment.

Need an example? Try this:

Penny Ponytail plans to take her pony to her D-3, classic format. She presents for Turn Out, does some knowledge with the Examiner, and starts to ride On the Flat. All seems okay (Meets Standards, or MS), until pony decides to start bucking during the warm-up for jumping (or pulls up lame, or the weather kicks over, or any number of bad things happen). Penny doesn't want to or cannot demonstrate her skills Over Fences that day—what to do? Well, since Penny is MS in both Horse Management and On the Flat, she can "walk away” that day with her D-3FL, even though she originally thought she was a classic format kinda gal. She can come back at another rating opportunity to do the Over Fences—or not. Meanwhile, Penny gets credit for what she achieved.

Now—let's talk about the money—as in, the money it costs to conduct a rating. In the example here, Penny may have been the only candidate for the Over Fences rating that day. When she decides to "withdraw” from the Over Fences, Penny (or Penny's parents, or the Club) can still be expected to provide the compensation—to the Examiner, the facilities manager, the food provider—as contracted, even if the rating day did not take as long as expected.

12. How about if the member told me that he/she was only going to certify in Horse Management (and/or On the Flat) and then decides that day to also try the On the Flat and/or Over Fences skill sets?
As stated in the #11, it is always important for any organizer of any activity to know what to plan for in order to have a safe, effective, and efficient program. Therefore, one hopes that when a member indicates intent to certify to a specific level, in a specific manner, for that day, that it will happen as planned. However, an advantage to the alternative progression and format is its flexibility.

As long as the member has demonstrated to your DC's satisfaction (usually, but not always, through a regular Club lesson program or the use of Flow Charts) her/his readiness for that testing of those skill sets—and the addition of another rider to the testing schedule will not adversely impact the other candidates—and you have the required test sheets on hand—then there is little reason to deny the testing opportunity to the interested member.

Need an example? Try this one—

Billy Button is a new member and never saw a rating before. He and his family decided that he would only do the Horse Management D-2 for his first time out. He has his pony highly polished and he knows his stuff, so he easily MSs on his Horse Management test sheet.

However, as lunch rolls around, he realizes that his friends are getting ready to ride On the Flat—and he knows he can do as well as his friends can because he takes his lessons with them and had his Flow Chart signed off at the same time.

Feeling confident now, he checks with his mom, and then they come over to ask if he can join in the On the Flat rating group. The Examiner only has a few candidates in the ring, the DC has Billy's Flow Chart, the organizer can run into the stable office and print out some additional test sheets... and—yippee—Billy Button is ready to ride On the Flat.

Billy may—or may not—MS On the Flat. However, for little effort on the part of all, he had the opportunity. Regardless, he will "walk away” as a D-2HM that day.

Of course, it is often easier to add in an extra candidate at a D-level testing rather than a C-level testing. Also, since Billy Button is spending more time with the testing experience, his family could be asked to contribute more (food, time, money) to compensate for the addition of the extra candidate.

13. Do I have to do a full Turn Out for every time I want to test at the same certificate level?
No. The only full Turn Out at each testing level is evaluated as part of Horse Management. So—if you are a C-2HM, you successfully demonstrated the skills required for a C-2 level Turn Out, both horse and rider.

When you decide to do your "riding certifications,” you only need to be in neat, safe, and appropriate riding attire. (For a description of attire USPC considers appropriate for riding and work around horses, see the USPC Horse Management Rule Book, 2010.)

For your "riding certifications,” you will want your horse and your equipment to reflect the care given your Horse Management testing level. While only a Safety Check is conducted for the "riding certifications,” not a full Turn Out inspection, it is embarrassing to you when an Examiner finds sticky reins or a tangled tail on your otherwise perfect pony. Respect the process, respect the organization, and respect yourself. ‘Nuf' said.

14. Do I have to demonstrate any skills On the Flat if I am just trying to achieve my Over Fences skill sets that day?
Yes. Even in a classic format testing, the Over Fences skill sets include a warm-up and a related warm-up discussion. The same warm-up and discussion is included on the Over Fences test sheet for the alternative progression and format.

15. Do I have to demonstrate any skills Over Fences if I am just trying to achieve my On the Flat skill sets that day?
No. However, poles and/or cavaletti are included as part of your On the Flat skill set and is part of the accepted "best practices” for training and education of all horses and riders for flatwork, regardless of discipline.

16. How do I certify the members that already have their Horse Management and/or On the Flat ratings and are now ready to demonstrate the Over Fences skill sets at those same levels?
One option may be to simply add these members into the Over Fences schedule of another testing. Another option may be to conduct a testing day dedicated to Over Fences evaluations.

Please keep in mind that each certificate level must be evaluated separately, from the last earned Over Fences level up to the level currently being tested. Therefore, it may not be prudent for one member to try to achieve all Over Fences ratings from D-2 to C-2 in a single session or day given horse's and rider's energy level and condition. A rule of thumb may be to only evaluate two rating levels Over Fences in a given day; or only all the D-levels on one day and all C-levels on another.

17. Do I have to schedule my club's certification day with the Horse Management sections first and/or the On the Flat before the Over Fences?
In the same testing day or experience, On the Flat evaluations must always precede Over Fences evaluations. This allows for an Examiner to get a sense of the abilities and challenges of each rating candidate well before presenting the risks that Over Fences work include.

However, your testing schedule can be flexible in regards to the timing of the Horse Management evaluations in relation to the riding skills evaluations. Hot summer days or routine afternoon thunderstorms may dictate ride times in the early morning to accommodate weather, or the ring time allowed by a facility in use. In these cases, it is acceptable to schedule your Horse Management evaluations in the afternoon or evening of the riding evaluations. However, if the member is MS in all the riding skills, but DNMS in the Horse Management, they may not be awarded the certificate until they are successful in the Horse Management—either at another testing or after the re-test. [As always, specific re-test criteria are located at the bottom of each test sheet.]

Need an example? Consider this:

Wally Warmblood goes to his C-1 testing with plans to do his Horse Management and On the Flat skills. He does his formal Turn Out in the morning, and talks about his conformation knowledge and demonstrates his bandaging. So far, MS all the way.

He gets on his mare and rides beautifully On the Flat, even Exceeds Standards (ES).

However, over lunch he stumbles in his discussion about parasites and can't remember anything about equine nutrition. He ends up the day with some DNMS sections in Horse Management. What has Wally achieved at the end of the day?

Wally is still a D-3. Even though he rode well and MS'd On the Flat, until he achieves at the C-1 Horse Management, he is a D-3. However, as soon as he MSs on the C-1 Horse Management, he can also "claim” his C-1 Flat. He does not need to re-do his C-1 On the Flat, nor does he need to re-do any part of his C-1 Horse Management that he was already MS, such as his Turn Out or his bandaging.

18. Can I "rate up" for more than one certificate level at a time?
As it is currently acceptable in the classic format to "rate up” for more than one level at a time, it is acceptable in the alternative format, as well. The same cautions apply to both progression types:

First, each certificate level must be evaluated separately from the other, in sequential order (D-2, D-3, etc). Second, in some cases, it may be too tiring for horse or rider to attempt achievement of too many levels in a given day or experience. This is especially the case for the Over Fences skill sets.

Given these cautions, a rule of thumb for multiple-level certifications may be to limit your riding test progression to no more than two certificate levels at a time. However, the Horse Management skill set progression may not need any limitation, except, perhaps, time.

19. What will I put on the certificates for my members?
You will award them their D-2 through C-2, without any further identifier, if they complete all skill sets at the certificate level--or with the "HM” or "FL” if they achieve the Horse Management, or Horse Management and On the Flat.

It is possible your members may end up with three certificates at each level. Good for them!

20. How will I identify my members' certificate levels to Region and National Office in my update forms? How do I keep track?
A table or matrix is a great way to keep track of your members' status. You inform your Region and National Office as you always do, using the certificate level and skill identifier.

21. How do I set up the instructional program for all these different certificate and skill sets?
As you have always done with your mixed-age and mixed-level groups.

22. Will the alternative progression at the club level get me ready for national-level certifications?
No, and yes. Your progression type alone—classic or alternative—is not enough to ready you for national-level certifications. You should also seek the advice and guidance of your Regional Instruction Coordinators, National Examiners, and your coaches, as well as educate yourself on the SoPs using all available resources, such as your Regional "prep clinics” or Standards and Ratings clinics.

However, whether you progress in Horse Management only, or On the Flat, or the "full set of skills” to include Over Fences, you will be ready to begin your preparation for national-level certifications when you achieve your C-2 (HM or FL). If you are a C-2HM, you should begin study for your H-B. If you are a C-2FL, you should consider specializing in dressage for the C-3, as well as study for your H-B. If you are a C-2, you are ready to begin preparation for the H-B, or consider specializing in either C-3 Dressage or Show Jumping, or plan for the C-3 Traditional.

23. What relationship is there between Certifications and Competition Levels?
The SoPs state that achieving a certification does not necessarily qualify the Pony Club member for competition in any horse sport just as success in competition does not indicate certification competence. Achieving a certification confirms that a member has proven his/her riding ability and Horse Management knowledge to a certain level and is now working toward a higher level. It clarifies for an Instructor what abilities an individual or group can be expected to have. Often riders are capable of riding at a higher level than their current certification because they have not achieved the knowledge portion or had the opportunity to "rate up” as yet.

When information about an upcoming club or regional rally is distributed, certification levels are often listed a guideline for competition level expectations at the rally. Depending upon the type of competition and rally, the Discipline rules often recommend age groupings or specific skills needed to perform at a particular level. For intra-club and Regional Rallies the rider enters the competition at the level of competency of his/herself and the mount, unless otherwise directed by the rally organizer. Ultimately, if there is a question as to a rider's competency at a level, his/her regular instructor, DC or RS--whichever is most familiar with the rider-- should be consulted. For further questions, contact the Activities Director.

24. Are there any restrictions for an alternative progressed member for Championship qualification?
A minimum certificate level is required for Championships competition to ensure that the rider has the maturity and Horse Management knowledge necessary to take care of his/her mount at an overnight or multi-day rally. The USPC Discipline Rulebooks define the Championships' qualifications criteria. Some of the Disciplines have age and/or skill groupings. Others have additional performance requirements that are necessary in order to qualify. In terms of qualifications for 2012 Championship, the table below applies to alternative progressed members. [Unless otherwise specified, the certificate level for each Discipline is expected to include all three skill sets.]

Discipline	Rating Requirement
Quiz	Entered according on their highest HM rating level
Horse Management Judging	Judged based on their highest HM rating level
Polocrosse	Entered based on age and On the Flat rating level
Dressage	Entered based On the Flat rating level
Games	Entered based on age and rating level
Eventing	Entered based on age and rating level
Tet	Entered based on age and rating level
Show Jumping	Entered based age and rating level

Need an example?

Here goes: Kris Cartwright is a D-3, C-1FL, and C-2HM. Using the chart above, if she wants to qualify and compete in Quiz, she must compete as a C-2HM, because that is her highest HM rating level. Assuming she meets all other entry qualifications (such as age), she can compete as a C-level competitor in Dressage and Polocrosse. However, she is considered a D-3 competitor in Games, Eventing, Tet, or Show Jumping. Regardless of which discipline she competes in for Championships, she will be scored in Horse Management as a C-2HM.

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