PEI 4-H
HORSE & PONY
PROJECT
Riding Levels 1 to 6
ACHIEVEMENT DAY
TEST PATTERNS
NOTE: In order to demonstrate what the member has learned in a full year some of these patterns are
quite complicated…. but, as is advised in “The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, DON’T PANIC.  The
point of the Achievement Day is to show the examiner the skills you have learned… not to test your pattern
memorization skills. You will NOT be marked lower for going off pattern and it is perfectly acceptable to ask
for guidance from the examiner should you forget part of the pattern. If you are particularly worried about
forgetting you pattern you can even have someone call it out to you as you ride it.
NOTE: For patterns we will use the standard small dressage arena letter
system (A, K, E, H, C, M, B, F & X). Do not worry if your arena is not proper
dressage size; simply adjust the letters to best fit your riding space.
NOTE: The patterns are not drawn to scale. For example the 20m circles are
drawn smaller help reduce overlapping of lines.
NOTE: The patterns in this book are NOT the patterns you will be using at
exhibitions; those can be found on the PEI 4-H webpage (www.pei4h.pe.ca under Exhibitions) in June of each year. Horsemanship patterns used in 4-H
Horse & Pony classes will be MUCH simpler than the patterns used for PEI 4-H
Achievement Days.
Note: The only mandatory attire for the rider (for both Western & English) is a boot with a heel, a
helmet & long pants (and no tank tops!). However, if you do not have Western or English show attire try
to at least find a shirt with a collar (i.e. a polo, blouse, dress shirt, etc.) to wear with a pair of jeans
(without holes), breeches or dress pants (please avoid wearing sweat/track pants, etc.). Safety vests are
not mandatory, but are strongly encouraged.
Each riding level has specific equestrian information that must be covered. Be
prepared to answer the following questions after riding your pattern:
RIDING LEVEL 1
Name 2 mandatory pieces and 1 optional piece safety attire for the rider.
What does it means to be “on the track/rail”, “on the right rein” and “on the left rein”?
What to do if another horse becomes loose in the arena while you are riding?
Demonstrate how to properly mount and dismount your horse (can use a mounting block and a helper to
hold your horse if necessary).
Explain what to look for when performing a tack check.
RIDING LEVEL 2
What are four natural and two artificial aides?
What does it mean to be “on the correct diagonal” when rising to the trot/jog?
(for western) Show the following rein positions: 2 hand/2 rein; 3 rein; bridge; one handed.
Explain how to do an emergency stop (a.k.a. pulley rein).
What are the rules of the riding arena (i.e. etiquette when riding with other people)?
What does a red ribbon tied in a horse or ponies tail signify?
RIDING LEVEL 3
Explain why it is important too “warm-up” your horse.
Explain why it is important for the rider to stretch before riding & demonstrate 3 stretching exercises the
rider can do while mounted.
Identify between your outside and inside aides.
Explain how the rider can tell by feel alone when the inside hind leg is leaving the ground in walk.
RIDING LEVEL 4
Define the following terms: centre line; quarter line
Explain how to know by feel when the horse’s inside hind leg is leaving the ground in trot/jog.
What it means to be on the correct lead when cantering/loping?
Demonstrate: open rein: direct rein; supporting rein.
RIDING LEVEL 5
Define the following terms: flexion; counter-flexion; half halt (for English) or check (for Western)
What are some reasons a horse may develop bucking issues?
Give a basic description of how the horse should move and carry itself properly when ridden.
Demonstrate: indirect rein; neck rein.
RIDING LEVEL 6
What are 3 ways that trot/jog poles can be helpful in training your horse?
Explain how to know by feel when the horse’s inside hind leg is leaving the ground in canter/lope.
Define the following terms: counter-canter/lope, simple change of lead; flying lead change; four beat
canter/lope; cross firing in canter/lope.
RIDING LEVEL 1 – TEST
Legend
Walk to M
M transition to trot/jog
K transition to walk
E turn right
X (between poles) walk
20m circle right
X walk
20m circle left
Proceed to B
B turn left
M transition to
trot/jog
E transition to walk
K reverse
E halt
Proceed to
examiner to
answer questions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . = walk
__ __ __ __ __ = trot/jog
or
= halt
RIDING LEVEL 2 – TEST
Legend
Walk to C
Between C and X
3 loop serpentine in walk
X transition to trot/jog
E turn left
A 20m circle in trot/jog
Proceed to F
F halt for 5 seconds
Proceed in rising
trot/jog
H-X-F rising trot/jog
and changing
diagonal near X
E halt
& rein back
4 strides
Proceed to
examiner to
answer
questions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . = walk
__ __ __ __ __ = trot/jog
or
= halt
ZZZZZ = rein back
RIDING LEVEL 1 – TEST
Legend
Walk to M
M transition to trot/jog
K transition to walk
E turn right
X (between poles) walk
20m circle right
X walk
20m circle left
Proceed to B
B turn left
M transition to
trot/jog
E transition to walk
K reverse
E halt
Proceed to
examiner to
answer questions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . = walk
__ __ __ __ __ = trot/jog
or
= halt
RIDING LEVEL 3 – TEST
Legend
Walk to M
M transition to trot/jog
B turn right
X trot/jog 20m circle right
then 20m circle left
Nearing X transition
to walk
X walk 10m circle right
then 10m circle left
X transition to trot/jog
E turn left
Nearing K transition to
canter/lope
C transition to trot/jog
H transition to walk
Leg yield left between
cones 1 & 2 then leg
yield right between
cones 2 & 3
K halt & 180 degree
turn on the haunches
left.
Proceed to examiner
to answer questions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . = walk
ZZZZZ = rein back
__ __ __ __ __ = trot/jog
_____________ = canter/lope
or
= halt
RIDING LEVEL 4 – TEST
Walk up centerline over poles
X lengthen stride in walk
Nearing A transition back to
regular walk
A turn right
K halt & drop stirrups
(cross stirrups leathers
over withers if in
English saddle)
Proceed in trot/jog
E 20m circle right in
trot/jog
H halt & retrieve
stirrups
Proceed in trot/jog
Trot/jog 3 loop
serpentine using the
entire length of the
arena
A transition to
canter/lope
E 20m circle right in
canter/lope
H transition to walk
Before C halt & 180
degree turn on the
forehand right
Proceed to examiner
to answer questions
Legend
. . . . . . . . . . . . . = walk
ZZZZZ = rein back
__ __ __ __ __ = trot/jog
_____________ = canter/lope
or
= halt
RIDING LEVEL 5 – TEST
Walk to M
Between M & F show 2-point
riding position in walk
F transition to trot/jog
After A turn down quarter line
Leg yield left to rail
H transition to canter/lope
C 20m circle right in
canter/lope
M-X-K canter/lope
with simple change
of lead near X
(can use several
trot/jog strides)
A 20m circle left in
canter/lope
A 15m circle left in
sitting trot/jog
A regular trot/jog
Turn down quarter
line show no flexion
(straight) for 3-5
strides, flexion left
for 3- 5 strides, no
flexion for 3- 5
strides, flexion right
for 3- 5 strides &
then straight.
Halt before coming
to the rail.
Proceed to examiner
to answer questions
Legend
. . . . . . . . . . . . . = walk
ZZZZZ = rein back
__ __ __ __ __ = trot/jog
_____________ = canter/lope
or
= halt
RIDING LEVEL 6 – TEST
Walk to M
M trot/jog showing the 2-point riding
position
B trot/jog over poles
F back to regular riding position in
trot/jog
K lengthen stride in trot/jog
H regular trot/jog
M leg yield right to quarter line,
straighten on quarter
line for 2 to 4 strides, &
then leg yield left back
to the rail
A walk
Turn up quarter line &
halt when in line with K
180 degree turn on the
forehand left
Proceed in walk
Nearing X transition to
canter/lope right lead
X canter/lope 20m circle
right
X simple change of lead
& circle 20m left in
canter/lope
X canter/lope 15m
(a.k.a. medium) circle
left
X halt
180 degree turn on the
haunches left
Halt
180 degree turn on the
haunches right
Halt
Proceed to examiner to
answer questions
Legend
. . . . . . . . . . . . . = walk
ZZZZZ = rein back
__ __ __ __ __ = trot/jog
or
= halt
_____________ = canter/lope
__ . __ . __ . __ = lengthen stride in trot/jog