Maryland 4-H Horse Program-Horsemanship Standards

The Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards are designed to help 4-H members progressively develop knowledge of horse care, horse management, and horsemanship skills. The Horsemanship Standards are divided into Knowledge, English Riding, and Western Riding Standards each containing six levels. The Riding Standards encourage members to become safe, effective and confident riders with a sound knowledge of equipment and tack. The Knowledge Standards develop proper horse handling and husbandry skills. While it is realized that not every 4-H member would want to master all levels, the first two levels of the Knowledge and Riding Standards require 4-H members to learn the basics of horse safety, care, and riding. Also, certain levels may be required for participation in state horse programs and events in the future including the state fair show.

As of 2010, several changes have been made to the program. All documents on this website are new and revised. Please review the following memo for helpful information in regards to the changes and updates.

Information on the Horsemanship Standards:

Examiners, please note that the 2011 4-H Horsemanship Standards Advisory Meeting will be held on November 12, 2011 at 1 PM at the Maryland 4-H Center in College Park, MD. Please remember that in order to remain a current approved examiner, you must attend this meeting once every two years.

Horsemanship Standards Manual
(Updated 3/9/10)

**please note, Appendix G, H, I, J, and N have been revised (pages 94-97 and page 101 in the Manual) to reflect changes in 2011 USDF Dressage Tests and Level 5 Gridwork

**please note, pages 49, 51, 53, and 56 have been revised in the English Riding Levels section to reflect changes in Dressage Tests

Written Tests for Knowledge Levels Testing

Written tests for Knowledge Levels 1-4 are distributed to County 4-H Educators at the beginning of each calendar year. Volunteer leaders or Approved Examiners hosting/coordinating a Horsemanship Standards Knowledge Testing should contact the County 4-H Educator well in advance of the testing to receive copies of the written tests and keys.

Testing Participation Fees

Each 4-H member will be required to pay a testing participation fee for each test taken, excluding levels 1 & 2 Knowledge and Riding as well as Level 3 Riding since these are required to participate at various county and state activities. There will be a separate fee for both the knowledge and riding test taken at each level. See the Testing Participation Fee Form for more details.

These testing participation fees will help provide funding for the educational trainings for youth and adults, expenses for statewide examiner and 4-Her testings for Levels 4-6 as well as other operating expenses related to the program.

Level 5 and 6 Testings

Testing for Levels 5 and 6 of the Knowledge and Riding Horsemanship Standards will be offered twice annually or more when the demand is present. Dates will be set at the beginning of the calendar year. The dates for 2011 below. Please contact Lauren Mundy at lmundy@umd.edu or 301-314-7821 for more information. Please also see our page for Horsemanship Standards Prep Clinics for 4-Hers.

June 5, 2011 at Dodon Farm, 440 Dodon Road, Davidsonville, MD 210355
Registration: due by May 23, 2011 [Testing for Levels 4, 5, and 6]

Directions: From 495/95 Washington Area: From the East side of the beltway exit onto Route 50 towards Annapolis. Fo 10 miles and exit onto Route 424 South (Exit 16-Davidsonville Road). Go exactly 5 miles and turn right onto Dodon Road. At the top of the hill Dodon Road makes a sharp turn to the left. Continue on the road and go to the end of the blacktop (about 0.7 miles from Route 424). Turn right at the green Dodon Farm sign. The dirt road will go past the house to the barn.
From Route 695/Baltimore Area: From the South side of the beltway exit onto Route 97 South towards Annapolis. Go 17.5 miles and exit onto Route 50 West toward Washington, DC. Go 4.3 miles and exit at Route 424 (Exit 16-Davidsonville Road). At the top of the ramp turn left and proceed exactly 5 miles. Turn right onto Dodon Farm. At the top of the hill Dodon Road makes a sharp turn to the left. Continue on the road and go to the end of the blacktop (about 0.7 miles from Route 424). Turn right at the green Dodon Farm sign. The dirt road will go past the house to the barn.

October 22, 2011 at Paradise Stables Too, 12302 Lime Plant Road, New Market, MD 21774

Information and Training Materials

In an effort to provide training materials to all individuals interested in becoming examiners or to those interested in furthering their knowledge of the Horsemanship Standards, information has been provided below:

Horsemanship Standards Getting Started
This is a PDF that introduces the purpose of the Standards, resource materials, requirements and responsibilities for both level candidates and examiners, pass/fail information, how to organize a level testing, and guidelines for safety.

Horsemanship Standards Overview
This Power Point presentation (in PDF form) can be used to help teach participants and volunteers about the Horsemanship Standards.

How To Organize a Horsemanship Standards Testing
This Power Point presentation (in PDF form) can be used to learn how to set up a club and/or county testing for 4-Hers.

Horsemanship Standards Knowledge Levels 1 & 2
This Power Point presentation (in PDF form) can be used to prepare examiners and 4-H members for the Knowledge Levels 1 & 2 testings.

Horsemanship Standards Knowledge Levels 3 & 4
This Power Point presentation (in PDF form) can be used to prepare examiners and 4-H members for the Knowledge Levels 3 & 4 testings.

Horsemanship Standards Riding Levels 1 & 2
This Power Point presentation (in PDF form) can be used to prepare examiners and 4-H members for the Riding 1 & 2 testings.

Horsemanship Standards Levels 3 & 4
This Power Point presentation (in PDF form) can be used to prepare examiners and 4-H members for the Riding Levels 3 & 4 testings.

How Do I Become An Examiner?

Examiners MUST attend regional training sessions and should also be a UME Volunteer. Training session dates are posted at the beginning of each calendar year and can be found by clicking on the Horsemanship Standards Examiner Trainings link above. The following forms must be turned in to verify your UME volunteer status:

Examiner Volunteer Status Form Levels 1-3

Examiner Volunteer Status Form Levels 4-6

To become an approved Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Examiner for Levels 1-3, individuals must complete and pass a take home exam. The test may be taken as an open-book test. Maryland 4-H approved references for State contests and for Horsemanship Standards, and the Horsemanship Standards themselves may be used during the test. At no time may any individual taking this test receive assistance from another individual.

Each test is worth a total 50 points. Candidates must earn a grade of 80% or higher (Levels 1 and 2) or 85% or higher (Levels 3) to pass the test.

Upon completion, send to: Horsemanship Examiner Tests, Maryland 4-H Center, 8020 Greenmeade Drive, College Park, MD 20742.

Following is a list of Examiner Tests that can currently be requested:

Knowledge Levels 1 & 2
Riding Levels 1 & 2
Knowledge Level 3
Riding Level 3 (English & Western Combined)

To request an Examiner Test or for more information on an Examiner Training, please e-mail Kristen Wilson or call her at 301-596-9478.

To become an approved Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Examiner for Levels 4-6, Examiners will be evaluated by a panel of three individuals using set evaluation criteria for that specific level. Evaluation criteria will be posted on the Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards website. Dates and evaluation criteria for each level can be viewed by clicking on the Examiner Level Testings link.

The Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards