The USEA Eventing By The Levels Handbook

63 It is the Coach's responsibility to ensure: • That the requirements for the previous levels have been met. • They are producing in their riders the elements of Position, Balance, and Application of the Aids as described for each phase at each level. • They are teaching and developing the Rider Skills for each phase at each level and ensuring that the rider incorporates those skills into their regular practice until they are mastered. • They are teaching and developing the Rider Skills required for each level as well as introducing those skills which lay the groundwork for further development. • They are teaching the recommended Exercises and Concepts for each phase at every level, and ensuring these Exercis- es and Concepts are implemented in regular practice with sufficient repetition to prepare the horse and rider for the three phases of competition. Coach Requirement Overview Coaches should confirm that both rider and horse have a sol- id foundation of position, skills and understanding which will support them at this level. They should ascertain that the ECP Teaching Requirements and Rider Expectations from Start- er Level through Preliminary Level have been met. Coaches should produce horses and riders who will be safe and suc- cessful in all requirements for Intermediate level competi- tions. They should be able to identify and correct all founda- tional deficiencies in position, balance, skill set, understanding and experience of the riders and horses before encouraging riders to compete at this level. Most importantly, Coaches at this level should understand what problems and issues create roadblocks to progres- sion, i.e., weaknesses, issues or deficiencies, no matter how basic, which should be fixed before progression is permitted to continue. Coaches should be able to clearly communicate their concerns for the safety and welfare of both horse and rider as it pertains to riding at the Intermediate Level or further progressing to higher levels of eventing. Additionally, the coach should assess if the horse has the required skills, ability, scope, stamina, soundness and at- titude to perform at this level of competition and beyond. Coaches should be able to, when appropriate, create the road map for progression to Advanced and CCI3*/4* competition and beyond. They should continue to employ the use of cor- rect increments for introduction and progression of every concept across a variety of horse/rider combinations, levels, and skill sets. Coaches should demonstrate a detailed depth of understanding of all necessary movements and skills; spe- cifically, able to identify when the shoulder-in, haunches-in, half-pass, counter canter, half-turn on the haunches and sim- ple change of lead are executed correctly. Additionally, they should be able to teach extension and collection in all three gaits. They should also be able to teach the correct use of the double bridle, when appropriate. (*Note: The FEI has removed the use of the double bridle at the CCI3* Level as of 2021). This depth of understanding should also extend to their abili- ty to create individualized dressage and jumping exercises for their students and horses which address weaknesses and/or strengthen skills, based on what they are seeing in front of them. They should be able to teach riders how to gallop horses in a correct rhythm, balance, and at the required pace, and transi- tion to appropriate jumping balance and speed in a seamless and elastic manner. They should work in close communication with their students to ensure that a strong program of horse management is implemented, including all aspects of equine fitness and conditioning, nutrition, and supportive health management, as well as monitoring for soundness, early de- tection of possible problems and to decide on appropriate measures when problems arise. Additionally, Coaches should advise their students on the de- velopment of a weekly, monthly, and quarterly training pro- gram and competition calendar which supports both short and long-term competition goals. Coaches must be well- versed in the specifications for all three phases of Starter through Intermediate and CCI3* levels as they are described in the USEF Rules for Eventing, FEI Rules for Eventing, and the USEA Cross-Country Course Design Guidelines. It is the Rider's responsibility to: • Ascertain that they understand the over-arching principles, concepts, language, and definitions contained in the "Universal Overview" chapter of this document, which are key to comprehending the principles and concepts presented at each level. • Review all previous level requirements and evaluate their ability to execute those requirements, to ensure a strong founda- tion, which is vitally important to being successful at the current level.

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