The USEA Eventing By The Levels Handbook

71 Coach Requirement Overview Coaches should confirm that the rider has the skill, ability, knowledge, support, dedication, experience, mental forti- tude, plan, and record of execution which will permit safe and successful participation at the Advanced level. Additionally, the coach should evaluate the horse's ability, fitness, sound- ness, and temperament with respect to the horse's welfare and safety competing at this level. Coaches at this level should teach the rider to understand the mental attitude necessary to develop and refine the horse and self as trainer of the horse. They should ascertain that the ECP Teaching Requirements and Rider Expectations from Starter Level through Intermediate Level have been met. 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 addressed before competing at the Advanced level. Coaches should be able to clearly commu- nicate their concerns for the safety and welfare of both horse and rider as it pertains to riding at the Advanced Level or beyond. 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 CCI4*/5* competition and beyond. Coaches should demonstrate a detailed depth of under- standing of all necessary movements and skills; specifically, able to identify when the extended and collected gaits, shoul- der-in, haunches-in, half-pass, counter canter, half-turn on the haunches and flying changes of lead are executed cor- rectly. Additionally, they should have experience with and be able to address existing problems or issues exhibited in the movements, particularly with respect to the correctness of the flying change, and be capable of offering constructive and pertinent advice, tools, and information at the highest lev- el. The coach should recognize the uniqueness of each horse and rider and plan appropriate strategy. They should be able to create individualized dressage and jumping exercis- es for their students and horses which address weaknesses, strengthen skills, and further develop the partnership based on what they are seeing in front of them. Ultimately, the coach should have the requisite experience, technical, communica- tion and observational skills to help the rider develop from the technical/mechanical to the intuitive, unconscious riding that occurs in "the zone" (or flow state). They should work in close communication with their students to ensure that a strong program of horse management is im- plemented, including all aspects of equine fitness and con- ditioning, nutrition, and supportive health management, as well as monitoring for soundness, early detection of possible problems and to decide on appropriate measures when prob- lems arise. Coaches should work with their students in devel- oping a weekly, monthly, and quarterly training program and competition calendar which supports both short and long- term competition goals. Coaches should be well-versed in the specifications for all three phases of Starter through Advanced and FEI 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 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. 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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