The USEA Eventing By The Levels Handbook

76 Position, Balance, Aids Required at this level: The coach should confirm and strengthen all the elements of position, balance, and application of the aids as detailed under Starter through Intermediate Level Cross-Country Teaching Requirements. It is the strength, suppleness and correctness of the inde- pendent seat and the security of the base of support which permits the rider to: • Maintain elastic connection throughout the jumping effort to maintain or appropriately effect the balance, speed, and line of direction. • Choose and maintain a variety of secure jumping positions as appropriate for the variety of questions to be expected at the Advanced level, including bigger fences, narrower fences, increased accuracy questions, galloping fences and fences with acute terrain influence. • Utilize the correct timing, application, and balanced tran- sition to/from the galloping position, rebalancing position, approach position, jumping position and landing position for various cross-country obstacles and terrain. • Always maintain balance and connection with their horse throughout all phases of the jumping effort including on drop jumps, banks, bounces, water, and ditches. • Recognize and react instinctively to how the horse re- sponds at any given moment on course. Rider Skills Required at this level: The coach should confirm the rider's understanding of and ability to perform all skills identified under Starter through Intermediate Level Cross-Country Skills. Advanced level cross-country courses require a high degree of technical skill for multiple element combinations. Advanced level riders should be able to: • Effectively produce and maintain the appropriate balance, energy, pace, speed, length of stride and timing to every fence. • Ascertain that they and their horses are prepared, com- fortable and confident with all possible variations for tech- nical combinations on cross-country. • Employ techniques and strategies which will best permit the horse to safely navigate the obstacles and the terrain that they may encounter in competition or when schooling. • Walk, analyze, develop a plan, and safely navigate cross-country courses at the Advanced level. • Self-evaluate their performance. Advanced Specifications for Cross-Country Competition (for complete specifications refer to USEF Rules For Eventing): • Distance 3200-3990m • Speed 570mpm • Jumping efforts 32-40 • Fixed height 3'11" • Brush height 4'7" • Top spread 5'11" • Base spread 8'10" • Drop height 6'7" ADVANCED CROSS-COUNTRY Teaching and Rider Requirements

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