The USEA Eventing By The Levels Handbook

8 Training Principles The training of the horse should be centered around the following principles: • There is an over-arching theme in all training and work which produces a horse that is calm, forward, and straight. • Understanding how a horse thinks and why it reacts are the guideposts for progressive training. Always ask: Why did the horse react in that way? • The increments of the horse learning new skills or unlearn- ing bad behavior is built on the progressive development of comprehension, trust, and confidence, in that order. The amount and type of pressures the horse feels at any given moment are vast and varied. Understand what pressures are influencing the horse. • Intentional pressure is best applied in incremental, pro- gressive, measured amounts. Release of pressure should be immediate. • The moment of learning in the horse's brain occurs in the moment of the release of pressure. Therefore, the timing of the release of pressure is key to training. The slow way is the fast way. • It is essential that for every new skill the coach takes the necessary time and patience to install comprehension, trust, and confidence in the horse, and in the rider, such that they can successfully execute each new skill before increasing the difficulty. Skipping steps dilutes the education, inev- itably costs time, and jeopardizes a safe and successful outcome in the long run. The infinite possible variations in the combination of riders, horses and situations requires infinite imagination to train. Teaching Principles Coaches should aim to build and develop a correct foundation in both horse and rider. The highest priority must be given to: • Producing horses that are correctly developed according to the training scale, that are sound mentally and physical- ly, and are confident in their work and in their riders. • Developing in their riders a correct, balanced, supple, ef- fective, and independent seat for dressage and for jump- ing. Coaches must stay current and up to date with all aspects of the sport, including: • Changing trends in cross-country design and obstacles. • Changes in show jumping course design. • Changes in dressage requirements for various levels. • Rule changes at all levels they are qualified to teach • Advancements in safety protocol and procedures. • Advancements in equine athlete health management and stable management. • Continuing to develop their own knowledge base and skill set through the entirety of their career. Coaches should have the ability to teach the exercises and movements for dressage and jumping that are required at each competition level, based on the following criteria: • Using appropriate increments to introduce each new con- cept. • In a progression appropriate for the skill set and compre- hension of the rider and the horse, regardless of their level of competition. • With a discerning eye for the biomechanics of horse and rider. • Focusing on the harmonious development of horse and rider, leading to confidence between them. • Choosing appropriate exercises that will improve the per- formance of the horse and rider and teaching and use them in a manner that will accomplish these goals. The coach must take responsibility for the safety of the students and the welfare of the horses. • They should work to control the risk in all teaching situ- ations and educate their students about potential risk, as students may not have adequate skills, knowledge, experi- ence, or awareness to minimize their risk. • The coach should advise riders and horse owners in mak- ing decisions regarding competition level readiness or ap- propriateness. Coaches must clearly communicate their concerns to riders and horse owners regarding the ability of the rider or the horse to move up the levels. • At all levels, the coach should assess if both the horse and rider have the necessary skills, fitness, and preparedness required to compete safely at the level they are seeking to ride.

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