Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:16 AM AWST
23/07/2026 1:16 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Demonstrate basic dressage and show horse skills
Demonstrate basic dressage and show horse skills
Unit of competency
National Code
SISSEQS302A
SISSEQS302A
State Code
D6585
D6585
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Transition (Deleted)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
14/10/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to participate in basic dressage and show horse riding using poles and grids.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for horse riding activity.
- 1.1. Determine suitable location in controlled conditions for dressage and show horse riding according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.2. Select, check and fit tack and personal equipment after consideration of contextual issues.
- 1.3. Assess and prepare horse safely and appropriately for the activity.
- 1.4. Identify possible hazards and risks associated with the activity and determine safety procedures.
2. Mount the horse and warm up.
- 2.1. Check and adjust tack before mounting horse in a balanced and controlled manner.
- 2.2. Adjust equipment as necessary to fit the horse and participant once mounted.
- 2.3. Warm up the horse at walk, trot and canter on both reins while demonstrating an independent upright seat with the horse quietly accepting the participant's hands.
- 2.4. Apply aids in an unobtrusive manner consistent with the training of the horse and check attitude and acceptance of the aids.
- 2.5. Ride the horse alone and in a group using safe zones, and maintain the same rhythm and tempo while travelling away or towards the other horses.
3. Apply basic dressage skills.
- 3.1. Maintain control and an effective, centred, independent upright seat through all gaits and required movements.
- 3.2. Apply the appropriate aids to ride the required movements in dressage, and demonstrate an understanding of paces and transitions.
- 3.3. Ride all required shapes and movements accurately, and apply the principles of forwardness and frame, forward movement and straightness.
- 3.4. Recognise horse resistances and evasions and take appropriate measures to address these during dressage.
4. Apply basic show horse skills.
- 4.1. Assess the arena and use it to its best advantage for a work-out.
- 4.2. Interpret work-out instructions and determine correct turnout and etiquette for horse and participant in all show classes normally seen at a hack show.
- 4.3. Maintain control and a centred, independent upright seat through all gaits and required movements in show horse.
- 4.4. Apply accurate and controlled riding of a range of typical work-outs encountered in a saddle horse or hack class, and incorporate the principles of forward and straight movement.
5. Demonstrate basic poles and grids.
- 5.1. Maintain a centred, independent and effective two and three point seat through required movements in poles and grids.
- 5.2. Keep the horse under control and accepting of the participant's hands over poles.
- 5.3. Ride at speeds up to 350 metres per minute.
- 5.4. Control rhythm, tempo, line and frame of the horse when riding over poles.
- 5.5. Determine the horse's length of stride at trot and canter and how this affects jumping distances for poles and the required movements.
6. Dismount and release horse.
- 6.1. Dismount in a balanced manner and complete post-activity responsibilities.
- 6.2. Lead horse safely and cool down as necessary.
- 6.3. Check horse for injury, remove equipment and release appropriately.
7. Evaluate activity.
- 7.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the riding activity.
- 7.2. Review performance and identify strengths and areas requiring improvement.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Controlled conditions may include:
minimal environmental hazards and obstacles
good weather conditions
quiet horses trained to perform to preliminary level for dressage and show horse riding.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits from authorities
harassment-free sports policies
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
conflict resolution
communication protocols
use, care and maintenance of horse, tack and personal equipment
training and scheduling commitments
code of ethics.
Tack may include:
halters
ropes
towels
reins
bits
brushes
hoof picks
saddles and cloths
bridles
martingales
bandages
breastplates
markers
poles
paddock or other rugs
show jumps.
Personal equipment may include:
dressage and show horse attire
personal protective equipment
spurs.
Contextual issues may include:
size of horse
size of participant
weather conditions
experience and riding discipline of participant
training and behaviour of horse
environment in which activity will take place.
Hazards may include:
horse out of control
aggressive horse
horse misbehaving
fallen participant
frightened horses
environmental hazards
unsuitable jumps.
Risks may include:
injuries to horse or participant
exhaustion
falls
dehydration
sun burn.
Safety procedures may include:
horse management in hazardous situations
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common horse riding injuries and risks
equipment checking and usage
appropriate dress
adequate warm-up and cool-down
picking out feet
mounting and dismounting
unsaddling and unbridling
riding at appropriate speed on uneven and sloping ground
appropriate speeds to approach a jump, show jumping fences.
Balanced and controlled manner may include:
sitting in balance with the horse, at walk, trot and canter on the flat and when jumping
communicating with the horse with smooth instructions
controlling the speed and direction of the horse.
Aids may include:
legs
weights
hands
voice
training whips
spurs.
Attitude and acceptance of the aids may include:
acceptance of the bit
contact
submission
forward from the leg
between leg, seat and hand
half-halt.
Safe zones may include:
space allowance for:
stallions
rigs
mares in season
known kickers
timid or beginner participants.
Gaits may include:
walk
trot
canter
hand gallop.
Required movements in dressage may include:
turns and corners
halts
20 metre and 15 metre circles
reinback
serpentines
figures of eight
riding towards and away from the group
voltes
turn around the forehand
loops
half circle and return
reversed half circle
changes of rein.
Forwardness and frame may include:
rhythm
tempo
balance
cadence
impulsion
engagement
tracking up
over tracking
topline
roundness
using the back
loose or supple
long and low.
Straightness may include:
longitudinal
lateral work
suppleness
flexion
tilting
bend
tracking true
shoulders falling in or out
quarters in or out.
Resistances and evasion may include:
hollow
above the bit
behind the bit
broken necked
overbent.
Required movements in show horse may include:
circles
figures of eight
serpentines.
Required movements in poles and grids may include:
two point seat
three point seat
forward seat rising
single poles
trotting poles
single fences from the trot up to 30 cm
grids up to 30 cm
resistance
hollow
above the bit
behind the bit
broken necked
overbent.
Post activity responsibilities may include:
running up stirrups
loosening girth
hosing and scraping horse
checking and storing equipment.
Relevant aspects may include:
preparation and warm-up
riding techniques
safety aspects
cool-down and post-activity completion
evaluation and review.
Controlled conditions may include:
minimal environmental hazards and obstacles
good weather conditions
quiet horses trained to perform to preliminary level for dressage and show horse riding.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits from authorities
harassment-free sports policies
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
conflict resolution
communication protocols
use, care and maintenance of horse, tack and personal equipment
training and scheduling commitments
code of ethics.
Tack may include:
halters
ropes
towels
reins
bits
brushes
hoof picks
saddles and cloths
bridles
martingales
bandages
breastplates
markers
poles
paddock or other rugs
show jumps.
Personal equipment may include:
dressage and show horse attire
personal protective equipment
spurs.
Contextual issues may include:
size of horse
size of participant
weather conditions
experience and riding discipline of participant
training and behaviour of horse
environment in which activity will take place.
Hazards may include:
horse out of control
aggressive horse
horse misbehaving
fallen participant
frightened horses
environmental hazards
unsuitable jumps.
Risks may include:
injuries to horse or participant
exhaustion
falls
dehydration
sun burn.
Safety procedures may include:
horse management in hazardous situations
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common horse riding injuries and risks
equipment checking and usage
appropriate dress
adequate warm-up and cool-down
picking out feet
mounting and dismounting
unsaddling and unbridling
riding at appropriate speed on uneven and sloping ground
appropriate speeds to approach a jump, show jumping fences.
Balanced and controlled manner may include:
sitting in balance with the horse, at walk, trot and canter on the flat and when jumping
communicating with the horse with smooth instructions
controlling the speed and direction of the horse.
Aids may include:
legs
weights
hands
voice
training whips
spurs.
Attitude and acceptance of the aids may include:
acceptance of the bit
contact
submission
forward from the leg
between leg, seat and hand
half-halt.
Safe zones may include:
space allowance for:
stallions
rigs
mares in season
known kickers
timid or beginner participants.
Gaits may include:
walk
trot
canter
hand gallop.
Required movements in dressage may include:
turns and corners
halts
20 metre and 15 metre circles
reinback
serpentines
figures of eight
riding towards and away from the group
voltes
turn around the forehand
loops
half circle and return
reversed half circle
changes of rein.
Forwardness and frame may include:
rhythm
tempo
balance
cadence
impulsion
engagement
tracking up
over tracking
topline
roundness
using the back
loose or supple
long and low.
Straightness may include:
longitudinal
lateral work
suppleness
flexion
tilting
bend
tracking true
shoulders falling in or out
quarters in or out.
Resistances and evasion may include:
hollow
above the bit
behind the bit
broken necked
overbent.
Required movements in show horse may include:
circles
figures of eight
serpentines.
Required movements in poles and grids may include:
two point seat
three point seat
forward seat rising
single poles
trotting poles
single fences from the trot up to 30 cm
grids up to 30 cm
resistance
hollow
above the bit
behind the bit
broken necked
overbent.
Post activity responsibilities may include:
running up stirrups
loosening girth
hosing and scraping horse
checking and storing equipment.
Relevant aspects may include:
preparation and warm-up
riding techniques
safety aspects
cool-down and post-activity completion
evaluation and review.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
safely prepares self and horse for basic dressage and show horse riding using poles and grids in controlled conditions
demonstrates required movements, techniques and control over the horse and modifies techniques in response to horse behaviour to maintain safety and avoid hazards
evaluates and reflects on own riding to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that require improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in dressage and show horse riding activities using poles and grids that are of a sufficient duration to allow the participant to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
suitable locations with controlled conditions for basic dressage and show horse riding using poles and grids
quiet and reasonably tractable horses in a recreational or training program
tack and personal equipment such as halters, ropes, saddles, bridles, helmets, suitable attire and boots.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of safe horse handling and performance of required movements in basic dressage and show horse ridding using poles and grids in controlled conditions
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the hazards, risks and safety procedures associated with the equestrian disciplines
self-evaluation and third-party reports from coach detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOEQO201A Handle horses.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
safely prepares self and horse for basic dressage and show horse riding using poles and grids in controlled conditions
demonstrates required movements, techniques and control over the horse and modifies techniques in response to horse behaviour to maintain safety and avoid hazards
evaluates and reflects on own riding to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that require improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in dressage and show horse riding activities using poles and grids that are of a sufficient duration to allow the participant to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
suitable locations with controlled conditions for basic dressage and show horse riding using poles and grids
quiet and reasonably tractable horses in a recreational or training program
tack and personal equipment such as halters, ropes, saddles, bridles, helmets, suitable attire and boots.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of safe horse handling and performance of required movements in basic dressage and show horse ridding using poles and grids in controlled conditions
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the hazards, risks and safety procedures associated with the equestrian disciplines
self-evaluation and third-party reports from coach detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOEQO201A Handle horses.
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J764 | SIS30713 | Certificate III in Sport Coaching | Qualification |
| J511 | SIS40512 | Certificate IV in Sport Coaching | Qualification |