STAR SYSTEM Systematic Training 16 week training package with Yasmin Lillian Assemi FN Certified Riding Instructor The STAR SYSTEM curriculum is designed to be modular: 3 riding hours=1 module Recommended frequency is 1 module/3 riding hours a week. Modules may be taken separately, at the students required pace. Qualification tests should be taken after successful completion of a 16 week course, or, in conjunction with a clinic where there are qualified judges to certify the student. Focus is initially on the basic education of the horse and rider, using the ‘Skala der Ausbildung’ (Training Pyramid) of the ‘Deutsche Richtlinien’ training manual available in English. Theory materials will be provided in written form, and instruction will focus on the training level being mastered by the student and mount. Discussion will take place formally and informally as often as necessary. Additional materials will include German FN videos, quizzes, mounted practice exercises and games, and video analysis of rides as well as riding tests at the appropriate level. 16 week STAR SYSTEM Systematic Training will be followed by a clinic with German Riding Master Johannes Beck- Broichsitter (Pferdwirtschaftmeister). Testing by certified German judges will be available for: Basispass: theory only and basic skills with the horse or Reitabzeichen certification: both jumping and dressage required according to ability after the prescribed testing by qualified judges. For each certification obtained, one embroidered STAR patch is awarded to the student and one for their mount.

The STAR SYSTEM corresponds to the German Grading System E, A, L, M, S, which follows National Guidelines set forth in the German Richtlinien. These Guidelines, which were codified shortly after WWII, developed out of the need to train riders in civilian life, as the nature of the work of the horse and rider changed in the modern world. The Cavallerieschule Hannover, from whose traditions these guidelines originate, is widely considered to be the birthplace of modern German Riding. They form the basis for FEI sanctioned competitions wolrdwide today, though the practices from which they evolved date back at least 300 years-ample proof of their worth to horse and rider. In order to ride and train a horse correctly the rider must have a good feel for how to ride the horse and must be experienced in all three disciplines to give the horse a good foundation in Dressage, Jumping and Cross-country. Specializing in just one discipline too early, even if the horse seems to be particularly talented in one area, does not correspond with the classical teachings and can certainly cause a one sided or unbalanced strain on the horse. The varied and versatile training of the horse is favorable prerequisite for eventually using the hose in a specialized discipline. Specializing too early is harmful to the horse because it is monotonous and causes uneven strain on the horse. Without the versatile basic training in all three disciplines the horse’s dexterity, suppleness, thoroughness and penetrability are diminished. Horses that are trained correctly in this way typically perform at the highest levels till they are 15 to 18 years old and after that are great teachers for young riders for many years. It takes about one year to teach a horse to A level Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross-Country if the horse is started at age 3. E: Beginner In E level the basic foundation dressage moves are performed in a group in a 20m X 40m arena. Dressage level E: Required gaits: medium walk working trot working canter medium canter Riding half the arena changing direction out of the circle one shallow loop on the long side serpentine through the entire arena with three loops Change of direction through the whole arena and through half the arena Change leads through the length of the arena. Turn on the forehand transitions between walk-trot trot- canter walk- halt trot – halt Jumping level E: Height: 80 to 100 cm Oxer width: up to130 cm No water jumps allowed Number of jumps allowed: 6 indoors, 7 outside- one combination allowed A: Training In level A the test is ridden either in a group, a pair or alone in a 20 X 40 meter arena. The exercises shown require more throughness and penetrability of the aids than in level E. The criteria of the training pyramid must be solidly in place with the exception of collection. Dressage level A: Everything listed above is required in addition to: required gaits: medium walk working trot lengthening the trot and medium trot working canter lengthening the canter an medium canter, All of the transitions in Class E as wells as walk - canter. volte, 10 meters at the working trot halt and back up one horse length zig zag leg yield simple change of lead stretching long and low at the working trot on the circle 2 to 3 “horse lengths” / strides control of self carriage Jumping level A: Height: 100 to 110 cm Oxer width: up to 140 cm Width of water jumps/ditches: up to 250 cm Number of Jumps: 6 indoors, 7 outside - 2 combinations are allowed L: Novice In level L the test is ridden alone in either a snaffle bit or double bridle. The test is usually ridden in a 20 X 40 meter arena with few exceptions. In level L the rider needs to show that in addition to the basic fundamental dressage moves, the horse also show increasing impulsion, straightness and collection. Dressage level L: The following gaits are required in level L: Medium walk Working trot Collected trot Medium trot Working canter Collected canter Medium canter 8 meter Volte at the trot and canter double shallow loop on the long side Halt and back up the length of one horse Counter canter turn on the haunches from halt turn on the haunches out of the walk and continuing at the walk without stopping Medium canter (checking for two or three strides the self carriage) stretching long and low at the sitting trot Jumping level L: Height: 110 cm to 120 cm Oxer width: up to 150 cm Width of water jumps: up to 300 cm Number of jumps allowed: 7 indoors, 8 outside - 2 combinations allowed, one triple combination M: Intermediate In level M the test is ridden alone in a 20 X 40m or 20 X 60m arena. A double bridle is required. Because of the frequent and varied transitions between tempi more demands are put on the throughness, penetrability, and therefore the straightness and collection. Dressage level M: Required gaits in level M are: Medium walk collected walk extended walk working trot collected trot medium trot extended trot working canter medium canter extended canter Required exercises include everything above as well as a single flying change. Jumping level M: Height: Level M/B: 120 cm to 130 cm Level M/A: 130 cm to 140 cm Oxer width: Level M/B: up to 160 cm Level M/A: up to180 cm Width of water jumps: Level M/B: up to 350 cm Level M/A: up to 400 cm Number of jumps allowed: Level M/B: 8 indoors, 9 outside - 2 combinations allowed, one triple combination Level M/A: 9 indoors, 10 outside – all combinations allowed S: Advanced In level S the tests are ridden mostly in a 20 X 60m arena, sometimes in exception on 20 X 40m. A double bride is required. The horse must solidly show all of the criteria of the pyramid of training including collection. Level S is divided up into different levels of difficulty. The international definitions follow: Prix St. George: 6 meter volte at the trot and canter half canter pirouette flying changes every 4 strides flying changes every three strides Intermediaire 1: swing (schaukel) zig-zag half pass at the trot and canter Full canter pirouette flying change every two strides Intermediaire 2: Full half pass across the arena 9 flying changes every stride Piaffe 7 to 8 steps (moving uo to 1 meter forward is allowed) Passage Grand Prix: 15 flying changes every stride including on the middle line Piaffe 12 to 15 steps Grand prix special: Gallop pirouette on the middle line Jumping Level S: Height: Level S*: 140 cm to 150 cm Level S**: 145 cm to 155 cm Level S***: 150 cm to 160 cm Oxer width: up to 200 cm Width of water jumps: Level S*: up to 410 cm Level S**: up to 430 cm Level S***: up to 450 cm Number of jumps allowed: Level S*: 9 indoors, 10 outside - (free choice of combinations) Level S**: 9 indoors, 10 outside - (free choice of combinations) Level S***: 10 indoors, 11 outside - (free choice of combinations) *Up to 5 cm in height difference and up to 10 cm width difference for the jumps is allowed. In competitions jumps may be raised up to 10cm in the jump-off. Distances for Combinations and Related Distances 1 Gallop Stride (Combination): 7,50 m 2 Gallop Strides (Combination): 10-11 m 3 Gallop Strides (Related Distance): 14-15 m 4 Gallop Strides (Related Distance): 17,5-18,5 m 5 Gallop Strides (Related Distance): 21-22 m 6 Gallop Strides (Related Distance): 24,5-25,5 m STAR SYSTEM Systematic Training 16 week training package with Yasmin Lillian Assemi FN Certified Riding Instructor The STAR SYSTEM curriculum is designed to be modular: 3 riding hours=1 module Recommended frequency is 1 module/3 riding hours a week. Modules may be taken separately, at the students required pace. Qualification tests should be taken after successful completion of a 16 week course, or, in conjunction with a clinic where there are qualified judges to certify the student. Focus is initially on the basic education of the horse and rider, using the ‘Skala der Ausbildung’ (Training Pyramid) of the ‘Deutsche Richtlinien’ training manual available in English. Theory materials will be provided in written form, and instruction will focus on the training level being mastered by the student and mount. Discussion will take place formally and informally as often as necessary. Additional materials will include German FN videos, quizzes, mounted practice exercises and games, and video analysis of rides as well as riding tests at the appropriate level. 16 week STAR SYSTEM Systematic Training will be followed by a clinic with German Riding Master Johannes Beck- Broichsitter (Pferdwirtschaftmeister). Testing by certified German judges will be available for: Basispass: theory only and basic skills with the horse or Reitabzeichen certification: both jumping and dressage required according to ability after the prescribed testing by qualified judges. For each certification obtained, one embroidered STAR patch will be awarded to the student and one for their mount.