The introduction of The Spurs Test is to focus on the welfare of the horse or pony when being ridden in spurs. It is an assessment to ensure that the rider is able to show an understanding of the use of spurs and show the ability to ride, with a balanced position, therefore control of their lower leg and so correct use of the spurs.
If the rider has their C+ Test then they do not need to take their Spurs Test but they should have an understanding of what is required for this test and this will be covered in the C+.
If they wish to ride in spurs for their C+ but don’t hold the test they can firstly be assessed without their spurs and, if deemed suitable by the assessors, they can then put their spurs on for the rest of the C+ test if they so wish.
The passing of the Spurs Test does not grant the rider permanent permission to ride in spurs – if at any time the rider is seen to misuse the spurs then coaches, or officials, can withdraw the test.
It is not a compulsory test – if they don’t need them then they don’t need the test! Gaining the test does not mean they are a better rider and we really should be encouraging riders not to use spurs. I have had candidates who “might need to wear them in the future…” However if they don’t need them now this shows that they are perfectly capable of riding without them now!
If, in the future, they decide they would be helpful then, hopefully, they will have already passed their C+ (and beyond) so still don’t need to take the Spurs Test!
Often the younger riders are given spurs to wear because “Their legs aren’t strong enough…” This is not a reason for wearing spurs (it’s not about strength anyway but that’s a topic for another day!) and, quite often, the younger rider doesn’t have enough control of their leg movements to be able to use spurs effectively. It is about training of both pony and rider, helping the pony to understand to move forward from a lighter leg aid – remember they can feel a fly landing on them.
I hope you get the drift of me trying to help you to help your rider to understand that because you ride in spurs it doesn’t follow that you are a fab rider and in fact they can be a better rider without them.
The Spurs Test Syllabus is on the main Pony Club web site and covers all the areas that will be covered in the test with a very useful Q&A section. All the answers are shown but it isn’t just a case of them being able to recite what is on the syllabus – they have to have a proper understanding and be able to give relevant, practical examples.
There is also a guide as to how the test will run and although each assessor may run it slightly differently, all the areas will be covered.
Ideally there will be 4 members assessed at a time but this may change depending on how many takers there are and how many assessors.
TOP TIP – Don’t forget to take their spurs to the test!
It is difficult to be sharing on the day with another rider and this just adds to the stress level, swapping everything about.
And this would also beg the question why do you need the test if you don’t have your own spurs….
Before test day.
Make sure the spurs are together with their strap correctly fitted to the rider – buckle and end of strap to the outside.
If you normally help your rider to put their spurs on then they will not learn how to do it by themselves so leading up to the test let them take more responsibility for fitting them and help them to see where the spur should sit when fitted correctly. If they are good enough to ride in spurs then they should be good enough to be able to put them on!
Dismounted Discussion
As a group the dismounted discussion will normally be the first part of the test. The riders should take their spurs with them – NOT wearing them though!
Some coaches are training riders to attend this part with the spurs not together and this is great as, presumably, they then will all be confident in how to put them back together.
If, however that is not how your rider has been taught – it is not compulsory to be taught that way – then make sure, with your rider, that the spurs are together properly and fitted to them. If a new strap has just been bought ensure that it has been threaded through and moved to the correct place on the spurs with the buckle on the outside. When the riders are nervous it is super difficult to wiggle the strap through. (Difficult enough when you’re not nervous!)
Even if the strap isn’t new make sure the buckle is far enough round the riders boot – too many sit towards the inside and again its quite stressful for the rider to try and get it all moving round.
Ensure the spurs ‘Yoke’ ‘Heel Band’ itself is snug around the riders boot, if it is too big then the spur will move when applied.
During this discussion they will have to put their spurs on to show that they understand how they should fit correctly.
The style of their spurs will be discussed so they need to know why they have got the type that they have and styles that are not suitable for Pony Club activities.
“Why do you want/need to ride your pony in spurs?” This is often asked and the assessor needs to feel confident that they have a proper understanding of why they want to ride with spurs and when not to ride in spurs.
Ridden Section
This will start with the warm up and basic flatwork at some point working without stirrups will be included. Then they put their spurs on* and carry on with the flatwork followed by some low level jumping. If your rider doesn’t jump, for instance their discipline is dressage or polo then they will show some movements specific to their discipline – they don’t have to jump.
Their riding itself isn’t being assessed so things like diagonals and canter leads are not being looked at, however the security of the lower leg and the ability to use and not use the spur is under very close observation and this is what will determine the outcome of the test.
For example a rider who uses their spur every step of the way is not going to be successful – this would need to be worked on beforehand.
*They must be aware of where they are putting their spurs on – not just bobbing down in front of the ponies.
REMEMBER – Spurs are not like a riding hat – they do not need to wear them whenever they ride, it should be a mindful and educated decision based on what they are about to do with their pony.
HOME TRIP
On the way home – if your rider has been successful, that is good news however it is important that they understand what it means and that they could have it taken away from them. To ensure that they will not wear spurs all the time and to encourage them to move onto training for their C+.
Try to keep away from letting them think this is the finish line and they are just great riders
If they have not been successful – Obviously this is disappointing however the assessor won’t have made that decision lightly and you should try and support that decision and listen to what needs to happen next.
Your rider should get a written feedback sheet and I suggest reading through that with the assessor and asking any questions then rather than waiting till you get home.
Be aware of not adding your stress and disappointment to your riders stress levels and remind them that they can still ride and with a tweak here and there they will become better, more effective and empathetic riders.
We all think our offspring are the best ever, we want them to be successful and have a nice time, especially when they are doing something they love so it can be a hard pill to swallow when it doesn’t quite go that way so listen to what the assessor recommends and discuss an action plan on the way home.
Try to avoid negative comments either about the assessor or other riders that may have been successful, it’s more about what do you both do now.
Remember the positives that have been talked about in the feedback session – there will be some but these tend to get forgotten in the disappointment of it all – and keep referring back to them.
Being supportive of both the rider and the decision isn’t easy but it can be done with a bit of thought. Although, initially, they might not want to ever do any tests ever again, working to keep a positive tilt on the way forward will, hopefully, encourage them to continue with their learning.
JJ