Game Examinations
Submitting An ExamPlease send all exams HERE with the subject line "Exam". If you're interested in creating an exam for Arion, please send your exam (with answers) to the same email, but with the subject line "Exam Suggestion". If you submit an exam, please remember that all exams have to have at least 10 questions! Remember, all exams require a minimum 80% to pass.
AAMI Point Information
All members who pass an exam receive 50 Arion Active Member Incentive points.
Any member that submits an exam suggestion will receive 200 Arion Active Member Incentive points.
Learn more about the AAMI here
English Training Certification Exams
Eventing Certification Exam (Courtesy of Min)
Show Jumping Certification Exam
Dressage Certification Exam
Endurance Certification Exam (Courtesy of Diane)
Hunters Certification Exam
Western Training Certification Exams
Roping Certification Exam
Barrel Racing Certification Exam
Western Pleasure Certification Exam
Reining Certification Exam
Master Breeder Exams
Irish Draught/Irish Sport Horse Exam (Courtesy of Min)
Tennesse Walking Horse Exam
Arabian Exam
Thoroughbred Exam
Paint Horse Exam
Quarter Horse Exam
Warmblood Sport Horse Exam
Morgan Horse Exam
Welsh Pony Exam (Courtesy of Lin Ryder)
Friesian Exam (Courtesy of Meaghan)
Training Certification Exams
Eventing Training Certification Exam (Courtesy of Diane)1. What is an Endurance Ride?
2. Where did Endurance Riding, as a competitive sport, begin? When?
3. Horses must pass what type of an exam before and after the race?
4. How long is one phase of an Endurance ride, and what happens at the end of each phase?
5. What is the distance for a one-day competition?
6. What is the minimum distance for competitions lasting more than one day?
7. What are "natural obstacles", how are the marked on a course map?
8. Name the Premiere Endurance Competitions. State when(how often) each is held.
9. Where will the next FEI World Equestrian Games be held, and when?
10. What is the difference between an Endurance Ride and Competitive Trail Riding?
11. How much of an Endurance Ride may be held on paved roads?
12. What is the dress code like for endurance riders? Name the one piece of equipment that riders are required to wear at all levels of competition.
13. What does AERC stand for, and what is its purpose?
Eventing Training Certification Exam (Courtesy of Min)
1) What are the 3 different disciplines of Eventing(or phases)?
2) In as few words as possible, describe each phase of Eventing.
3)How many levels are there in an Event? Please list the dressage tests used and maximum spreads, heights and distances (for cross country) for each level.
4) Explain the difference between a Combined Event, Horse-Trial and 3-Day-Event.
5) Tell us what the following terms mean, in as much detail as possible:
Half Pass:
Leg Yield:
Turn on the Haunches:
Long Format Three Day Event:
Trakehner:
Oxer:
Vet Box:
Short Format Three Day Event:
6) What are the official age restrictions for competing in the AEA?
7) Explain a water complex and some types of jumps or obstacles used in them.
8) Is it important to train your horse with water as an event horse?
9) When walking a cross country course before a show, what should you be sure to note?
10) Who is the "Ground Jury" at an event?
11) Who is the "Technical Delegate" at an event?
12) What is proper eventing attire?
Roping Training Certification Exam
1. The three major types of roping are:
2. In team roping, the Header is responsible for what?
3. The sport of roping was originally meant to demonstrate the skills of horses and riders while doing what on the ranch?
4. Ropes used in breakaway roping are typically _____ft long.
5. Breaking the barrier during a competition run results in what penalty?
6. In team roping, the Heeler roping only one hind leg of the cow will result in what penalty?
7. Depending on arena size, a winning roping run will typically be ____ seconds.
8. What American Quarter Horse foundation bloodline is world renown for its adept roping ability?
9. Typical breeds used in all forms of roping are (3):
10. In calf roping, what type of knot is used?
11. Two major event bodies/associations in the roping industry are:
12. What marks the end of the run in Breakaway roping?
13. True/False. Roping is an AQHA Horse of the Year timed event.
Barrel Racing Training Certification Exam
1. Explain the National Barrel Horse Association’s “4D” format
2. Name two common barrel racing bits/hackamores:
3. Name three influential AQHA bloodlines in barrel racing
4. The area around the barrel is often referred to as the _________.
5. Before a turn, a barrel horse should ______, or slow down to prepare for the turn.
6. Name three major sanctioning bodies or associations in barrel racing.
7. An average time for a 1D “rodeo size” pattern can range from __ to __ seconds.
8. Knocking over a barrel in competition results in what penalty?
9. Name three breeds commonly used for the sport.
10. The #1 AQHA leading sire of barrel racing horses is _________.
11. The infamous stallion Dash For Cash had a speed index of _______.
12. Name three other speed events often found at barrel races.
13. Name two pieces of common barrel racing equipment excluding a saddle, saddle pad, and bridle.
Show Jumping Training Certification Exam
1. What are the 5 phases of a horse jumping?
2. What is the most important part of Show Jumping training?
3. How is Show Jumping competition based off of? (i.e., what would one have to do to place in an event.)
4. Name 5 different jumps found in Show Jumping
5. Name 4 ways to get penalties while at a competition
6. Name 3 ways to get disqualified from a competition
7. How should a good, clear show jumping round look?
8. What should your horse practice at home during training?
9. What do jumper classes require in a horse?
10. Explain a refusal
11. How many obstacles are typically in a Grand Prix event?
12. Describe a Six-bar competition
13. Explain how you would introduce a horse into jumping after basic ground work is complete
14. What breed of horse is known to dominate the top levels of show jumping?
15. Is any horse capable of making it to top levels of competition?
16. As a rider, if your horse went through a fence at a competition, SHOULD you continue the course or walk out?
Western Pleasure Training Certification Exam
1. When showing western pleasure, the stock horses breeds are shown
with a 'style' referred to as what?
2. Describe the movement of the ideal western pleasure horse (stock
breed).
3. Describe the movement of the ideal western pleasure horse (saddle
type).
4. At what age can a horse no longer be shown in a snaffle or bosal?
5. After the age mentioned in number four, what kind of bit (in general) is a horse
required to use when showing western pleasure?
6. When judging a western pleasure class, what makes a winning horse?
7. List one of the biggest trends/fads going on in the western
pleasure ring today that AQHA and other associations are trying to get
rid of.
8. What should be done with a stock breed horse's mane to make it
appropriate for western pleasure?
9. When showing in a western pleasure class, should you stick to the
rail or go close to the judge in the center and get noticed?
10. Is a horse that is heavy on the forehand desirable for western
pleasure?
11. Western pleasure requires your horse to remain in frame on how
much rein contact?
12. When a horse's footfalls are 'pounding' the ground and the gait
feels uncomfortable, what is the horse doing with its back?
13. To get a horse's back nice and rounded, what does the horse need
to be?
14. Name 3 leading western pleasure sires of today.
15. What should the muscling of a good western pleasure prospect be
like: flat or bulky?
16. Is giving a horse tranquilizers before showing in a western
pleasure class legal?
Reining Trainer Certification Exam
1. Describe the conformation of an ideal reining horse.
2. 2. Finish the NRHA rulebook quote: To rein a horse is to not only guide him...
3. Name the easiest way of being disqualified during a ride.
4. When showing, what is the appropriate attire?
5. What about hats?
6. Are chaps mandatory?
7. Describe the NRHA rule regarding bits.
8. What types of reins are acceptable?
9. When do you need splint boots?
10. You have been working with a new colt for a month or so and you're trying to teach him to back well. Unfortunately, he doesn't take to it and resists the bit. How might you go about training him? See-sawing on the reins will not be considered a valid answer.
11. What is the most common mistake people make in circles?
12. Which foot should a horse pivot on?
13. Are sliding stops hard on horse's hind legs?
14. What is the right surface for reining?
15. What is scotching?
16. How do you prevent "scotching"?
17. How do you teach a horse to rollback?
Master Breeder Exams
Irish Draught/Irish Sport Horse Exam(Donated by Min, thank you!)1)What is an Irish Draught horse?
2) In what century was the Irish Draught breed founded and why was this breed developed?
3)What are the specific 4 characteristics of the Irish Draught's temperament that make them such invaluable horses to their owners?
4) What are the ranges of height that are accepted to the Irish Draught Horse Society?
5) What are the ranges of height that are accepted to the Irish Draught Horse Society?
6) Is the Irish Draught considered a rare breed? If so, why?
7) Name 3 of the most famous RID stallions and what they were famous for.
8) What is the number of registered breeders of STRICTLY the Irish Draught located in North America?
9) Is the Irish Draught a heavy horse?
10) What is a Registered Irish Draught or RID?
11)What is the difference between an Irish Draught Sport Horse and an Irish Sport Horse?
12) Is a horse of any breeding accepted into the Irish Horse Board as an Irish Sport Horse, even if it doesn't have any Irish blood in their breeding?
Tennessee Walking Horse Exam(Donated by Anna Smith, thank you!)
1. What five breeds are typically attributed to the orgination of the Tennessee Walking Horse?
2. What was the Tennessee Walking Horse’s original purpose?
3. True or False – Tennessee Walking Horse’s can be shown under both English and Western tack and attire?
4. Are there any special requirements when determining how a Tennessee Walking Horse should be shoed?
5. How many gaits does a Tennessee Walking Horse have?
6. What are they?
7. What is the Tennessee Walking Horse canter also referred to as?
8. What is the range of heights for a Tennessee Walking Horse?
9. What is the range of weights for a Tennessee Walking Horse?
10. What is the typical appearance of a Tennessee Walking Horse according to the TWHBEA?
11. What are the three most common colors?
12. What are the four recognized patterns?
13. What are the two recognized dilutions?
14. What are the two modifiers?
Thoroughbred Exam
1. What are the names of the three foundation Arabian/Barb stallions that can be found in every modern Thoroughbreds ancestry?
2. What year did the Thoroughbred first come to America?
3. What date did the racing industry choose for foals to become yearlings in the southern hemisphere?
4. What are the 4 most common colors to find in a Thoroughbred?
5. What were the first American states to start breeding Thoroughbreds?
6. What was the name of the first Thoroughbred in America?
7. What is the average height of a Thoroughbred?
8. What was the name of the first Thoroughbred to earn over 1,000,000 in its racing career?
9. What are Thoroughbreds known for?
10. Describe Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH).
11. Can Artificial insemination (AI) or embryo transfer (ET) Thoroughbred foals be registered with the Jockey club?
12. How are Thoroughbreds identified in the racing industry?
13. What year was the Triple Crown first won?
14. Describe the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
15. What thoroughbred is the only horse in history to be voted Horse of the Year five times?
16. When was the Jockey Club founded?
Paint Horse Exam
1. Name the Spanish conquistador who was thought to bring the first Paints to the new world. In what year did he arrive in the new world?
2. Which Indians favored 'loud colored' horses?
3. What was the name of the first recorded/registered Paint Horse?
4. Name the three coat patterns.
5. What do you call a Paint without the usual 'loud markings'?
6. Describe the Tobiano pattern.
7. Describe the Overo pattern.
8. Describe the Tovero pattern.
9. Name all of the accepted coat colors (there's 16).
10. What is the minimum amount of white a Paint must have in order to be defined as a marked paint?
11. What are the accepted crosses when registering a Paint?
12. How does a Pinto differ from a Paint?
13. Describe Lethal White Syndrome (LWS).
14. The introduction of Thoroughbred blood is thought to have made Paint horses more prone to what?
15. The heavy influx of Quarter Horse breeding has bred in what genetic problems?
16. Describe the term 'Sabino'.
17. Define the term 'Chrome'.
18. In what year was the American Paint Horse Association founded?
19. Does the APHA allow embryo transfers and artificial insemination?
20. Is the Tobiano pattern a dominant or recessive gene?
21. Describe a splash overo.
22. Describe the appearance of a lethal white foal.
23. Is a lethal white foal an albino Paint?
24. Should you have lethal white foal, what is most humane to do?
25. If a horse carries only one copy of the LWS gene, this horse is what?
26. What is the Tovero trait that is often referred to as a 'medicine hat' or 'war bonnet'?
27. What is the 'shield' of a Tovero?
Quarter Horse Exam
1. Name six foundation Quarter Horses.
2. Name all of the colors a Quarter Horse can be according to the AQHA (There's 16).
3. How did the Quarter Horse gain its name?
4. What crosses are acceptable when registering a Quarter Horse?
5. If a Quarter Horse has 'undesirable markings' listed on their papers, what does this mean?
6. Describe the stock-type of Quarter Horse.
7. Describe the halter-type Quarter Horse.
8. Describe the hunter/racing type.
9. Describe Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA).
10. Desribe Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP). To what stallion is it thought to be linked?
11. Describe Lethal White Syndrome.
12. In what year was the American Quarter Horse Association founded?
13. Who was the first registered Quarter Horse? What famous ranch was he from? Who was his sire?
14. Are appendix foals initially eligible for full AQHA registration?
15. What must they do in order to be eligible for full AQHA registration?
16. Name five Hall of Fame Quarter Horses.
17. Name five Hall of Fame trainers/riders.
18. Can cloned horses be registered? How does the AQHA now verify parentage?
Warmblood/Sport Horse Exam
1. What year was the The Swedish Warmblood Association formed?
2. The Dutch Warmblood was derived from what two native Dutch Breeds?
3. What hot-blooded breed was introduced to the Dutch Warmblood bloodline to make it more athletic?
4. The Oldenburg is originated from what part of Germany?
5. What year did The Hanoverian Studbook officially open?
6. What year was the foundation Frederiksborg stallion 'Pluto" foaled?
7. What was the most influential breed to the Selle Francais?
8. What was the name of the Thoroughbred who is thought to be the most influential Thoroughbred in Warmblood breeding?
9. What breed of horse is thought to be the oldest of Warmblood breeds?
10. What two colors are not permitted in the Holsteiner stud book?
11. What was the three Yorkshire Coach Horses purpose for the Holsteiner breed in the 19th century?
12. The foundation stock of the Belgian Warmblood were from what 3 countries?
13. The Westphalian stud was built under what administration?
14. What was the purpose of the Prussian Stud Administration?
15. What is the Hanoverian breed known for?
16. The Hungarian Warmblood was developed at what stud in Hungary?
Morgan Horse Exam
1. In what year was Figure; the breed's foundation sire, foaled?
2. Define the AMHA's High White/Blue Eyes Rule.
3. Describe the ideal "type" for the Morgan Horse.
4. Other distinctive attributes of the Morgan horse are his presence and personality, name three.
5. Are Morgans a gaited breed?
6. You'll hear the term Lippitt Morgan a lot when working with Morgans. What is a "Lippitt Morgan"?
7. Name 10 AMHA-registrable colors.
8. Describe the conformation of the ideal Morgan head.
9. Describe the conformation of the ideal Morgan neck.
10. What is the height range for the typical Morgan?
11. Describe the ideal Morgan tail.
12. Name a very famous sire-son Morgan pair.
13. Describe the Morgan poll when viewed from the side.
14. What is the "crest" of the Morgan's neck?
15. Describe the ideal Morgan's back.
16. What is a "Foundation Morgan"?
17. What main bloodline feature distinguishes the foundation Morgan from the modern one?
18. Describe the ideal gaits of the Morgan Horse.
19. What university currently has a breeding program to maintain the qualities of the Morgan?
20. Describe the ideal temperament of the Morgan Horse.
Arabian Exam
1. True or False: Arabians are the only true purebred horse in the equine world?
2. What four color genes can not be found in purebred Arabians?
3. What pattern gene can be found in purebred Arabians?
4. What six genetic diseases can be found in Arabians?
5. Describe Occipital Atlanto-Axial Malformation (OAAM)
6. What were the five primary strains for the Arabian Horse?
7. Horses of the purest blood were known as what?
8. Name three types of Arabians
9. What was the name of the tribe in the Arabian Peninsula that bred Arabian horses?
10. What were the names of the three Arabian Stallions that were imported to England which started a revolution in horse breeding?
11. When was the Crabbet Arabian Stud established?
12. Name three Crabbet Arabian Studs that at least 90% of Arabian horses today will trace back to
13. What year was the Crabbet stallion Rafyk imported into Australia?
14. What are Arabians known for?
15. What type of riding are Arabians known to dominate?
16. What year was the Gray Arabian stallion Skowronek foaled?
Hunters Certification Exam
1. In addition to dressage, hunt seat riding is one of two forms of what?
2. Hunt seat riding is based upon what tradition?
3. What is equitation, in terms of hunt seat riding?
4. Describe the hunters' two point position while riding.
5. True or false: Ideally, a champion hunt seat rider has a very secure position.This includes proper leg position, weight in heels, soft hands, good posture, balanced seat, eyes up and, when working over fences, looking ahead towards the next fence.
6. Show hunters are judged on what?
7. What are equitation riders judged on?
8. Describe the desirable show hunter (overall, including personality and movement).
9. What sort of stride should a good show hunter have?
10. True or false: Horses may be of any breed, but Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods are most common.
11. Traditionally, why must a show hunter always be in a balanced frame?
12. Describe the following of the show hunter:
The walk -
The trot -
The canter -
13. What is the expected length of the show hunter's galloping stride?
14. Describe the jumping form of the show hunter.
15. True or false: A show hunter often has better jumping form than many eventers and show jumpers.
16. In reference to 15, why?
17. Provide a detailed explanation of the show hunter turn out.
18. True or false: Show hunter courses do not exceed 4'3.
19. Distinguish between the field hunter and the show hunter.
Dressage Certification Exam
1. Although the sport has ancient roots, Dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit in the West during what time period?
2. Describe the score range on a dressage test.
3. What are the measurements of a standard arena? A small arena?
4. Name all of the standard arena letters.
5. At the start of the test, the horse enters at which letter?
6. No matter what level, there is always a judge sitting at what letter?
7. In the correct order, list the levels of lower level dressage in America (there are six).
8. Name all of the FEI levels.
9. Name and describe four movements performed at Olympic (Grand Prix) level.
10. List the levels of the dressage "pyramid". Provide the English and German names for each and describe them.
11. What are the "airs above ground"? Define the phrase, please do not list the movements.
12. List all of the maneuvers included in the "airs above ground".
13. Which is the first movement taught to the school horse?
14. The levade is considered the pinnacle of what?
15. True or false: Xenophon is considered the earliest European master with surviving treatises.
16. This person taught the classical position still used today and also introduced the flying change, who is he?
17. In competition, are any sort of wraps/boots permitted?
18. True or false: Dressage horses are turned out to a very high standard, as competitive dressage is descended from royal presentations in Europe.
19. At what level may the double bridle begin to optionally be used?
20. When the horse has lather (foam) around its mouth, this is generally considered to be a good thing, why?
Welsh Pony Certification Exam
1.The Welsh pony is designated into four (4) types of pony and horse native to Wales, please name them.
2. Which pony is it believed that the Welsh pony has been evolved from?
3. What year was the Welsh Pony and Cob society in the UK formed?
4. Name the different height sizes of the four types.
5. Which disciplines are the Welsh pony found in?
6. What are section A and B Welsh ponies characterized by?
7. What is Welsh pony section C also known as?
8. What are Welsh Cobs known for and characterized by?
9. Which gait is the Cob known for still today?
10. What is the purpose of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America?
Friesian Certification Exam
1. When was the Friesian Studbook (FPS) established?
2. What are Friesian horses mostly used for? (4 total)
3. Where are Friesian Studbook tattoos located on a Friesian stallion registered before 1997?
4. Are Friesians cold-blooded?
5. What breed do the original foundation Friesians trace back to?
6. What are some breeds that the Friesian provided the foundation blood to?
7. Who are all Dutch registered Friesians registered to?
8. What are Chestnut Friesians called?
9. What are some stallions that carry the chestnut gene?
10. Where was the breed developed?
11. What were Friesians used for in medieval times?
