Galop 6: syllabus, tests and preparation

The second-to-last stage before reaching professional level, Galop 6 is a rehearsal before the big test. To pass it, you would do well to get ahead by learning more about how the exam works and by knowing the essentials. To do that, read on.

What you need in place

To take Galop 6, working with a riding instructor is essential. You need those final adjustments before you get in the saddle if you want to perform well. What is more, this is a rehearsal, the last Galop before Galop 7. So by this stage the rider needs to be getting noticed and attracting partners and sponsors. For that, it is better to be as polished and faultless as possible. This is exactly where the instructor comes in. They correct movements that are too big. They put right slight faults in your position and readjust the horse's bend for a better feel.

You should also look after your horse and take good care of him. It will show in his performance that he is relaxed and completely trusts his rider. It is then up to the rider to be as close as possible to his animal in order to instil in him all the grace and refinement of a horse almost entering the professional world of riding. Take more group lessons to build your confidence.

Galop 6: how it works

Galop 6 is made up of two main parts. The theory section allows the rider to show what they know about riding, and the practical section demonstrates how well they control their horse and themselves.

Theory

The theory at Galop 6 has its own particular content, notably questions on the dressage paces, the judging criteria for club dressage movements, the criteria that make a pace good or faulty, the counter-canter and what makes it correct, and the main types of ridden schooling work. The rider is also asked to show what they know about the names of the main cross-country fences. With all these elements, the rider is assessed on their knowledge of the equestrian world in general and, in particular, on their ability to pass that knowledge on to future generations. From this stage they can normally act as an assistant to an instructor when teaching the rest of their group.

Practical

The practical is far more demanding than at the previous Galop. In hand, it is no longer enough to trot the horse up. At this level you have to jump him over a fence. It is harder still in the saddle. Here the rider has to make transitions between the different paces while maintaining a correct position. Jumping out on hacks and over varied terrain will also be done with the horse. To convince the examiners, riding the club dressage tests is compulsory.

All this practical work comes after the section on caring for, grooming and tacking up the horse by the rider themselves. This allows them to strengthen the bond before the dressage, cross-country and jumping phases.