I recently had the opportunity to attend a “New Test” clinic to learn about the brand new USDF/USEF dressage tests for 2019.
The clinic was organized by the Pikes Peak chapter of the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society. Our instructor extraordinaire was Janet Foy, a FEI 5 * judge. She will judge dressage at the next Olympics. We truly were treated to insights and comments of the highest level. The riders showed us every test at the level, starting at Training level and ending with Fourth level. Janet had both great tips for the riders, as well as instructions on what kind of mark certain “sins” would deserve. I therefore will separate each level into ideas for competitors and comments for judges. Some comments apply to all levels, Janet just made them at a certain level. Training level For the competitor: Most horses are on the bit at training level however it is not required, acceptance of the bit is enough (but it won’t get you a high score). Your biggest key is accuracy. Make sure you understand the placement of the 20 m circles and how to ride the 3-loop serpentine in Test 3. Be clear about where any of the movements begin and end. 3 - 4 walk steps into the halt on centerline are OK; do not move or wiggle your behind in the halt as it will often unbalance the horse; try to have equal weight on your seat bones into the halt; when you pick up the reins after free walk pick up the inside rein first and think about almost leg yielding towards the outside rein => prevents stiffening For the judge: We are looking for steady tempo and correct basics. If they canter out of the halt it is a “5”. When judging a stretchy circle think about how high the neck was before they started (i.e. horses with a high-set neck can stretch down a lot less then horses with a low-set neck). When judging free walk, judge 50% legs 50% top line. First level For the competitor: If you keep a slight shoulder-fore into the halt on centerline you will have better suppleness. It is important to show a clear down transition from lengthening. Think about a slight shoulder-in before the half circle 10 meters in Test 1. On the diagonal the horse’s shoulders should touch the letter that they leave and the one they arrive at. For the canter depart in Test 2 at the end of the diagonal (movement 15) – do it right at the letter. Don’t go past F and start it on the long side or in the corner. Ride it in the spot where a flying change would be. On the stretchy circle - the inside rein shows the way down and keeps the bend, the outside rein controls the shoulder. Get as much done as possible before the new movement starts = prepare, prepare, prepare. For the judge: For the change of lead through the trot in Test 3 we want to see 3 to 5 steps with the front legs Second level For the competitor: The halt just needs to be settled, but you don’t have to hold it for 3 seconds yet. In counter canter the hind legs should be on the rail so it's slight renvers feeling. For the half-turns on the haunches in Test 2 and 3 – center the turns onto the quarter-lines, that gives you plenty of time to set them up and they have a nice balance. For the judge: If I am relaxed as I watch them perform then there is enough collection, if the horse is shown above the level of balance then it looks like they are struggling. In the rein-back count the back steps of the front legs 3rd level For the competitor: In half-pass it is important to go to the exact letter, you don’t get brownie points for arriving sooner. Start the half-pass with a little shoulder-in. In your canter extension uphill is more important than power. How to ride the shoulder-in to renvers (Test 2): From your shoulder-in before E or B increase angle to 4 tracks and then change the bend into the renvers, rather than trying to go directly from shoulder-in into the renvers. You need to feel your extension in the collection and vice versa. For the judge: If a hindleg is resting in the halt, it can't be more than a “6”. Extended walk must have contact and needs to show overstep. When we add length (extended vs medium vs collected) we take away height. When trying to decide between a “7” and an “8” in gaits, if the horse shows more freedom in extensions use this to go up. Turn on the haunches: if against the outside leg and thinking backwards it is a “4”. 4th level For the competitor: For your canter entry use a little shoulder-fore to stay supple, then use your very collected canter before X and into the halt; the halt should feel like snow floating to the ground. For an expressive depart practice going to medium trot from the halt. Half-pass has the most bend, shoulder-in has medium bend, voltes have the least bend in body when you compare those three. A counter change of hand means two half-passes in a different direction, a zigzag is considered three half passes or more in different directions (important when designing a freestyle). If you are showing walk on the straight line that judges see from the front keep the pole high. In the half-pirouette think about the strides like pieces of a pie and make them the same size. When doing the three flying changes in Test 1 put the middle change right over X. When thinking about creating a freestyle: Lengthenings and extensions always look better towards the judge. For the judge: What to do if the rider has forgotten a movement and already left the arena? The movement needs to be judged with an average score. What to do if the rider has forgotten a movement, done the final salute and the judge realizes that the movement is missing? Have the rider execute the missing movement, score it and in addition give an error for that movement. |
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April 2020
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