The Rider's tests will be a new opportunity for riders to get specific feedback on their position design/alignment, and influence/correctness of the aides. The riders will get scores and comments on the accuracy of the test and the responsiveness of the horse to the rider's aides. Also the harmony and relationship between the horse and rider are scored. There are 5 scores given at the bottom of each test which have specific directives for each level. They are: 1. Rider's position 2. Rider's correct and effective use of the aides. 3. Horses response and performance. 4. Accuracy of the exercises. 5. Harmony between horse and rider. They are all double coefficients. The quality of the horse is not a consideration so these classes will allow riders to participate and be competitive when they have correctly trained horses and a correct position and effect regardless of the scope of the horse's gaits. This type of scoring is the same as for the USEF and FEI young horse tests and as riders get used to them should become popular classes as equitation classes are so popular in the hunter jumper shows. I personally hope they will be an incentive for riders to improve their seats so that our wonderful horses can be fully developed and realize their potential in their dressage training.
Training level riders test: (click here to download)
Read the purpose, and the directive ideas to understand the intent of the test and gain better understanding as to how the judge is evaluating you. This applies to all dressage tests!
All trot work is to be done in rising trot except for a few steps of sitting trot (4-8 steps) during transitions. In this test we see transitions near the centre line from the working trot to the medium walk and back again in both directions. This checks the rider’s balance and influence in the transitions and checks to see if the horse is truly in front of the riders aides or not. There is also a canter transition both directions near the centre line on a 20 meter circle with a change of rein across the diagonal and a transition to working trot at x.
In reading the directive ideas at the bottom of the test the emphasis is on correct position, influence and harmony with the horse. This should also help clarify to the riders the intention of the tests and help improve the training of the horses.