Riders must be prepared to perform simultaneously in a group both at the medium walk, working trot and canter both ways of the ring. The size of the group will be limited to no more than 25 riders. Groups may be divided into even smaller sections and the number of horses asked to canter at one time limited, at the judges’ discretion, for safety and convenience. Only the rider is judged. The rider’s position, seat and specifically the correct use and effect of the aids will be judge. No change of horses shall be required.
Prizes are awarded to the top 6 riders. Final percentage scores will be announced only for the riders placing in the class along with two reserve scores.
Class Specifications:
1. The rider’s position, seat and use and effect of the aids will be judged as described in DR117 of the USEF Dressage manual (see below).
2. Movements shall be performed by the exhibitors simultaneously; however, the judges may ask for independent execution of certain tests. All instructions must be publicly announced.
3. Riders will be judged at the medium walk, working trot (sitting and rising), and working canter in both directions.
4. The following movements and exercises are required as a group at Training and First Level:
a. Free walk
b. Transitions from one gait to the next in both directions
c. Transitions from walk to halt and vice versa
d. Change of direction across the diagonal, down the centerline, across the arena, and/or by making a half-circle at the walk or trot
5. Additional tests from which judges may choose movements and exercises, as required at Training and First Level, to be ridden in small groups or independently:
a. Transitions
b. Leg yield
c. Changes of lead through trot
d. Serpentine at the trot
e. Shallow loop serpentine with counter canter
f. Trot lengthening and/or canter lengthening
g. Riding without stirrups
USEF DRESSAGE RULE: DR117 The Position and Aids of the Rider.
- All the movements should be obtained without apparent effort of the rider. He should be well balanced with his loins and hips supple, thighs and legs steady and well stretched downward. The upper part of the body easy, free and erect with the hands low and close together without, however, touching either each other or the horse and with the thumb as the highest point; the elbows and arms close to the body enabling the rider to follow the movements of the horse smoothly and freely and to apply his aids imperceptibly. This is the only position making it possible for the rider to school his horse progressively and correctly.
- Not only are the aids of the hands and the legs but also of the seat of great importance in dressage.
- Riding with both hands is obligatory at all national and International Dressage Events. However, riding with one hand is permitted in the Freestyle Tests and when leaving the arena.
- The use of the voice in any way whatsoever or clicking the tongue once or repeatedly is a serious fault involving the deduction of at least 2 marks from those that would otherwise have been awarded for the movement where this occurred.
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