PRINCIPLES OF BD TESTS

Transcription

1 PRINCIPLES OF BD TESTS All references in brackets are to the British Dressage Rule Book PRELIMINARY TESTS To show that horse and rider are beginning their training on correct classical lines. They are establishing the first of the Scales of Training with the emphasis on Rhythm, Suppleness and Contact. Has a balanced upright position Is supple and able to follow the movement of the horse Maintains a light elastic contact with the horse s mouth Applies clear aids effectively without unnecessary movement. Has regular, pure unhurried paces Shows rideability and is obedient to the aids of the rider Accepts a contact with the bit without resistance and tension Moves willingly forward with active hindquarters Remains reasonably straight so that his body is aligned along the curve of a circle or turn, or on a straight line. Momentary losses of straightness or quarters very slightly in are not serious faults at this early stage. Transitions are smooth and although best if executed at the marker more weight is given to their correctness than to their accuracy. Halt (122) Free walk on long rein (119) Medium walk (124 d ii) Working trot and canter (124 d ii &125 d ii) 20 metre circles in working trot and canter Serpentine which consists of half circles connected by a straight line. When crossing the centre line the horse should be parallel to the short side. There should be clear changes of direction as described below in the loops. (130 b) Transitions that may be progressive so that when coming to a halt from the trot a few steps of walk may be shown. 5 metre loops when the horse moves off the track to reach an apex 5 metres away from the track, show a clear change of bend and then return to the track to show another change of bend when reaching it. At these

2 changes of direction the horse should adjust the bend of his body to the curvature of the line he follows, remaining supple and following the indications of the rider, without any resistance or change of pace, rhythm or speed. Trot work may be rising or sitting NOVICE TESTS To show that horse and rider are beginning their training on correct classical lines as defined in the FEI Directives Object and General Principles (122). The Scales of Training should be becoming more established ie the Rhythm, Suppleness, Contact, Impulsion, Straightness and the start of Collection in the downward transitions. Balanced upright position Loins and hips supple Thighs and legs steady and well stretched downwards Upper party of the body easy, free and erect Hands low and close together without touching each other or the horse with the thumbs as the highest points Elbows and arms close to the body Follows the movement of the horse smoothly and freely Applies aids imperceptibly and effectively Has regular, pure unhurried paces Shows rideability and is obedient to the aids of the rider Accepts a contact with the bit without resistance and tension Moves willingly forward with active hindquarters Is straight on straight lines and bends accordingly on curved lines but occasional losses of straightness are not serious at this stage. Transitions are smooth and although correctness is more important than absolute accuracy increasing value is attached to them being achieved at the required marker. As for the Preliminary tests Medium strides at trot and canter (124 d iii & 125 d iii). The horse should lengthen into the medium strides smoothly and without any change of tempo (speed of rhythm). After about 10 to 20 metres of medium strides that show elastic steps and a swinging back, the transition back to working trot can be made without any slowing down of the tempo or loss of impulsion. NB it is the quality of the medium strides and the transitions that are the priorities rather than how long they are maintained.

3 15 metre half circles in the canter. In test 21 these are best started as close as possible to the quarter markers (H & M), and the apex of the half circle can actually or almost touch the short side. 10 metre half circles in working trot Give and retake the reins (117) Stretching in working trot. The horse is allowed to take the reins but without any snatching. He is given the freedom to lower and stretch his head and neck forward and down while the rider maintains a light contact through the reins. The horse should continue to trot in the same rhythm, with suppleness of the back and self-carriage. Loop of 10 metres in from the track 15 and 10 metre circles in working trot Progressive transitions from walk to canter when a few strides of trot may be shown. Change of leg through trot when a few steps of trot should be clearly shown. Rein back for one horse s length (127) Counter canter (126e) Trot work may be rising or sitting ELEMENTARY TESTS To show that horse and rider are progressing their training along correct classical lines, that they are establishing the Scales of Training: Rhythm, Suppleness, Contact, Impulsion Straightness and Collection. N.B In the Elementary tests the collection is at the early stages and is that which has sufficient engagement of the hindquarters to carry out the required movements with ease. As for Novice standard In addition to the qualities of the Novice standard has acquired greater muscular development, suppleness and impulsion to enable execution with ease of the more demanding movements of the test. As a result of the increased engagement for the hind legs is able to show a slightly higher rounded outline than at Novice levels. Medium trot and canter (124 d ii & 125 d ii) Extended walk (124 iii) Transitions directly from walk to canter

4 Simple Change of leg (126 g &116). At Elementary level the downward transition to walk may be progressive, but the upward one to canter direct. The walk must be clearly shown. 15 metre circles in working canter 10 metre half circles in working canter 10 metre circles in collected canter 10 metre half circles in collected canter 20 metre circles in medium canter 5 metre loop in from the track in working canter. The horse moves off the track to reach an apex 5 metres away from the track, and then returns to the track in counter canter maintaining the same bend to the leading leg as in the first half of the loop. 10 and 8 metre circles in collected trot Leg yield (132 c) Shoulder in (133 f) Large walk half pirouette. The principles are as in the walk pirouette (134) but are performed with less collection. They are approached out of a medium walk although the rider can shorten the walk just before them. The hind legs are permitted to make a half circle of 1 metre in diameter and the horse returns to the track on a straight line without taking lateral steps. Walk quarter pirouettes, as for large half pirouettes but only performed through 90degrees. Rein back for specified number of steps Trot work must be sitting MEDIUM TESTS To prove the development of a higher degree the classical principles and the Scales of Training As above Develops the suppleness, elasticity and impulsion to be able to collect and extend its paces as soon as the aids are given to do so Attains a marked degree of self carriage, lightness and cadence Able to perform direct transitions smoothly and with precision The quality of the paces continues to improve Balance becomes more and more secure. Half passes in trot and canter (133i) Travers in trot (133g) Walk Half Pirouettes (134) Extended trot (125 d iv)

5 Collected walk (124i) Extended canter (126 d iv) Transitions direct and precisely performed Figure of eight. In the performance of these two circles joined at the centre the rider should make his horse straight an instant before changing direction at the centre of the figure. ADVANCED MEDIUM TESTS To prove further development of the Classical Principles and the Scales of Training, with increasing emphasis on collection. As above Rider s influence with his legs, weight and hands reaches a higher level The co-ordination of the aids affects particularly the horse s position, the tempo (speed of the rhythm), use of the horse s back and the movements. Similar to Medium with the added requirement for flying changes necessitating more throughness, collection, balance and straightness. As for lower standards but being performed with a higher degree of difficulty, ie half passes at steeper angles, transitions more frequent and more demanding. Rein back directly into canter Single flying changes (126 g) 8 meter circles in collected trot Counter changes of hand in half pass ADVANCED TESTS The horse should have reached a higher degree of athletic development. This will help it to show greater collection and extension, balance, self carriage and lightness so that it can meet the demands of classical equitation as embodied in the F.E.I Tests. As in above standards As in above standards but with a higher degree of achievement, ie more pronounced rhythm, greater suppleness and relaxation, unwavering contact, greater impulsion, consistent straightness, more collection and throughness.

6 As above but with a higher degree of difficulty. Four-time and three-time flying changes (126g) Canter half pirouettes (134)