Flat phase streaming now on USEF Network. It’s interesting that they are doing the flat phase individually instead of the groups.
Picture of test shared by Beacon Hill.
Interesting. I wonder how many of the kids will have trouble remembering the test if they have never done such a thing before.
Interesting, has it always been done like a dressage test or did it used to be more like a classic equitation flat class?
Looks an awful lot like a dressage test to me. Not a bad thing at all. Dressage is the foundation of all jumping disciplines–hunters included! Educated riders and trainers realize this and focus on the correct training for horse and rider. It is a good thing for the hunter/jumper/eq community to embrace this foundation more expansively and openly. It will benefit many future generations of horses and riders.
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The other years that I’ve watched it’s been small groups and more like a traditional flat equitation class with some extra tests like the counter canter, haunches in, etc. done in the group.
Yeah I think it’s a great idea. Judges will be able to watch every movement rather than missing parts with so many in the ring. I don’t think you lose demonstrating any skill by knowing the test ahead of time. I think they always had to demonstrate the same kinds of movements (shortening, lengthening, shoulder in etc) but this seems like a better format
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And they just called it out right? Like they didn’t know the test ahead of time?
When they did the groups, I don’t know if they knew anything ahead of time (other than the general tests that can be asked), but I don’t think it changed between groups, so after the first group the rest would know.
I wonder what level of dressage test this would (roughly) correspond to?
Looks like a mix of 1st and 2nd level movements without the difficulty of stringing them together in a test.
Thanks! But aren’t all these being strung together? Or am I missing something…
Yes, they are all strung together.
How will this be scored? Just 1st-6th (or whatever), or will the riders get a score? If a score, is that like dressage, or something else?
yes but in the manner they would be in a true dressage test for that level.
This is the format that the NCAA riding teams have been using for years, although maybe with a slightly less difficult test, so for the kids who have already been doing that, this will not be such a new and different thing.
I like this. It’s a good challenge and lets the riders really be seen. BTW, I am lovin’ my lunch hour today: double timing it with Capital Challenge and Talent Search!
Well that’s certainly different! I kind of like it.
They did something similar for the west coast Talent search a few years ago. The riders got the test in advance, but I don’t know how far in advance. I think it was at the riders’ meeting the day before.
Test looks to be first to second level as noted by others. Both turn on the haunches and counter canter serpentine appear in the current Third Level, Test 3. For anyone curious and a USEF member, the tests can all be seen here on the USEF website.
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The photo I shared from Beacon Hill of this year’s test was posted yesterday, so they had it at least a day in advance.
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I haven’t seen the full results, but it looks like Alex Alston had the highest score with a 92.5. Round posted on FB: https://fb.watch/g0sBv7jPNd/
