I have a friend who hasnt shown in a while and is getting nervous about some upcoming shows. She thinks that having the tests read to her will help.
In a schooling show, at what level are you not allowed to have a test read for you? Can a test be called out at any level? What about at a rated show? Can tests be called out at all?
USDF Intro-USEF Training Level-Fourth Level can be called at all shows, EXCEPT for USEF GAIG Regional Championships. FEI (CDI) levels/shows cannot have callers (I believe).
Good luck to your friend! Tell her to breathe and just have fun!
Seconding everything AMDressage says (yes, FEI classes cannot be called).
If your friend is at all nervous, by all means she should have her test called. Personally, it may be wimpy, but I have had my classes called at every level through fourth. Not always, but if I need it, I ask. In part, if I’m riding a bunch of tests, I don’t want to have to worry about forgetting part of a test. I can never remember where one or two rein release circles fit in. In part, I know I can get lost in the test and I don’t want to have to worry about that. In LARGE part, I’ve found that the voice of a friend/trainer in the background of my mind can make me feel more settled, even if I totally know my test. There’s no penalty for it whether you are an amateur or professional trainer.
At one local schooling show, I’ve been one of their “professional test callers” because the organizers wanted to take the pressure off of participants if they wanted it.
Nothing wrong with a test caller if it will help the rider!
J.
[QUOTE=J-Lu;3142678]
In LARGE part, I’ve found that the voice of a friend/trainer in the background of my mind can make me feel more settled, even if I totally know my test. There’s no penalty for it whether you are an amateur or professional trainer.[/QUOTE]
I always know my test, in case the caller messes up, I miss/can’t hear a part, etc. But for recognized shows at least, I use my trainer as a caller because I like hearing “a friendly voice” in the ring. And while one can’t coach, if there is a known issue the caller can ENUNCIATE to remind you. (ie, I always forget to halt at A in 3/3, so the caller YELLS “HALT at A”.)
Haha, I have done the same “enunciating” trick for friends who have a tendency to screw up parts of certain tests. I will announce a part REALLY LOUDLY!!! with a brief pause after the letter to make sure they get the movement correct. LOL.
Spectrum.
Boy, does this bring back memories!
Do any of you remember the Saturday Night Live character “Subliminal Man”?
My trainer used to joke that she would throw in subliminal directions in between the movements and that if she got really good at it the judges wouldn’t notice!
Sorry, carry on…
At a ss, call anything (unless it says under usef rules, which would limit fei tests being called even there). And NO repeating ANYTHING, or the rider can be disqualified.
Awhile back (I think in the version of tests prior to the current ones) one of the 2nd level tests had 10m canter circles at E and B and the other had them at V and P. For some reason, I had a real mental block keeping them straight and those letters sound so much the same. After making about 3 errors of course despite having a caller (who happened to be my husband who looked so pitiful everytime I came out of the ring after an error, like it was his fault I was brain dead), I finally came upon the trick of having him stand next to the set of the letters where the circles were to be. The rules don’t say where caller must stand and V/P were close enough to not be an obvious deviation from the norm.
http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/08-DR.pdf
page 21
I suggest everyone use a caller when first showing at a level and for sure when they are first showing at all. The only reason not to is to get one’s brain acclimated to riding from memory in order to compete at championships and when approaching FEI.
Though I “know” my tests which have been proven when my reader/caller has called the wrong test and I was doing the “correct” one, I still have a caller for most of my tests except the championships of course. At the schooling shows, especially, I really have to have one 'cause I work all day Saturday (often trying days) and then start a dawn o’thirty Sunday AM with a minimum of 3, sometimes 4 horses riding from intro through fourth level, 5-7 tests. My aging brain just can’t be relied on to keep everything straight on those schooling show Sundays anymore.
thanks everyone. Ill let her know what the rules are. You’ve been a big help
Piaffe, just tell her to learn her test really well as sometimes it can be windy and you can’t hear. She should always know her test anyway - but it’s great to have the caller there for back up. Certainly takes the pressure off 
Sometimes when you enter @A you find you have carefully reviewed the wrong test before entering. If you have a reader handy, it gives your brain a jolt to reboot. 
So I hear that electronic devices are not allowed for riders and callers? And thus hearing impaired riders cannot use wireless hearing devices so they can hear their caller?
That true?
Please tell me that this isn’t true, 'cause it’s really unfair and discriminatory.
Eileen
hearing impaired riders can apply for a usef dispensation that will allow devices
i suspect for a schooling show contacting the management ahead they can figure out a way to get it approved
carovet
[QUOTE=Roan;3144027]
So I hear that electronic devices are not allowed for riders and callers? And thus hearing impaired riders cannot use wireless hearing devices so they can hear their caller?
That true?
Please tell me that this isn’t true, 'cause it’s really unfair and discriminatory.
Eileen[/QUOTE]
info on hearing impared and visual impared riders is right next to the info Schiffon gave me:
http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/08-DR.pdf
page 22. section 4 e
4 e. “Riders with hearing impairment may have a reader using sign language or use radio communication.”
Thank you carovet and PiaffePlease.
You’ve no idea what it’s like to do something like this stone-cold – heh, or stone-deaf, for that matter
Although my hearing loss usually doesn’t give me cause for pause, when in a lesson, or clinic or group situation it can be a source of terrible frustration for me.
Anyhow, thanks again and I’ll read up those links and print the info out for my trainer.
Eileen
Edit: Do either of you know, off hand, what constitutes “radio communication”? If no, is there someone I can contact and ask? Currently I use walkie-talkies in my lesson, but I doubt they would be permitted. Im not looking forward to having to spend $600 for a wireless system.
A lot of walkie-talkie systems come with (or have available for purchase) headsets or earpieces so they are more private.
I’ve used the Motorola Talkabout walkie-talkies with a headset when I am announcing shows. (So the walkie-talkie doesn’t broadcast over the microphone) They also have earbuds.
You would wear the walkie-talkie on your belt and run the wire to the earbut under your coat.
[QUOTE=yaya;3144744]
A lot of walkie-talkie systems come with (or have available for purchase) headsets or earpieces so they are more private.
I’ve used the Motorola Talkabout walkie-talkies with a headset when I am announcing shows. (So the walkie-talkie doesn’t broadcast over the microphone) They also have earbuds.
You would wear the walkie-talkie on your belt and run the wire to the earbut under your coat.[/QUOTE]
Hah! That’s exactly the set I’m using for my lessons right now. This is good! I bought the “secret service” earbud for it. The wire goes over your ear, curled, and down the back. Very secure and it doesn’t interfere with my helmet and fall out, like the regular buds do.
Do you have have channel conflicts with other devices at the shows at all?
Thankee, yaya!
Eileen
I used to use a walkie-talkie set during lessons. It was so great! My trainer’s voice was right there, clipped on to my boot. I swear, my horse benefited as well because she always spoke in calm tones. I’m surprised more trainers don’t use them.
I agree with everyone about knowing your test even if you’re having it called. I had a caller once who started coughing and got all screwed up. I knew it pretty well though. It was discombobulating as I thought he was choking!
“HALT at A”
Nope. Unless there has been a monumental rule change recently, the reader can’t read that. he can only read EXACTLY what is written in the test book. EXACTLY. He cannot change the order or wording at all from what’s in the book. If he does change the wording and not read it EXACTLY the way it is, he can get the rider disqualified. Ask me how I know, LOL.
It’s actually ‘A…halt, five seconds’ or whatever is written in the book. The reader also is only allowed to stand in a certain place.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
