Freestyle question: Are circles/half circles smaller than required at the level permitted?

[plaidbreeches]

Sorry to ask but I can’t find any clear answer in my googling, forum searching, and the USDF website. This will be my first time writing and riding a freestyle and it’s just training level. I figured it’s better to ask and look foolish than sit there wondering and being foolish lol.

I would like to use 10m half circles on the centerline to change direction however the required movements specify that the loops of the 3 loop serpentines should be no smaller than 15m.

Since these are separate movements would the smaller half circles be allowed? Or would it be considered above level?

Sorry for the ignorance, thanks for any insight.

Edit”‹: So after thinking about it for a day I’d say that since first 1 starts off with 10m half circles that they are indeed, above training level. As are simple lead changes?

[DawnAL]

My understanding is that you are permitted movements that are in the test level you ride.

[CHT]

It might be a gamble. In theory you are doing more or less a 10 m half circle to go up centerline, but I don’t see why you would risk the judge having a different perception.

By Simple change, if you mean through walk, than definitely above level. But if you mean through trot, that would be a grey area again as it I really just two quick canter-trot trot-canter transition.

I just don’t see the point taking the risk that the judge might interpret as above level.

[joiedevie99]

I had an issue years back with halt-canter transition (which was a grey area at 4th level). I emailed the address listed on the website, and they were super helpful.

That said, simple changes are clear. Not allowed at first level.

The advice I’ve heard for training level is to go at least one letter in the middle gait to avoid confusion. So if you want to change leads in the canter - canter onto the diagonal, trot at X, trot the second half of the diagonal, canter when you hit the rail.

[hoopoe]

figures above the level of the FS are not permitted.

The half loop 10m is a gray area since it can be argued the turn on to and off of the center line in the start and end of a test at 10m 1/2 circles. The 15m serpentine loops are above the level of the test

[rothmpp]

Honestly, if you are doing 10 meter half circles in a a test environment and simple lead change (canter-walk-canter) transitions and are planning on riding a training level freestyle - I’d think you were sandbagging for a big score. Those are first/second level movements. At a rated show, it is not legal to do a simple lead change at even first level in a freestyle, let alone training level.

ETA-

A couple years ago a friend with a small, super bendy horse asked what I thought about doing a full width of the arena canter half pass at fourth level. which was not specifically forbidden. My response to her was - never leave the judge guessing what you are doing. Do the half-arena half pass to a 10 quality and not have them wondering if it was supposed to be a diagonal line. In the case of a simple change - don’t leave them wondering if it was a mistake or a submission issue.

[lorilu]

@plaidbreeches

Sorry to ask but I can’t find any clear answer in my googling, forum searching, and the USDF website. This will be my first time writing and riding a freestyle and it’s just training level. I figured it’s better to ask and look foolish than sit there wondering and being foolish lol.

I would like to use 10m half circles on the centerline to change direction however the required movements specify that the loops of the 3 loop serpentines should be no smaller than 15m.

Since these are separate movements would the smaller half circles be allowed? Or would it be considered above level?

Sorry for the ignorance, thanks for any insight.

Edit”‹: So after thinking about it for a day I’d say that since first 1 starts off with 10m half circles that they are indeed, above training level. As are simple lead changes?

Write out your choreography and share it with a judge… maybe sign up for a lesson with a judge. Or, perhaps send it in to someone on the freestyle committee - you can find their names etc on the USDF website.

[Dutchmare433]

You only see the change of lead through trot at First Level, and it is not listed under additionally allowed, so I would advise some space between canter leads. A simple change in Dressage is canter-walk-canter, which is definitely not allowed in a TL freestyle.

[Jodyml813]

In training level, anything above the level is expressly prohibited. You cannot go any smaller than a 20 meter circle or 15 M 1/2 circles for the serpentine. Change of lead through trot is also about the level. Here’s a link to the current score sheet with the rules: https://www.usdf.org/docs/showflash/…010:37:37%20PM