Hard to judge the lateral work from that angle, but I suspect I would be at 55% or so, unfortunately. The late changes are 4s, the wrong strike off into canter a 4. The lack of promptness into trot from the first halt is a 5-6 depending on straightness. The extensions are modest and need to cover more ground. I have a bit of problem with the walk clarity, so my collectives would be 6, 6, 5.5, 6, 5.5. Though in real life, up closer, those numbers may vary wildly from my small phone general impression. The horse is a good egg, willing to try, but lacking in the self carriage, strength and uphill balance for more successful execution.
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And no concerns about the fact that the trainer is breaking USEF rules showing a horse two years too young for this level?
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This is an accurate statement and is it what you would write as the judgeâs comments if you were judging?
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Sitting in the booth I would have no idea they were breaking the rules. Not really my wheelhouse. But hearing the horse is only 4, that explains the strength issue.
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Pretty much. Im sure Ive written those thoughts before for other rides. Id probably add - rider needs to encourage improved throughness and freedom and develop more reliable changes. Something like that.
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I wouldnât expect you to know the age of the horse as the judge (general you, since I know you personally had nothing to do with this show), but the whole point of this thread was to bring it to the attention of those charged with enforcing the rules. My qualms are not with the horse himself but with the ethics (and lack thereof) of the person marketing and showing him.
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Thanks.
Nothing about degree of collection for 4th level?
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Has there been discussion amongst the judges about scoring rides that simply dont have the balance/collection needed for the level? It seems common for judges to be kind to a fault, resulting in 60+ scores for very marginal (or insufficient) rides.
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Clearly the whole point of this thread was to provide you validation for your ârighteous angerâ about this particular rider/horse. You just havenât received the unilateral validation and general outrage you anticipated. The governing bodies donât scour these forums to find where rules have been broken. Posting here does nothing to bring it to their attention 
Itâs been reported to the governing bodies. It is being handled by the governing bodies. At this point itâs really feeling like youâve just got a personal vendetta against this rider/horse.
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Yes I was under the impression that if not proper collection the horse should not be scoring above a 5. Collection is one of the biggest factors in moving from 2nd to 3rd and then 4th, is it not?
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I agree. This seems more like trashing the trainer/seller and less about doing something about the actual problem. This thread will do nothing to resolve the problem.
I also donât see an over worked horse. I see a horse riding at the wrong level.
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How is the judge supposed to know how old the horse is? I think youâve already brought attention to the fact the rider was breaking the rules, and now the discussion has evolved.
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Yep. There are two parts to this - the technical rule (whatâs on paper) and the spirit of the rule (why it was a rule in the first place, namely, to prevent young horses from being overworked and forced into things theyâre not ready for yet).
The technical rule has clearly been broken and no one is arguing that. Itâs far less clear if the spirit of the rule has also been violated though and if any harm has actually been done to the horse as a result. If the opposite had been true, I think this thread would have had much stronger opinions voiced. YMMV but I think most people do this sport because they are passionate about horses - not the rulebook.
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Did someone find the ACTUAL rule somewhere? COUld you share it again, if you have ?
Thanks.
Because it crashed and we cannot find anyone to fix it. A reminder that the Regions do not get much $$ from USEF at all. If you know someone who can help, contact either SUe Bender or CHarlotte Trentleman *she was just voted in as the new Regional DIrector). Or contact me on facebook - I run the facebook page for Region 3.
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Of course, watching a horse that is one of the top youngsters in America and comparing it to what you all think is a TB or TB cross⊠that always makes for a good comparison.
In no way am I disagreeing with the fact that the hrose was not ready for this levelâŠ
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DR119.1(relevant part) Horses competing in the following tests and levels must meet the following minimum age requirements per FEI rules: FEI Children/Pony/Junior and Fourth level tests: minimum six (6) years; Young Riders/Prix St. Georges/Intermediate I: minimum seven (7) years; tests above Intermediate I: minimum eight (8) years. Horses must be a minimum of six (6) years of age to compete in an FEI Para Dressage Class. The horseâs age is to be counted from January 1 of the year of birth to January 1 of the current competition year.
Bolding mine
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It was linked and copied in the original post.
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⊠It is a TB? Thatâs not âwhat we thinkâ, thatâs what the horse is registered as.
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