Increasing difficulty in a freestyle in a "reasonable" way

[SnicklefritzG]

I’m currently working on a First level freestyle as a summer project while I also work towards bringing my horse out at 2nd level.

My trainer would like to see me use counter canter as a way to increase difficulty but in a reasonable way since this is very easy for my horse. I’ve read the instructions on the test sheet, and it says only that counter-canter is “additionally allowed”.

Is there a limit either in the rules or unspoken as to how much counter-canter one could use when it is in the “additionally allowed” column? Or is there a point where the judge would say well this is going to far and gives it a -4 in the technical marks?

[Silverbridge]

[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;8178122]

Is there a limit either in the rules or unspoken as to how much counter-canter one could use when it is in the “additionally allowed” column? Or is there a point where the judge would say well this is going to far and gives it a -4 in the technical marks?[/QUOTE]

There isn’t a limit stated anywhere that I can find. It’s one of the few things additionally allowed so I don’t see how they can ding you for too much.

But the thing is there’s a time limit, and you must do a canter circle each way, a lengthening, and two changes of lead through trot. So if you want to make one of your canter shallow loops into a true serpentine across the arena, that will be impressive but you likely wouldn’t have time to do it on both hands. What I’m suggesting is that it’s hard to show “too much” anyway, without going over your five minutes.

I’m working on a First Level Freestyle too. My goal is to be ready by the next local show (Oct). I need to qualify at an out of town show in August, first. We will have to compare when we both have them ridden.

[SnicklefritzG]

[QUOTE=Silverbridge;8178160]
There isn’t a limit stated anywhere that I can find. It’s one of the few things additionally allowed so I don’t see how they can ding you for too much.

But the thing is there’s a time limit, and you must do a canter circle each way, a lengthening, and two changes of lead through trot. So if you want to make one of your canter shallow loops into a true serpentine across the arena, that will be impressive but you likely wouldn’t have time to do it on both hands. What I’m suggesting is that it’s hard to show “too much” anyway, without going over your five minutes.

I’m working on a First Level Freestyle too. My goal is to be ready by the next local show (Oct). I need to qualify at an out of town show in August, first. We will have to compare when we both have them ridden.[/QUOTE]

That’s a good point about the time limit. I hadn’t thought of that. Drat! the 5 minute limit! (or whatever it is)

I should have my freestyle by the end of June or early July (I have a pro doing it).
I’ll let you know what we end up doing!

[MysticOakRanch]

It isn’t hard to fit the movements into a First Level freestyle - there isn’t a whole lot going on. I used a 3 loop serpentine for my last First Level freestyle - then did it the other direction with changes of lead through the trot, which means it is a fairly symmetrical use of the serpentine, and in the 2nd version, I got in two of the required movements (change of lead right, change of lead left). I have seen people do even tighter counter canter at First level.

One thing you don’t want to do is get too busy - so keep that in mind too, if it starts to look hectic, you’ll lose points. But using CC is allowable, and I can’t think of a situation where it would lose you points - unless it was NOT done well and caused a loss of balance and flow.

There isn’t a lot you can do to increase difficulty - a longer leg yield line (for example, across the entire court) is one of the few other ways to increase difficulty. Or doing tougher transitions - such as canter lengthening across the diagonal to a counter canter, or up the c-line to a 10 meter 1/2 circle?

[eponacelt]

Canter-walk or walk-canter transitions are another way to add difficulty. We used it in our first level freestyle last year for the multiple changes of lead we included, and the beauty was that if I didn’t think I could get a really good transition, I did it through trot instead and no one was the wiser!

[Silverbridge]

[QUOTE=eponacelt;8178729]
Canter-walk or walk-canter transitions are another way to add difficulty. [/QUOTE]

No, I’m pretty sure those are no longer allowed, and are part of what will get you the new -4 error. They really want Freestyle riders to stop doing movements above the level.

Also it’s five minutes limit now from salute to salute, where I believe it was previously to this 2105 season, 5:30.

[Daisyesq]

First level - a leg yield zig-zag adds difficulty.
Counter-canter as much as you want, change leads through the trot.

[Beentheredonethat]

Degree of difficulty is only a coefficient of 2. Everything else is valued as more. Don’t even bother. Go for interpretation of music, creativity, and use of arena. They are not looking for “difficulty” at first level…

http://www.usdf.org/docs/ShowFlash/web/Tests/2015/freestyle1.pdf

Canter walk is NOT a 1st level movement. Don’t do it.

[SerenaGinger]

This is from the USDF rules. It doesn’t specify that transitions above the level are allowed and I’ve seen them performed and not given an error in the technical score.

"A freestyle may include all elements EXCEPT dressage movements found in tests above the level of that entered or declared.

Figures, patterns, combination, or transitions composed of elements permitted in the declared level are permitted.

Movements:
1.Test movement: a section of a dressage test to be evaluated with one score on a score sheet.

2.Dressage Movements: these are: leg-yield, rein back, shoulder-in, travers, renvers, turn on haunches, half pass (trot or canter), flying change(s), pirouette (walk or canter), piaffe, and passage

Transitions:
Changes between two different gaits or from one pace to another within the same gait.

First Level Forbidden:
Any movement not found in current USEF Tests at or below this level. Exceptions are listed under Additionally Allowed.

Additionally Allowed:
Counter-canter, turn on forehand, canter serpentine,leg yield- any configuration,
lengthen trot or canter on 20-meter circle, trot circle 10 meter circle or larger, canter circle 15 meter circle or larger."

[Beentheredonethat]

Canter walk canter is a movement. You wouldn’t be allowed to do a canter halt, either.

[Silverbridge]

[QUOTE=SerenaGinger;8179137]
…I’ve seen them performed and not given an error in the technical score. [/QUOTE]

Have you seen canter/walk transitions done at First Level since December 1 of '14? That’s when the new rules went into effect. I saw them done as recently as last year, too. I know the Fourth Place winning rider at US Finals, and she had them incorporated into her First Level test.

But when these new rules and the increase in the error score came out last Fall, a whole lot of riders began retooling their Freestyles in order to comply.

[MysticOakRanch]

You are correct Silverbridge! Until the new tests, it was legal, as was canter/halt (for a dramatic start or end to the freestyle). Use to be you could do any transition, but not movements above the level.

[QUOTE=Silverbridge;8179342]
Have you seen canter/walk transitions done at First Level since December 1 of '14? That’s when the new rules went into effect. I saw them done as recently as last year, too. I know the Fourth Place winning rider at US Finals, and she had them incorporated into her First Level test.

But when these new rules and the increase in the error score came out last Fall, a whole lot of riders began retooling their Freestyles in order to comply.[/QUOTE]

[SerenaGinger]

Could you show me where this is explained in the rules? I think the pdf I found was new, maybe not?, but it didn’t mention transitions found in higher levels. I think it’s very vague. You’re right, I haven’t watched any first level freestyles since December, so it would be under the old rules that I’ve seen walk-canter transitions.

[SnicklefritzG]

[QUOTE=SerenaGinger;8179449]
Could you show me where this is explained in the rules? I think the pdf I found was new, maybe not?, but it didn’t mention transitions found in higher levels. I think it’s very vague. You’re right, I haven’t watched any first level freestyles since December, so it would be under the old rules that I’ve seen walk-canter transitions.[/QUOTE]

I do recall seeing that walk-canter-walk was additionally allowed in the previous version of the 1st level freestyle, but now it is not listed there. My assumption is that one can’t do it.

Other than a longer leg yield or a zig zag, plus some counter-canter I don’t see any way to increase the difficulty of a 1st level freestyle. I guess it’s all about combining the basic movements in some unique way to match the horse’s strengths.

[joiedevie99]

The phraseology is weird, but I see transitions listed under additionally allowed movements at training (halt-trot-halt) and third (canter-halt). Based on that, I’d assume if they intended to allow canter-walk at First, they would have had to include it.

http://www.usdf.org/docs/education/other/FSRGD.pdf

[pluvinel]

The time is a non-issue…5 minutes is a loooooonnnnngggg time. If you want to show counter canter, I would do it in a movement like a figure 8…in front of the judge at C.

Trot 10m circle to counter-canter 10m circle…to extended canter to true canter in the corner and transition back to trot.

You will now be in a true canter in the other direction, transition to trot, and to another Figure 8 in the opposite direction at the other end of the ring.

[Silverbridge]

[QUOTE=pluvinel;8179545]
The time is a non-issue…5 minutes is a loooooonnnnngggg time.[/QUOTE]

There are several requirements for trot, too, as well as a distance requirement for both medium and free walk. No, five minutes is not at all long. And the music needs to change fluidly. The music doesn’t go trot to canter to trot again. That would be very choppy unless the music editor and the horse/rider combo were incredibly polished.

And 10m counter canter circles are a Fourth Level expectation, not First Level. Incorporating that would be increasing the difficulty to a degree far beyond reasonable.

[pluvinel]

[QUOTE=Silverbridge;8179641]
There are several requirements for trot, too, as well as a distance requirement for both medium and free walk. No, five minutes is not at all long. And the music needs to change fluidly. The music doesn’t go trot to canter to trot again. That would be very choppy unless the music editor and the horse/rider combo were incredibly polished.

And 10m counter canter circles are a Fourth Level expectation, not First Level. Incorporating that would be increasing the difficulty to a degree far beyond reasonable.[/QUOTE]

I have timed the minimum required exercises for a first level test and could get it done in 3:35. The issue most people have is they waste time when they prepare…prepare…prepare…prepare…then do the next movement. Getting the movements to go promptly back-to-back clearly defines a horse with good training.

I disagree that a 10m counter canter is a 4th level move. As I understood the OP, CC is easy for her horse. So, if it is allowed, then go for it. If not, then do a 20m CC in the middle of the arena changing thru X…coming out at one of the corners, transition to trot, then lengthen the trot down the diagonal, and do the next direction figure 8. That way you show 20m trot circles, trot lengthenings and counter canters…and you could throw in a turn of the forehand to show attention to the leg.

First level MFS can be a nice demonstration of a horse that is on the aids…much better than a standard first level test.

[SerenaGinger]

From Sharon Vander Ziel at USDF:

As of the new test cycle, canter-walk and/or walk-canter is not allowed in First Level Freestyles since it is not seen until Second Level in regular tests and since the 10-meter canter circle is not allowed, a 10-meter counter canter circle would also not be allowed.

People should contact the USDF if they are questioning whether a movement is allowed. If I am not sure about the particular movement, I can send it to the committee to be answered.

When they talked about this at last year’s convention they mentioned that the winning Freestyles at the Finals were more simple patterns done well, not difficult patterns that the horses struggled with.

email: MusicalFreestyle@usdf.org

I agree that some of the top placing freestyles I saw in Kentucky were not technically challenging.

[Silverbridge]

[QUOTE=pluvinel;8179771]
I have timed the minimum required exercises for a first level test and could get it done in 3:35…[/QUOTE]

:lol::lol::lol:

That’s fabulous.