Increasing difficulty in a freestyle in a "reasonable" way

[pluvinel]

The link for 1st Level Test 3
https://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/dressage/tests/2015FirstLevelTest3.pdf

Note that a 10m trot circle is part of the test.

Here is 1st Level MFS score sheet…note that the 15m canter circle is there…thus, why not a 15m Counter Canter?
http://www.usdf.org/docs/ShowFlash/web/Tests/2015/freestyle1.pdf

Show off the strengths of your horse…if CC is easy, go for it!

Lower-level MFS rides are booooriinnnng because people have no imagination and basically repeat what is written in the standard test…which officially requires 6 minutes to ride.

So based on the MFS score sheet you could do a “lopsided” figure-8…A trot 10m to CC 15m (or 20m if you’re conservative…but I’m in the beg forgiveness camp)…this is an intriguing figure that is not in any test. Know the rules so you can discuss if anyone gives you guff.

The movements that are required in L1 MFS are in the scoring sheet:

Walk - 20m free and medium. This is only the length of the short side. You can connect the two walks with a turn on the forehand.

Trot Leg Yield (R & L)…you could leg yield into canter…this is a classic exercise to teach canter departs…and it carries a coefficient of 2x. Make it really steep leg yield and show off.

Trot 10m circle (L & R)

Lengthen trot (no minimum size)

Canter 15m (L & R)

Lengthen canter (one direction only…do your best lead)

Change of lead thru trot.

If you measure the time it takes to ride the components of the test, each individual movement (eg., measure how long to trot a 10m circle, or canter 15 m circle), you will find the minimum required to ride the essentials of the test is much less than 5 min.

Be creative and have fun.

[Dressagemommy]

First Level Freestyle question

Does anyone know if canter lengthening across the diagonal is allowed at First Level? It is in the additionally allowed section of second level, which makes me question that it could be used at First level. Thanks.

[joiedevie99]

My understanding is that this is fine.

‘Lengthening in canter’ and ‘medium canter’ are not the same thing. Medium canter would not be allowed at first level regardless of whether you are on the diagonal or not. Lengthen stride in canter is a mandatory element at first level - and there is no restriction on where you show it in the arena.

[Silverbridge]

[QUOTE=Dressagemommy;8515189]
Does anyone know if canter lengthening across the diagonal is allowed at First Level? It is in the additionally allowed section of second level, which makes me question that it could be used at First level. Thanks.[/QUOTE]

I just saw it done in a First Level Freestyle at our show in Tucson two weeks ago. That in addition to a lot of asking around I’ve done, indicates that yes, it’s fine.

As joiedevie points out the description for Second Level additional allowances refers to medium canter not lengthened canter.

So, go for it.

And, I wonder if the OP will come back to this thread and tell us how it went with her First Level Freestyle. I will (finally) debut mine at a show on the 14th.