Dressage peeps,
When riding a Training Level Test, (USEF Training test A and B), which is preferable or would score better - a horse that is steady in the contact with a slightly open throatlatch, nose slightly ahead of the vertical OR a horse which a little more flexion at the poll, nose vertical but not as steady in the contact?
I think I know the answer, but would like some other opinions and rationale.
Thanks much!
I just wrapped up part 1 of the L Program last weekend so this is fresh in my mind! The horse doesn’t have to be on the bit at Training level, but they are 100% looking for correct basics.
The horse that’s steady in the contact is showing more correct basics than the horse not as steady in the contact and all else equal should score better. The horse that has more flexion with inconsistent contact indicates they’re not pushing correctly from behind and/or are being ridden front to back instead of the correct back to front.
Congrats on your L Program. I audited part of it many years ago and found it fascinating.
Thank you! That is what I thought, and very useful.
Friend is a little too focused on what the head is doing, and not enough on how the hind end and back feel. Her horse gets a little wobbly in the contact at the trot when she’s focusing on the head, and steadier when she allows his throat latch to open a little.
I was encouraging her to ride where the horse is steadier/happier in the contact.
Thank you! It’s definitely enlightening to go through!
You’re 100% correct. The instructor judges were pretty adamant about not rewarding front to back riding as it completely undermines the training scale and does not prepare horse or rider to go up the levels. In addition to being incorrect riding, it’s very expensive from a points perspective.
When we went through full tests it got penalized on both the movement itself and in the collective marks. For collectives it impacted Impulsion and Rider’s Correct and Effective Use of Aids, but also potentially in Submission if the horse took offense to the riders’ hands. It generally was the thing they chose to focus on in their final remarks as well when it was seen.
They would much, much rather see a horse moving forward steadily into the contact from behind than being pulled onto the vertical.
Open throat latch and in front of the vertical is what it’s supposed to be. Never behind the vertical and I believe on the vertical is ok for piaffe. According to the rules.
Hopefully eventing dressage is judged more correctly than dressage with idiot comments like “needs to be rounder” at training level.
I spent some time looking for a good, high scoring training level test with the horse a little ahead of the vertical but still on the aids.
If either of you all know of one readily available, please let me know.
I do both unrecognized events ( both of us very solid at Beginner Novice) and schooling dressage shows (both of us very green at Second) on the same non-traditional horse and a lot of the judges are the same. Even though the requirements are very different, a lot of the comments and scores are almost the same, too. It can be very discouraging.
They are admittedly hard to find. I spent some time searching YouTube and had similar challenges. However I skipped through this one that looked pretty fluid and correct for the level that scored a 71% - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GampABG_nIo
I agree with the rest of your answer, but Training Level in eventing does not equal Training Level in dressage, so I’m not sure it’s true that the horse doesn’t have to be on the bit. Training Level Tests A and B in eventing include trot and canter lengthenings, and the 3-day test adds leg yields, so it’s closer to First Level than Training Level dressage.
Thanks for the flag! Admittedly I’m a hunter turned dressage person, so no experience with eventing and will let any eventing folks weigh in there accordingly. I checked the Training Level Test A sheet and interestingly don’t see it called out either way like we have on the dressage test sheets. Our Training Level tests specify the horse should accept contact with the bit and the First Level tests specify the horse should be on the bit. Regardless, the horse should still maintain consistent contact from back to front.
You’re right. Dressage is a mess. It’s why I’m lately paying more attention to Western Dressage. It’s far more horse friendly.
In dressage at TL I have a number of tests with comments needs to be more round.
I’ve had, in the last year, many conversations with well known dressage judges - S judges and Rs. So I know we are right. I blame the culture of dressage as well.
Last fall my horse competed dressage in the northeast at T3 and 1.1. Won both his classes with the comment “very correct work”. The judge was Kem Barbosa USEF S Judge. Scores 69 and 72. My horse is not BTV. I am obsessed with correct training.
Don’t lose the faith. Train for correct and not to win.
Thanks for this! That’s a great example! It’s a lovely test, showing relaxation and harmony, and considering the horse appears to be full draft and not a flashy mover, the 71% is even more remarkable!
@McGurk It is a Fresian, basically a black, feathery dressage horse. I don’t think the breed has seen a plow in 100 years though they are still driven to wagons.
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