Again, the entire focus of the scoring is VERY different from the USEF scores. A USEF test may have 17-25 movements in it and each movement is scored - some with coefficients.
The Young Horse Tests have 5 scores: Trot; Canter; Walk; Submissiveness; and Overall Impression. 5 scores, five scores; FIVE SCORES!!!
The only way a movement affects the test is if there is so much tension that it is just not done properly. The movements are used to showcase the gaits, elasticity, freedom of movement, relaxation and brilliance of the horse, not to be used against the horse.
The resultant scores of a USEF Test run, generally, from 50% - 70%, with some higher and some lower. In order to be competitive, the Young Horse Test scores need to be in the 7.8 - 9.5 range. These would be based, for example, on scores of: Walk 9; (relaxed, swinging, good reach/overstep, rhythmic, regular), Trot 8.5; (even, regular, relaxed, forward, rhythmic, balanced), Canter 8.8; (uphill, bounding, rhythmic, balanced, even, regular, expressive), Submissiveness 8.7; (momentary loss of attentiveness, showing a bit of resistance picking up right lead canter), Overall Impression 9.2; (this is a horse we would all like to ride (said by Hilda Gurney at one test), shows true quality, has most of the basics down really well, shows brilliance with relaxation, shows good balance and ability to sit and collect at upper levels) Final Score: 8.84. The sum of the individual scores divided by 5. No coefficients. No comments about the individual movements by movement. If you converted this score to a percentage, the horse would theoretically score 88.4%, but that’s not really done. The scores don’t have the same meaning. If the gaits are good, the judge needs to reward them.
If the horse has resistance problems, or balance problems and/or strength problems that is reflected in the submissiveness and/or overall impression. If the gaits are good, and pure, the gait scores should reflect that. A momentary sucking back or teeny shy in a very windy arena should not be reflected in the gaits scores. It it continues, it will be reflected in the submissiveness score. A score of 6.4 does not equal a score of 64% in a USEF test and is not something to rave about. A score of 9.5 is a great score, but does NOT translate to a score of 95% in a USEF test.
And there are more tactful ways to tell people that they have problems. Hilda Gurney, at the same show where she said, “This is a horse that we would all like to ride, with wonderful gaits” went on to discuss the problems by saying that, “Unfortunately he is lacking in his basic training to the point where he has balance issues.”. That shows a good horse with a problem, while still respecting the rider. After all, sometimes an owner insists that the horse be shown in certain classes.
