When comparing Eventing Dressage scores with straight Dressage scores also remember that the judging directives are somewhat different, and the collective marks are VERY different.
For instance, (Eventing) Prelim A is ROUGHLY equivalent to First 3
The “Purpose” for First 3 says
“To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, and in addition to the requirements of Training Level, has developed improved balance, lateral suppleness and throughness, as well as the thrust to perform lengthenings of strides. The horse should be on the bit.”
The “Purpose” for Prelim A says
“To confirm that the horse and rider, in addition to the requirements of the Modified level, have an understanding of the development of thrust to achieve improved balance in a clear and steady rhythm and maintain a more consistent contact with the bit and roundness of the top line. … Accuracy of movements and transitions now becomes more important.”
Notice that straight Dressage talks about “lateral suppleness”, “throughness” and “on the bit”. It does not explicitly mention “rhythm” or “accuracy”.
Eventing Dressage does not mention “lateral suppleness”, or “throughness”, but does say “roundness of the top line”. It does not mention “on the bit” but does say “consistent contact with the bit”. It explicitly mentions “a clear and steady rhythm” and “accuracy”.
On top of that, the collectives are very different.
Straight Dressage has 5 collectives, worth a maximum of 70 points (almost 20% of the total score).
Eventing Dressage has only one collective mark (“Harmony of Horse and Rider”), worth a maximum of 20 points (just over 10% of the total score)
In particular, Eventing Dressage does not have a separate score for “Gaits”. (This was intentional)
So the same horse and rider, under the same judge, performing the same movements the same way, might get a different score depending on whether it was being judged with straight Dressage “Purpose” and “Collective Marks” vs Eventing Dressage “Purpose” and “Collective Marks”.
