Riding From Centerline

On the 2019 tests (and 2015) intro dressage tests it states on the front that all turns from centerline should be ridden as a half circle.

I did that on my test in an attempt to gain points by being technical but I actually lost points and was told I needed to go into the corner. It was just a schooling show but I really wanted to point it out to the judge but I obviously didn’t. Am I incorrect? What would you do?

Was it a recognized show? If not, was the judge a “real” judge (at least an L graduate) or the local pro judging the tests? At recognized shows there are complaint forms you can fill out and send in and I believe you can find them on line. If it was a schooling show you can reach out to show management and mention it…

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Were you doing half 10m circles?
Did you touched the rail between the corner and A/C?
Because that is how you should do your corners at Intro.

Here is an example in drawing for a 6m quarter circle/corner from PSG level and up on the leff, and a 10m half circle/corner from Intro to First.

https://dressagetraining.tv/riding-up-the-center-line/

IMMHO, 2d, 3rd and 4th level play between 10m and 6m depending on the level of collection reached.

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Yes it is supposed to be a half 10 meter circle unless I am misunderstanding the directions on the test.

“Turns from centerline to long side and long side to centerline should be ridden as half circles, touching the track at a point midway between the centerline and the corner, and vice versa.”

However, when I go to “Diagrams and callsheets for 2019 USDF dressage tests” the diagram posted does not reflect what it states on the actual test sheet, it shows deep squared corners even going from centerline.

Are the diagrams and callsheets from USDF or USEF, or from a third party? Because the third party may be wrong. I googled your phrase, and founda third party site that does have those corners wrong. Best to fiind official diagrams.

No they are not from any official org, which just makes it even more confusing for those wanting those kinds of diagrams. When you follow what the test says to do, the judge says it’s wrong and marks you off, and then these third party sites are wrong too. :confused:

Also, you need to make a distinction between your corners and your 20m circles.

Could it be possible that what you did, despite thinking you had the right geometry, weren’t half 10m circles?

Half 10m circles still go into corners.

Frustrating that the diagram does not show the completion of the arc to (or from, depending on whether one is coming on or off centerline) the rail for either option. Geometry was never a strong suit of mine. I think if one is riding a 10m circle, one would come back to the rail slightly AFTER the letter, since the letter is 6m from the corner, correct? But just how far after?

I guess my visualization of it would not be the same as “going in to the corner” since you would not be going on a straight line between C and the corner at any point, you are just supposed to touch it at the top of the arc, 10m being half the width of a 20m arena.

no 1/2 circles do not go into corners, then then would not be 1/2 circles

OP if this is intro or training level test then I would not expect a green horse to go deeply to corners before and after the CL unless you can show it with exceptional skill.

You should not be penalized by riding the turns onto and from the CL as a half circle, but you may earn a slight bonus for a deeper corner, if done correctly and well.

I dont recall ever seeing a USEF test with such a directive, though will admit to not really paying attention. The turn onto/off the CL should be something your trainer should be schooling with you as part of ring craft for showing

without seeing your actual test I cannot imagine what the judge saw. You may have over shot the orientation of the straightness on the long side ; not straight on the long side at the letter.

Sometimes it helps to read your comments with the unsaid words " for better score" before or after the comment

Diagrams are just there to help out for basic directions.
The Mayi one also shows Intro in a 20x60m arena, not really ideal when you want to see correct geometry.

What you need is a trainer on the ground explaining to you where and how to do the figures.

Half a 10m is still a corner at that level. Not a deep one, but a corner nonetheless. But the deeper you go, the better.

Once you are shallower than 10m, you lose points for sure as you didn’t do a corner.

Don’t aim at a circle. Do your half 10m corners.

ETA: Corners are indeed 1 quarter of 6m circle.
But at lower level, the 10m circle is often challenging enough and makes riders still go deeper into corners.

No, it would be prior, at 5m.

From CL toward C: You start your turn 1m after G, you touch the short side track at the quarter line and get back on track 1m before M.

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I would think one would (should) be penalized if you rode a deeper corner, no matter how well, because the test explicitly states that the corners should be ridden as 10m half-circles, touching only a point between A/C and the corner. Maybe I can ride a 15 m circle really well, but if that’s what I do when the test asks for a 20, I’d be penalized.

Radius vs. diameter! Told you geometry wasn’t my strongest suit.

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This is a recurring debate, what to do when a horse/rider combination successfully demonstrates skills above that required at any given level. Since that typically involves increasing the difficulty, it’s unlikely they will be penalized unless as in the example you give (15m circle instead of 20m circle) they do not do the required movement. A corner, in and of itself isn’t really a movement.

In the L program, there is explicit training regarding how to judge turn on the haunches/hindquarters. If a rider successfully executes a walk pirouette instead, they are rewarded and will score higher than a properly executed TOH because of the increased level of difficulty. If a rider executes a poor walk pirouette, they are penalized and scored lower than a properly executed TOH.

This.

Also, they are asking for half 10m circles because it makes the tests flow in a smoother way.
Riders still get the idea of what a correct corner should be compared to a 20m circle.

You see less pulling and botched square corners.

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