Saluting Question

[MontysGal]

Sorry, silly question - I know there was a thread about it here, but I cannot find it and this search function is driving me nuts.

I’m going to try a walk/trot schooling show test, which salute is it that you bridge the rein and do a proper/real salute?
At the beginning or end of test?

I remember there being a thread that said if you bridge your reins for the wrong salute it’s considered losing your rein and is a fault, I doubt they’d be that strict at a schooling show but if I’m learning, I may as well learn it correctly.

[jdobbs64]

you halt and salute at X when you start the test and at the end. Watch Youtube for well-scored versions of the test you’re preparing for, it’ll help give you an idea.

here’s a super good one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp64hY4qOw4

[RedmondDressage]

Since when do you not salute at the end? Is that a particular test? The test you’re riding will specify when to halt/salute. Some of the intro tests for example don’t include a halt at the beginning IIRC. It doesn’t matter how you hold your reins in your left hand, just as long as your saluting hand is free (i.e. no reins, no whip).

[Aleuronx]

Per USEF rules DR122: 2. Salute. At the salute riders must take the reins in one hand. All riders shall let one arm drop loosely along his/her
body and then incline his/her head in a slight bow. The military salute is only permissible when riding in uniform.

This is how you should salute at any point in which the test you are riding dictates it.

Schooling shows may vary with their use/interpretation of the rules.

[jdobbs64]

Redmond! EEK. I maybe having some serious old-timers today! LOL! OOPS. let me go fix that ~

[MysticOakRanch]

If you are riding USDF Intro tests… In Intro Test A, you enter and do NOT halt, you perform the entire test, then you halt and salute at the END of the test. In Intro B and Intro C, you enter, halt, salute, and also end the test with a halt and salute. Look at the actual test sheet - it will tell you when and where to halt and salute.

In ALL the tests, you end with a halt and salute. ONLY in Intro A is there no salute at the beginning of the test. In that test, once the bell rings, you enter and ride the test - there is no “acknowledgement” of the judge (no nod, no meeting of the eyes, etc) at the beginning of the test - once they ring the bell, they are ready for you (and you have 45 seconds maximum to enter the ring).

So if you are riding the USDF Intro tests, read the test sheets. If the schooling show made up their own tests, then read their test sheets. If it says “halt and salute”, then you do exactly that.

[RedmondDressage]

[QUOTE=jdobbs64;8746159]
Redmond! EEK. I maybe having some serious old-timers today! LOL! OOPS. let me go fix that ~[/QUOTE]

LOL! I feel your pain. I have been in a brain fog all week :lol:

[joiedevie99]

[QUOTE=MontysGal;8746075]
I remember there being a thread that said if you bridge your reins for the wrong salute it’s considered losing your rein and is a fault, I doubt they’d be that strict at a schooling show but if I’m learning, I may as well learn it correctly.[/QUOTE]

Nope. Not a thing. There is only one way to salute, and you do it whenever the test tells you to. In Intro A (and some eventing tests that might be allowed at a schooling show), its only at the end. In the rest, its beginning and end.

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

[QUOTE=Aleuronx;8746118]
Per USEF rules DR122: 2. Salute. At the salute riders must take the reins in one hand. All riders shall let one arm drop loosely along his/her
body and then incline his/her head in a slight bow. The military salute is only permissible when riding in uniform.

This is how you should salute at any point in which the test you are riding dictates it.

Schooling shows may vary with their use/interpretation of the rules.[/QUOTE]

Does it drive anyone else insane when people do the flamboyant, arm outstretched, wonky salute? I’m one of the few who does the loose arm drop and slight bow. Only because I read the rules to do it this way.

[tm1]

[QUOTE=right horse at the right time;8746294]
Does it drive anyone else insane when people do the flamboyant, arm outstretched, wonky salute? I’m one of the few who does the loose arm drop and slight bow. Only because I read the rules to do it this way.[/QUOTE]

I think some people hold their arm out to the side so that they have very clearly shown the judge that they have taken their hand off the reins.

But if you do the flamboyant salute and tip your entire body forward as I’ve seen some folks do, your horse is more than likely going to assume you are asking him to walk forward, and will step out of the halt prematurely. So, from a photographer who has watched a LOT of riders give away points, keep the salute simple!

[dotneko]

Also, I was taught to keep palm facing backward - facing forward makes it look like you want a handout. That always stuck with me LOL.

[MontysGal]

Thank you all!

I checked the test as suggested, and it says salute beginning and end:
http://www.touchngofarms.com/pdf/Cadora_WalkTrot_testA.pdf

So that’s what I shall do! I will try not to be flamboyant or ask for any hand-outs! :lol: All awesome tips! I will also practice at home so my horse does not interpret that as a walk-forward command!

As always, COTH to the rescue. Thank you!

[merrygoround]

[QUOTE=dotneko;8746603]
Also, I was taught to keep palm facing backward - facing forward makes it look like you want a handout. That always stuck with me LOL.[/QUOTE]

That’s particularly true when gentlemen remove their hats. Seldom seen in the this day of helmets, and chin straps. :lol:

[see_u_at_x]

Also, if you are riding a test with more than one judge, you ONLY salute the judge at C. I had never seen or heard of anyone doing that before until someone did it at a fix-a-test clinic last month and the judge told them not to to do that again.

[sorrelfilly721]

[QUOTE=right horse at the right time;8746294]
Does it drive anyone else insane when people do the flamboyant, arm outstretched, wonky salute? I’m one of the few who does the loose arm drop and slight bow. Only because I read the rules to do it this way.[/QUOTE]

I wouldn’t say I do a “flamboyant” salute, but I definitely extend my hand a bit because I got points off at a show for not taking the reins in one hand. I had taken the reins in my left and dropped my right, but apparently the judge could not see it.

[Velvet]

Always drop my hand down, loosely on my right side. Palm towards thigh. BTW, you CAN have a whip in that hand. No rule against it. If you do, as I have a couple times, keep it in the hand, hanging straight down from your fingers. No harm, no foul. My horses know the difference between getting tapped with a whip and me moving it around. I sometimes use it to whip away mosquitos or flies, so they aren’t worried.

[egood]

Right arm extended down, slightly away from my body, fingers extended and together. Slight Nod of the head.

[Magicboy]

I hold reins in my right hand, whip there, too, and drop my left hand. I have always had trouble with one horse that wiggles at the halt and reins in my dominant hand helped me keep my seat and legs steady to hold the halt.

[Foxtrot_s]

My daughter was eight at a pony camp and was taught:

Reins in one hand - count - one: drop hand - two: nod head down - three: nod head up - four: bring hand up and take up reins.

so ever afterwards that is what I did.

I see a lot of top riders with very forward horses do a very rushed salute and hope that they can get it done before the horse starts up again, so a halt with various lengths of time is in our practices to try to prevent it. (Salinero is one).