What are judges expecting at intro level A?

[Alittledownhill]

Pretty much summed up in the header… I am considering entering a local schooling show in a few weeks in a walk/trot class that calls for 2015 intro test A. I really wanted to do a show before the season was over, and the h/j show where I intended to do a flat class was cancelled. The best available option is a 2-phase show (but riders can choose to do only the dressage test, which I think I will do).

Trainer says the expectations at this level will be pretty much the same as they would at a walk/trot equitation class. After watching some youtube videos of people doing the test, I’m worried that won’t exactly be the case.

I am not yet riding “on the bit”, but I’m not pulling or getting pulled around either. I can do a 20 meter circle accurately pretty much every time, but I’m not sure about the quality of the “bend”. My horse responds quickly to my leg, except when he prefers not to.

While I’m not expecting to go home with a blue ribbon, I don’t really want to place dead last.

Will I embarrass myself if my horse is not collected?
What is the difference between a “working walk” (which is what I’ve been taught) and a “medium walk” (which the test calls for)?
Should I be practicing with longer stirrups or in a different position?
The horses on youtube all seem to be braided. Will they expect that even at a schooling show?

and the dumbest question…

When a gait change is specified at a letter, do I want the change complete when the first part of the horse passes the letter or when all of him has passed it?

[gymangel812]

you will be fine doing an intro A schooling show. they don’t expect you to be on the bit. just go for accuracy and forward. stirrup length doesn’t matter much in that level and i don’t think they will be that picky on medium vs working walk. i don’t think you will need to braid, just make you and your horse look tidy.

[netg]

When a gait change is specified at a letter, do I want the change complete when the first part of the horse passes the letter or when all of him has passed it?

If you are asking this, you are WELL beyond qualified to ride intro A.

There are absolutely horses who really know what they’re doing with people who have never shown before competing at Intro A, where the horse will be on the bit and looking like an upper level horse. I figure those riders are beginners, and it’s a fun start to a challenging sport.

But in general, Intro means you can basically do the required gaits, maybe not steadily, maybe above the bit some, too slow and lacking impulsion, but you can get by. You will get comments intended to tell you how you could score higher, but “above the bit, needs to bend right” on a 20m circle could still get a 6, depending on the judge that day. (Keep in mind, you want to aim for 60% or higher, so a 6 is a perfectly respectable score for the level.)

In dressage there is no such thing as a “working walk” - the medium walk is what I would have called a working walk before dressage. The normal walk when you have rein contact.

You definitely should not be showing collection at that level! And on the bit is also not required.

You want to get your transition about when the shoulder is at the letter, but I thought Intro asked for transitions between two letters - in which case I’d make sure you’re past the first and the nose has not reached the second. For an intro test, riders will rarely be able to be exact about where the transition happens, so there is more leeway.

[atlatl]

Check out the purpose of the test at the top of the page:

To introduce the rider and/or horse to the sport of dressage. To show understanding of riding the horse forward with a steady tempo into an elastic contact with independent, steady hands and a correctly balanced seat. To show proper geometry of figures in the arena with correct bend (corners and circles). (emphasis mine)

Then look at the directive ideas for each movement, which it seems you have.

While it’s true that collection is not expected until 2nd level and at Intro, the horse isn’t expected to be “reliably on the bit”, don’t be surprised if others are rewarded for showing it.

All of your questions are good and show that you’re a thinking rider.

Good Luck!

[joiedevie99]

Do it!!! If you can steer, and do reliable walk/trot transitions, you will do fine! Don’t worry so much about how you place. That’s the beauty of dressage - you get a score on every movement, and comments to help you determine how you did.

As @atlatl said, the directives tell you what the judge wants to see. A forward moving horse that keeps a steady rhythm and an even contact on the reins, while making accurate figures, will do well. A horse that shows work “above the level” - i.e. being on the bit, better balance, etc. may score even higher - but you can’t let that take away from how you feel about doing appropriate work at the level.

No - don’t change anything about your position or your stirrups. You aren’t required to braid for a schooling show (or technically for a rated show, although everyone does). If you are worried, you can always email the secretary to ask what people normally do for this show.

If you want to read the explanations of the different gaits, you can go to usef.org and pull up the dressage rulebook. The important thing to know is that the medium walk is marching forward on contact. The free walk is the one where the horse stretches on a long rein.

[emipou]

And more accurately, you actually shouldn’t be collected. The test simply states elastic contact, and acceptance of contact.

Intro tests are more positive and encouraging. So just stick to walk/trot and do your best and smile, and you will probably do great

[lorilu]

Accuracy will set you apart from those who don’t know the geometry of the arena. Find out if it’s in a small arena (probably) or a large arena. The corner letters are different distances from the “corner” in small vs large arenas, and that can affect your accuracy of 20m circles at C/A, and accuracy of plain corners as well as when you turn up the CL at the end. Be sure you know where the circle at E/B goes - don’t make eggs. Show a nice relaxed walk in the free walk. it can be on light contact… you don’t have to throw the reins away. Try to get a square halt - practice it lots. That will also set you apart!

[Brown_Derby]

Know your test and how to do a proper salute. Groom that horse. Braiding for Intro is uncommon. I never show in whites at schooling shows but if you want to dress up, go for it. I always put quarter markers on the babies.

I align my boot to the letter. I’ve done it so long that I don’t even think about it.

It’s showtime. Your entry down the centerline should be straight and that’s harder than it looks. Likewise your final turn to the centerline should be as smooth as possible, and that ride to your final salute straight.

Free walk to medium walk should be a clear, almost obvious transition. A smooth precise shortening up your reins, making it very clear for the judge that you are actually doing something.

Try to relax and keep a steady energy.

Pack frozen margureita in cooler. Hang out and make new friends.

[ladyj79]

A lot of times in intro a the judges are really looking for the rider whose horse doesn’t jump out of the ring. It happens way more than one might imagine :lol:

[outerbanks77]

@ladyj79

A lot of times in intro a the judges are really looking for the rider whose horse doesn’t jump out of the ring. It happens way more than one might imagine :lol:

Yes. Intro at a schooling show is generally going to be mostly beginners and people getting very green horses used to the show environment. Just go and have fun, and don’t worry about the competition aspect so much.

[alibi_18]

In order of importance: (where you can get most points)

As square as possible halt.

Geometry : Use the corners, do your circles rounds, straight lines.

Horse quite stable on the bit : no head tossing relentlessly, giraffe neck/inverted.

Forward : Please, dressage doesn’t = slow.
Have some « purpose » in your free walk.

Be a gentle rider and use tact.
Those who jerks on the reins (to get the horse’s head down… :rolleyes:) get poor scores.
Even if your horse is disobedient (which you shouldn’t do anyway in such case) just calm down, resume and go on. No judge wants to see harsh riding in his/her ring.

[luvmycabanaboy]

I took the baby horse to a schooling show a few weeks ago and did the intro tests. This horse basically steers most of the time, in a generally pleasant manner sometimes. Our attention span is very short so a whole dressage test seemed very long. Judge was very encouraging and the comments were almost all around having a consistent contact and geometry. There were NO comments about being more collected, or more uphill, or any of those other buzzwords you often think when you think “dressage.” All of that comes later!!

We did not win the class (dang those cute kids on nice ponies!), but we came away with a very pleasant experience to build on for next time and LOTS of homework. This should be your goal for this level! Aim for pleasant, obedient, accurate, and you’ve got this in the bag!!

[AppaloosaDressage]

Can you post a video for us? Can you reliably ride the test at home accurately with an obedient, forward partner with a consistent (fairly) steady contact? Is your trainer advising you to compete or wait until it’s a bit more polished? Judges love to give good scores at intro but a good rule of thumb is to be solidly schooling the next level above what you’re showing.

[Rerider54]

@lorilu

Accuracy will set you apart from those who don’t know the geometry of the arena. Find out if it’s in a small arena (probably) or a large arena. The corner letters are different distances from the “corner” in small vs large arenas, and that can affect your accuracy of 20m circles at C/A, and accuracy of plain corners as well as when you turn up the CL at the end. Be sure you know where the circle at E/B goes - don’t make eggs. Show a nice relaxed walk in the free walk. it can be on light contact… you don’t have to throw the reins away. Try to get a square halt - practice it lots. That will also set you apart!

very correct except the distance of the ‘corner letters’ is six meters in both the large and small arenas.

Also, breathe…smile… and enjoy the ride.

[atlatl]

@emipou

And more accurately, you actually shouldn’t be collected. The test simply states elastic contact, and acceptance of contact.

There is a difference between collection not being required and “you actually shouldn’t be collected.” The purpose of intro is to introduce the horse and/or rider to the sport. A novice rider on an experienced schoolmaster is not going to be penalized for showing collection and will actually be rewarded.

[Pocket_Pony]

I think the most important thing at Intro is accuracy of geometry. Know what a 20-m circle looks like and where the “markers” are for each quarter of the circle. Ride a corner different from a circle. I was always taught that the transition is done when the rider’s leg is at the letter, but at Intro you’ll have “between C-M free walk” and “between F-A medium walk.”

Two years ago I took my then-4yo to here first show and we did the Intro tests - here’s our Intro A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gctTxLWAU7E

You can see she’s not steady in the bridle, we aren’t always straight, but I did my darndest to at least have good geometry and I was rewarded for it and even got comments on the test thanking me for my good geometry. So if nothing else, at least get your geometry right and you’ll be ok!

[Janet]

@Rerider54

very correct except the distance of the ‘corner letters’ is six meters in both the large and small arenas.

Yes, the “corner letters” (K,H,M,F) are all 6 meters from the end.

HOWEVER, the “next letters” are different.

In a small arena, the “next” letters" are E and B, and they are 20 meters from the short end, so your 20 m circle should touch the line between E and B.

In a standard (large) arena, the “next letters” are R. S, V, P, and they are 18 m from the short end, so your 20 m circle should go 2 m beyond them.

Also, as a couple of people have said, there is no such thing as “working walk” in dressage tests (I do not know why). Just collected, medium, and extended walk.

Don’t worry about it. Just go in there and ride well.

[Displaced_Yankee]

@ladyj79

A lot of times in intro a the judges are really looking for the rider whose horse doesn’t jump out of the ring. It happens way more than one might imagine :lol:

hangs head shamefully
My baby horse did this to me in Intro C.

Thankfully, it was a schooling show and the judge had me come in and school that movement for 2-3 minutes (not enough to hold up the ride times). We got it, thanked the judge and ended the day on that good note.

OP, I think the worst thing you could do is try and ride “above” where you have been schooling. Don’t get suckered by other intro riders having their horses “on the bit” or “round”. Ride your horse like any other day, review the judge’s comments and maybe share them with your trainer. Consider it a way to benchmark your progress. Heck, my progress at one point just keeping my cheeky pony in the arena!

[lorilu]

thx for the correction.

[Tanny98]

Glad this thread was started. I’m taking a greenie project to a schooling show tomorrow for the intro tests A & B. It’s mostly for us to just start getting used to going to new places more.