9088 Gabriela

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
1				PURPOSE: 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).			RIDER #	9088
2							NAME:	Gabriela Beaulieu
3							JUDGE:	Charlotte Trentelman
4							Points Possible:	160
5							Final Score:	68.125%
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7	USDF INTRODUCTORY LEVEL – TEST A
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9			TEST	DIRECTIVES	POINTS	*	TOTAL	REMARKS
10	1	A Between X & C	Enter working trot rising. Medium walk.	Straightness on centerline and in transition; clear trot and walk rhythm.	8		8	Straight entry with good energy.
11	2	C M	Track right. Working trot rising.	Balance and bend in turn. Quality of transition.	5.5		5.5	Come a little closer to C before turning, and try to touch the short side on your way to M. Resisting aids to trot and avoiding contact in trot.
12	3	A	Circle right 20 meters, working trot rising.	Roundness and size of circle; clear trot rhythm and bend.	5.5		5.5	Bent to outside.
13	4	K-X-M	Change rein.	Clear trot rhythm and straightness on diagonal; bend through corners.	6.5		6.5	Ride more into corner before and after your letters.
14	5	C	Circle left 20 meters, working trot rising.	Roundness and size of circle; clear trot rhythm and bend.	8		8	Shows energy stretch to reins
15	6	Between C & H	Medium walk.	Willing and balanced transition; clear walk rhythm.	7		7	Smooth transition. Doesn't appear to go through corner to H.
16	7	H-X-F	Free walk.	Complete freedom to stretch neck forward and downward; clear walk rhythm, straightness on the diagonal; ground cover.	6.5		6.5	Could be more active in steps. Doesn't appear to go from letter to letter.
17	8	F-A A	Medium walk. Down centerline	Willing and balanced transition; clear walk rhythm, bending in corner and turn. Straightness on centerline.	7		7	Clear rhythm. Could march more.
18	9	X	Halt and salute.	Straightness; willing, balanced transition at halt.	6.5		6.5	Haunches left.
19	Leave arena in free walk. Exit at A.
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21		COLLECTIVE MARKS			POINTS		TOTAL	REMARKS
22		1	Gaits	Freedom and regularity	7		7	Walk could show more freedom.
23		2	Impulsion	Desire to move forward with suppleness of the back and steady tempo.	7.5		7.5	Energetic trot.
24		3	Submission	Acceptance of steady contact, attention, and confidence.	7	2	14	Accepts contact. Minor resistence at start of test.
25		4	Rider’s Position and Seat	Keeping in balance with the horse	7		7	Could be more centered in saddle.
26		5	Rider’s Correct and Effective Use of the Aids	Correct bend and preparation of transitions	7		7	Right circle needs more correct bend.
27		6	Geometry and Accuracy	Correct size and shape of circles and turns	6		6	Movements need to go from letter to letter. Show a difference between a corner and a circle when riding through the short side of ring.
28		This partnership shows energy and potential. Work on your accuracy in the test.
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33		POINTS:	109
34		ERRORS:	0
35		SUBTOTAL:	109
36		SCORE:	68.125%
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38		Highlights of Test: This pair came to ride forward and showed confidence and energy from the entry and throughout the test. It's refreshing to see a well groomed and turned out horse and rider. A plus is the horse/pony's ability and willingness to stretch down into connection over the topline. Points for Improvement: The rider could be a little more centered in the saddle. The pony's walk could be more active. The test could be ridden more accurately. Ideas to Try: For your posture and balance in the saddle: You seem to tend to put more weight to the right in this test. We should always try to be centered in the saddle, or, have slightly more weight on the inside stirrup. To do this, when going to the left, stretch tall, and look over your OUTSIDE shoulder. You should feel your weight coming more to the inside. On a circle, do this in preparation, and also once or twice on the circle. For an active walk: Sit light in the saddle and ask for more activity with your leg (light and quick taps). If the pony breaks to a trot, don't take your leg off. Just keep it on and settle back to the walk. Then repeat the aid. What you are telling the pony is that trotting isn't what this aid means--by taking the pony back to the walk without stopping your leg aid, you are telling it to try something else. Expect the pony to break gait while this training is going on. Eventually, it will accept the aid and be more active in the walk without trotting. But, this takes time and patience! Also, challenge the pony to do this while giving complete freedom with the reins--as in a free walk. Accuracy: To show that you are going through a corner from the centerline, as in your entry to the test, you don't have to go close to C. Turn a little before and aim to touch the rail on the short side halfway between C and the corner. Then, turn before the corner, but, be on the long side before the corner letter. Corners don't have to be short turns, but they need to be different from circles. On a circle, say from C, aim for a spot after the corner letter (about 10 feet). That gives you a start for a round 20 meter circle. The saying is "Circles don't have corners!" But also, circles shouldn't touch the corner letters, either. When riding across the diagonal, rider from letter to letter, not from corner to corner. If you are going from H to F, line up your pony's right ear with F. Then you'll get to the letter in time to make a smoother corner after F. I enjoyed watching your ride and hope you'll continue. Good Luck! Charlotte Trentelman
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