8762 Andrea

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
1				PURPOSE: Tests provide an introduction to the discipline of Western Dressage; the horse performs only at the walk and jog. The rider should demonstrate correct basic position, use of basic aids, and understanding of the figures. The horse should show relaxation; harmony between horse and rider is important. The horse accepts the aids and influence of the rider. The jog should be a natural gait within the horse's scope and should demonstrate a swinging back.			RIDER #	8762
2							Rider Name	Andrea Rice
3							Judge:	Charlotte Trentelman
4							Max Pts:	220
5							Final Score:	69.318%
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8	2022 WDAA INTRO LEVEL TEST 1
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10			TEST	DIRECTIVES	POINTS	*	TOTAL	REMARKS
11	1	A C	Enter working jog, proceed down center line without halting Track left, working jog	Straightness; regularity and quality of the jog; balance and bend in the turn.	7.5		7.5	Entry fairly straight. Could be more steady in bridle.
12	2	E - B B	Half circle left 20m, working jog Proceed straight ahead, working jog	Balance and inside bend on the half circle; straightness; regularity and quality of the jog.	7		7	Good energy, but, mouth open.
13	3	Between M & C	Develop working walk	Willing, smooth transition; balance and bend in the corners; regularity and quality of the walk.	6.5		6.5	Prompt transition. Stiffens shoulders in walk.
14	4	H - B B	Change rein, free walk Working walk	Horse willing to freely stretch the neck forward and down; relaxation; swing through the back; ground cover; willing, smooth transition; regularity and quality of the walks.	6.5	2	13	Could show more reach and overstep.
15	5	F	Halt 4 seconds. Proceed working walk	Balance in transition to square, straight halt; immobility; willing, smooth transition; regularity and quality of the walk; balance and bend in the corner.	9	2	18
16	6	Between A & K	Develop working jog	Willing, smooth transition; straightness; regularity and quality of the jog	7		7	Needs to be more prompt in transiton with more immediate energy.
17	7	E - B B	Half circle right 20m, working jog Proceed straight ahead, working jog	Balance and inside bend on the half circle; straightness; regularity and quality of the jog.	7.5		7.5	Slightly braced in poll.
18	8	Between F & A	Develop working walk	Willing, smooth transition; balance and bend in the corner; regularity and quality of the walk.	6		6	Prompt in transition, but, loses clarity in the walk by stiffening shoulders.
19	9	K - B B	Change rein, free walk Working walk	Horse willing to freely stretch the neck forward and down; relaxation; swing through the back; ground cover; willing, smooth transition; regularity and quality of the walks.	7	2	14	Needs to stretch down more with neck.
20	10	M	Halt 4 seconds Proceed working walk	Balance in transition to square, straight halt; immobility; willing, smooth transition; regularity and quality of the walk; balance and bend in the corner.	5	2	10	Balanced backwards. Not straight to aids.
21	11	Between C - H H - X - F	Develop working jog Change rein, working jog	Willing, smooth transition; balance and bend in the corners; straightness; regularity and quality of the jog	7		7	Energetic, but needs to be more balanced and less braced through neck.
22	12	A X G	Down centerline Working walk Halt, salute	Balance and bend in the turn; straightness; regularity and quality of the jog; willing, smooth transition; regularity and quality of the walk; balance in downward transition to square, straight halt; immobility.	7		7	Could be straigter in walk transition and halt.
23	Leave arena in free walk. Exit at A.
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25		COLLECTIVE MARKS			POINTS		TOTAL	REMARKS
26		1	Gaits	Freedom and regularity	6.5		6.5	Walk tends to lose clear 4 beat rhythm.
27		2	Impulsion	Desire to move forward with suppleness of the back and steady tempo.	7		7	Needs to develop more suppleness over topline.
28		3	Rider’s Position, Seat, and Hands	Well-balanced elastic seat demonstrating vertical, centered alignment, with light independent contact from hand(s)	7.5		7.5
29		4	Rider’s Correct and Effective Use of the Aids	Evidenced by the horse's responsiveness; steady elastic connection cultivating athletic expression. Accuracy - precise placement of the figures and transitions, the effectiveness of the rider's aids determines the accurate fulfillment of the required movements of the tests	7		7	Aids need to create a more steady, soft acceptance of bit; and, develop more willingness to stretch down with neck.
30		work for band to be on outside aids.	Harmony	The horse accepts the aids and influence of the rider with attention, relaxation and confidence; and demonstrates a willing partnership between horse and rider resulting in a free flowing performance	7	2	14	Obedient, but, at times tense in connection. Balance needs to be more consistent.
31		Beautiful horse, fairly accurate test! Horse needs to develop more strength over topline to stretch into more consistent light connection and maintain a more steady balance.
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36		POINTS:	152.5
37		ERRORS:	0
38		SUBTOTAL:	152.5
39		SCORE:	69.318%
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41		#8762 Andrea Rice on Foolish Breeze/ Introductory test 1 Hi Points of Test: Overall, this is a beautiful horse that looks perfect for Western Dressage. The rider is balanced and quite accurate. Points Needing Improvement: Horse doesn't always accept connection and tries at times to lean on the bit--losing balance and causing the tempo to change. Aids need to help this horse learn to stretch forward and down into a more elastic connection with reins. What you should work on: Connection, improving the quality of the walk, and keeping the horse on the aids in halts. Ideas: 1) About the bit: I rarely say this on my final remarks in tests, but, since this horse seems to be willing--I'd check his teeth, and/or perhaps try a different bit. There are moments when he seems to be leaning on connection and stiffening his poll. Since this is not pervasive in the whole test, I'd rule out a few things. You actually need a bit that you can take contact with to help the horse learn to stretch into a rounder topline. The rounder topline will help the horse develop more strength over its back and improve the walk. 2) The walk: When your horse stiffens the contact, it shortens it steps in front, causing a loss of a "secure 4 beat rhythm". The rhythm of the walk needs to be 4 beats, equally spaced. If you have trouble feeling this, look at a video and see whether or not the front and hind legs, from the side, create a V under the horse. A horse that isn't supple over its back won't step under with its hind leg and "meet" the front leg before it leaves the ground. This gives the impression of a pacing walk which is not desired. From the ground, spend some time doing carrot stretches, with the horse stretching down as far as possible and with the nose coming down and to its chest. From the saddle, at the walk, take up enough connection (with your leg on) so that, when you relax your arms, the horse pulls forward. At that point, your arms must be light and following. Be ready to repeat this process so that the horse begins to do a give and take oscillation with its head and neck. Horses pull against pressure, so, if you take back they will want to "brace"--be ready to relax your arms when your horse does this. The end result is that you will allow the horse to move its head more in the walk, without changing the light pressure that you create. Don't forget to use leg to encourage the horse to be more active. This can also be done at the jog. Caution: Too much seat at the walk (or jog) will depress the back and raise the head. (Think of coming up behind someone and pushing on their shoulder blades.) You want your seat aids to be light. 3) The halt: Your first halt was wonderful! The second lost points because the horse balanced a half step backward and seemed anxious to go on. Be very patient when your horse want's to move out quickly. Try to make the horse wait 10 seconds--or longer, to train this. Work to make the horse learn that you can keep your leg on (lightly) at the halt and it doesn't mean to walk off. Takes patience! This is a nice horse, and, I'd like to encourage you to keep on training up the levels. Good Luck! Charlotte Trentelman
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