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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 #8599
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NAME:Michelle Mathes
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JUDGE:Charlotte Trentelman
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Points Possible:
200
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Final Score: 75.000%
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USDF INTRODUCTORY LEVEL – TEST C
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TESTDIRECTIVESPOINTS*TOTALREMARKS
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1A

X		Enter working trot rising.

Halt through medium walk. Salute - Proceed working trot rising.		Straightness on centerline and in transitions; clear trot rhythm.77Nice entry. Move off should be straighter.
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2CTrack right, working trot rising.Balance and bend in turn.77Could show better bend.
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3BCircle right 20 meters.Roundness and size of circle; clear trot rhythm and bend.88
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4A




Before A		Circle right 20 meters developing working canter in first quarter of the circle, right lead.

Working trot rising.		Roundness and size of circle; clear canter rhythm and bend.77Could be better balanced. Slight head tilt.
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5(Transition in & out of canter).Balance and smoothness.88Prompt.
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6K-X-MChange rein, working trot rising.Trot rhythm and straightness on diagonal; bend through corners.7.57.5Slightly against hand in connection. Needs to be more consistent.
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7ECircle left 20 meters.Roundness and size of circle; clear trot rhythm and bend.88
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8A




Before A		Circle left 20 meters developing working canter in first quarter of the circle, left lead.

Working trot rising		Roundness and size of circle; clear canter rhythm and bend.7.57.5
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9(Transition in & out of canter).Balance and smoothness.7.57.5Braced in return to trot.
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10Between F & BMedium walk.Willing and balanced transition; clear walk rhythm.77Early transition. (Watch accuracy!)
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11B-H





H		Free walk.





Medium walk.		Complete freedom to stretch neck forward and downward; clear walk rhythm, straightness on the diagonal;

Willing and balanced transition; clear walk rhythm.ground cover.		88Clear rhythm and stretch.
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12Between C & MWorking trot rising to A.Willing and balanced transition; clear trot rhythm.7.57.5Smooth. Could be more prompt.
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13A

X		Down centerline.

Halt through medium walk. Salute.		Straightness on centerline; willingness, balanced transition and halt.77Needs better bend in turn at A. Halt needs to be a little more sustained.
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Leave arena in free walk. Exit at A.
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COLLECTIVE MARKSPOINTSTOTALREMARKS
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1GaitsFreedom and regularity88
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2ImpulsionDesire to move forward with suppleness of the back and steady tempo.77Not equally supple left and right. Needs to improve bending to right.
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3SubmissionAcceptance of steady contact, attention, and confidence.7.5215Obedient, but, not always consistent in connection.
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4Rider’s Position and SeatKeeping in balance with the horse7.57.5Balanced with horse. Heels needs to be more under hips to achieve a more secure leg.
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5Rider’s Correct and Effective Use of the AidsCorrect bend and preparation of transitions7.57.5Aids need to create more consistent bending.
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6Geometry and AccuracyCorrect size and shape of circles and turns88
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Beautiful horse that shows obedience and harmony. Work for equal suppleness and strength over topline to increase consistency in bending and connection.
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POINTS:150
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ERRORS:0
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SUBTOTAL:150
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SCORE:75.000%
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Hi Points: Rhythm is clear in all three gaits and this obedient horse and rider show a lot of harmony.

Points for Improvement: There are some balance issues when preparing and starting circles. Rider's lower leg needs to be more quiet. There is an occasional slight nod through the poll in trot work.

What to work on: I think that if the rider's balance improves, her leg aids will become more steady and the horse's balance and connection will improve. The slight nod that occurs in the trot may indicate that the horse needs to be pushing more actively from it's hindquarters and showing more articulation in the hind leg joints.

Exercises to try: You can check your balance in two ways: 1) At a standstill while sitting on the horse, stand up straight in the stirrups. If your leg isn't under you, or you have to grip too hard with your knees to keep this, gravity will pull you back into the seat. You should be able to balance like this for an indefinite period of time. If you can, then try the same position at the walk, trot, and canter. Keeping a straight back, you may need to lean slightly forward.
2) When posting the trot, try rising for two beats and sitting for one (up, up,down--up, up, down). If your leg is too far in front of you, you'll feel yourself being pulled back into the saddle.
To get your heel more under your hip, draw it back without bending your knee--hint: open your hip (like a runner's lunge).

Once you are more balanced, work to make your arms more elastic in the feel on the reins by giving on rein forward and then taking is back gently. Follow that with the same on the opposite rein, and then both reins. Give rather than take. If the horse feels that the connection isn't soft and giving, it tends to "back" off the connection--and lose throughness from behind. This exercise can start at the walk, and go to the trot. When you get to the canter, you will feel how strong your core/seat must be to keep the horse balanced without bracing on the reins. (Bracing causes the loss of balance, especially on circles and transitions.)

All in all, I totally enjoyed watching your rides on this lovely horse. Good luck with future levels!
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