The new tests are here and it’s all go for 2023. Make sure you have thrown out your hard copies of previous tests and deleted all the old ones on your devices. Now you can pay particular attention to only opening the 2023 Equestrian Australia tests!
There are changes that may be small but they are important ones, and to lose marks from not knowing the tests would be costly and unnecessary. It is now 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 – no longer 2A, 2B and 2C. With the Novice tests, they are simple and clear, and with so many wonderful horses now it is attention to detail and making certain that riders do all they can to impress the judges with the adjustability and the accuracy that the test can be ridden in.
The basic Training Scale is the most important principle to check; for any level of competition, these progressive training cornerstones must be adhered to. In simple terms, the Training Scale (Pyramid) from the basics up, in order are:
- Rhythm
- Relaxation
- Connection
- Impulsion
- Straightness
- Collection
From this Training Scale, riders, coaches and judges should all be on the same page and these cornerstones are the most important foundations for building your horse to its full potential. Judges must have a great eye and understanding of the training and not simply look at the flashiest mover and type. For sure these super-talented movers have an edge from the beginning in the competition arena, but if the Training Scale and the judges’ attention to glitches are not picked up in the early training, then the horses will never reach their full potential. It may get covered up in the basic levels and the flashiness may obscure the truth, but as the horse and rider progress it will become evident in decreasing scores that a lack of attention has been paid to one of the cornerstones.
Of course, it’s always about keeping the training in balance – not to be obsessive with one point but to always look at the overall picture and keep an open and individual perspective with each and every individual horse’s needs. Judges, to point out the good in the training – and most importantly pointing out where attention needs to be devoted – are the most helpful. It is no easy task to judge the Novice horse as there are so many things that can be mentioned, and above all, an eye with the thought of what is the most important thing to be corrected. So, the road to better scores and balance is where the real benefit of well-educated judges lay.
There is no incorrect frame in training to put a horse in, so long as it’s not forced and it is used to develop the correct muscles to help a horse’s balance and strength. Remembering that every horse is totally different and hence needs individually tailored exercises to enhance its overall attributes towards the ultimate Grand Prix athlete. Think of the horse as a junior level gymnast and the exercises that are used are individual and specific to build that gymnast’s physique and strength. Just because they are good at one specific vault, as it comes easily, is not of benefit to simply show and repeat this over and over, but it is better to develop balance and strength to enable a well-rounded group of vaults before going into the competition arena. The same is with the Novice dressage horse.
COMPETITION CRITERIA
The judges will be looking to see a horse that fits the competition criteria for this level. Words such as “poll, the highest point, over the back, rounder, better engagement, more throughness, better suspension” and the myriad terms can be applied to every dressage horse in varying degrees, and these comments should be more directed to the Training Scale.
It must be said that judges judge what is in front of them and hand out scores for each movement on the day at that time. It is important to realise the judges’ comments reflect the overall picture. At this level, words like “more uphill feeling, more forward to the contact, more containing the forwardness, always in front of the leg, watch the tempo is steady and regular, slower tempo for a better cadenced trot, better balance through a more waiting tempo” and the like, should reflect the most important overall emphasis that needs to be put back to the rider’s mind.
If a Novice horse is still a little downhill, (the comments “poll up” is fair enough but too many riders then just pull the poll up) the poll could be low because the horse needs to be in front of the leg, and through transitions and exercises the shoulders raise and so does the poll as an end result of the entire forehand becoming lighter. The competition performance must be kept in perspective. Judges must think of the Training Scale to help the rider and coach and comment to this pyramid. Rhythm, Relaxation, Connection, Impulsion and Straightness that leads to Collection. The Novice horse must have the first level then the next and so on, but if a horse shows great impulsion, but is not with rhythm and relaxation, then it’s not correct. So, good impulsion must go hand in hand with the scale and cannot be well rewarded on its own to the detriment of the overall impression and Training Scale.
If you think you want to only compete at a winning level, then stay at home and train hard and consistently for the horse’s future before going and competing. If you wish to compete while still in more of a training feel where the frame and way of going is in a transitory phase, understand that the judges can’t give big marks thinking of the future, but must mark what is in front of them as its very much and importantly about the present!
Of course, competition isn’t always for the purpose of winning, but to get a feel for the horse in that environment and so many other factors. Acclimatisation to competition, and the rigours associated with it, are immense; competition days are invaluable to set you where you are in the scheme of things.
OPEN-EYED & OPEN-MINDED
Also remember that competitions come along in the development of the training. Do not fall for the trap of changing things all around to make your horse look more competitive a week out from the test and abandon the consistent Training Scale for simply covering up. Competition and riding a Novice test hold differing values for each horse and rider and to remain open-eyed and open-minded and realise that every judge is actually giving you their opinion – and they did not ask you to come for their opinion – you came to get their input and that’s what you will get.
Because you are training in a lower and deeper frame as the horse is still weak over the back, realise this, don’t abandon the idea. Simply realise when the judge says, “needs to be more uphill and off the shoulders” it will happen in the future. Just don’t pull the poll up to falsify the training and no longer have the horse over the back and impulsive and straight. The Training Scale goes hand in hand with progression and the importance is to think of the wellbeing, physically and mentally, for the future and the longevity to see the horse through to its highest possible potential of which only time and careful training will tell. Keep the judges’ honest comments in mind when you train and work on exercises to produce what they see. Do not force a shape that will only be foolish in terms of long-term results.
With 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 there are very few changes, but be sure to delete the 2022 tests from your head and read the new ones carefully and plan. One wonderful feature in the written words are the blue directions; why they are so good is that they let you know where the movement ends and the next begins, and that’s so good for the rider and especially the judge.
The words at the top of the test sheet are excellent.
Purpose: To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, and in addition to the requirements of Preliminary Level, has developed the thrust to achieve improved balance and throughness and maintains a more consistent contact with the bit.
(2.1) Introduces: 10m half circles in trot, 15m circles in canter, lengthening of the strides in trot.
(2.2) Introduces: Leg-yielding and lengthening of stride in canter.
(2.3) Introduces: 10m circles in trot, canter change of lead through trot, counter canter.
Instructions: To be ridden in a snaffle. All trot sitting or rising unless stated otherwise.
It is always nice to see rising trot on the younger level horses as they are as yet not that strong over the back and riders are usually easier and more relaxed in the rising trot and with the scale of training, rhythm and relaxation are the first two criteria. This is not to say that some riders can ride it all in sitting trot. Sitting trot from rising before any transition up or down is encouraged as it shows good balance and management and control. Sitting trot for sure has its places in the Novice tests, but with tenuous balance at this level, rising can be an advantage and often encourages a more positive forward desire which in turn helps balance.
Riders at this level should pay the utmost attention to the lines they ride, and that the circles are exactly as asked; each rider must know where the circles touch the track and where 10 and 15-metre circles lay in symmetry with the arena. Transitions and lines go from marker to marker, remembering that the marker is at the position of the rider for the tradition. So, for the halt at X the rider’s seat is directly over X! The more riders ride very good lines, then the more the horse comes to the rider’s aids. Lines and corners and circles should all be instinctive and ridden as perfectly as possible every time in training, not just at the competition.
Corners aren’t something that riders only perform in competition, they are a daily occurrence and in fact every time you go around the arena there are four corners to train the balance and acceptance of the rider’s aids.
CLEAR DIRECTIVES
Another great help is the column on the test with the directives. These directives are clear and wonderful. Simply read them for each movement and realise what you need to do to get the good marks. The judges will be looking at the directives and that is what they want to see. Nothing mysterious and weird as to what they want. It’s there in black and white!
E.g. 2.1, movement 1, the entry.
Regularity and quality of the trot; willing clear transition; straightness, attentiveness; immobility (3 seconds!)
That’s so great and simple and clear; train for this every day and know and realise what they are looking for!
E.g. 2.1, movement 5, lengthening strides on the diagonal.
Moderate lengthening of frame and stride; regularity and quality of trot; straightness; consistent tempo; willing, clear transitions; bend and balance in corner.
The directives are simple and so clear. It is a very informative document now so read and digest it all. What is really interesting is that in every directive there is attention to the bend and balance in the corners. And there are a lot of corners in each test!
The Novice tests all flow well and it’s important to be super accurate and follow the directives. Read through the directives for what the judges want every day you train at home, and when you ride the movement in training let those words ring in your head and see if you think they are achievable every time you ride a corner, a line, a transition, or a circle.
It’s a fabulous level and you should enjoy the freedom and flow of these tests and enjoy the training and self-discipline. Compete for your own self and your own horse and your own goals and aspirations. Compare within your own ambition, ability and experience and strive for a well-balanced and willing partnership through patient and thoughtful lessons. Compare your performances and see the improvement. Keep the judges’ comments in perspective and simply get better each ride. EQ
You can access the new Novice tests via the below links:
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ BY ROGER FITZHARDINGE:
10 Tips for Riding the Novice Tests – Equestrian Life, August 2020 (based on the old Novice tests but still very insightful)
