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Test Writing Committee Report Committee Chair Betsey Berry gave a rundown of the anticipated changes, and invited input from attendees, though could not promise more than that they would be given consideration. With the exception of the Intro and Freestyle Tests (First through Fourth, Pas de Deux and Quadrille), this is an advisory committee, since actual changes are made by USEF. USDF has complete control of the Intro and Freestyle Tests. Thank you to Mike Matson for his assistance/clarification regarding rule changes applying to the Freestyle Tests. Intro Tests Will change 12/1/06: None to A. In test B, the working trot rising from A to E, and the circle are combined so that both tests will have the same number of total points. Freestyle Tests First Level: Lengthenings will offer the option of sitting vs. rising. The wording for both the canter circles will become “15 meter or smaller.” More clarity to artistic wording will be added at all levels, so that agility will be defined as the ability to change gait and direction without losing balance, and suitability will be described as the music matching the freestyle with respect to the horse’s movement and gaits (tempo). These are but two examples. The goal for all tests is to make them BOTH rider and judge friendly, so that movements are more visible to the judge, and to allow the judge more time for scoring, and to shorten overly long tests while still accomplishing the goals of the test/levels. USEF Tests Training Level 1 and 2: No changes 3 and 4: Final halt and salute will be at G; they will now allow the turns at E (or B) then up center-line to be half of 10 meter circle rather the two square turns. Stretchy circles directions changed. 4: Score after canter circle to be combined with canter circle. First Level Free walk to medium walk transition score will be added, because it is felt to be an important training issue (through all tests). The free walk and medium walk will be separate scores. There will be 4 walk scores as per the current drafts. The idea is that the walk is the easiest to interfere with, and the test writers want to make sure the rider does that correctly. In tests 1-3, there will be an option to either sit or rise in the lengthenings. In test 4, sitting will be required. The stretchy circle is considered a “reward” and will occur towards the end of the tests. Second Level 1: Coefficients are now on both shoulder-ins. 2: Simple change descriptions is now changed to precision, balance, and connection in transitions. 3: Canter stretch circle remains, but there is more emphasis on lightness of the forehand and balance. The horse must show some stretch over the topline while remaining in balance in the canter. 4: Medium canter out of counter canter has been eliminated. The counter canter will carry a double coefficient, and will be held through the short side. The two 10 meter circles after the halt will be eliminated. The score for the change from shoulder-in to renvers is eliminated. The movement is now written as shoulder-in to E (or B), then renvers. Third Level 3: Rewritten for canter because everything was away from judge. It has simply been rearranged. There are no new movements. Fourth Level 1: Strides of very collected canter are now to be ridden from quarter line to quarter line, rather than just a few strides. They are looking for the willingness to carry additional weight on the hindquarters. The transition score after the medium canter has been removed. 2: Totally different and not done yet. Rather than 1/4 pirouette, they will be working on 1/2 pirouette with more direction for placement. Current thought is 8 meter volté at R, then R towards V ridden in very collected canter, with 1/2 “working” pirouette of 5 meters, then back with flying change at R is type of movement that is currently being considered. Scoring will take into account the preparation for the pirouette. The movement will have a double coefficient. 3: Changing to shorten the test but have to keep it balanced. It isn’t finished yet. They are trying to make the test balanced, while shortening it at the same time. For sure, the circles in the middle of the medium trot will be moved to between shoulder-ins on the center-line instead. They want to have a Fourth Level that competitors want to ride, rather than skip, and are working very hard to make the tests inviting. |
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