Trotting 'Round The Ring // A Ribbon Riders Show --- Welcome to Lost River's June Ribbon Riders horse show, Trotting 'Round The Ring! This is a schooling level dressage show, and offers Intro, Training, and First level tests. Please consider registering, the deadline is June 26th or when all slots are full. ** DISCLAIMER: The tests in this are not based on any real dressage tests (ex. FEI), and actual tests are not written down. RULES: - Your horse must have a complete tack set. This is considered as it follows: 1.) Properly fitting English grackle, cavesson, or bitless bridle with reins 2.) Properly fitting dressage or all-purpose saddle with girth and stirrups 3.) Properly fitting dressage or all purpose saddle pad (depends on the saddle you have). Flash nosebands, martingales, chestplates, half pads, etc. are all accepted as long as they're properly fitted. Depending on the horse, a bareback pad may be accepted as long as there's a reason you're doing this AND you have permission from me. - This is a one-day competition, which means that your horse must be in or near your trailer any time where you are not riding. One of our pastures will be converted to a parking lot for all trailers, and mesh fencing will be provided to give your horse a mini-pasture. Do not exceed the amount of horses that is safe for your trailer (ex. 1 horse trailer = 1 horse, 4 horse trailer = 4 horses MAX) - You are responsible for bringing your horse water; however if your horse is found without water (as long as it's not a cooldown) you will be eliminated from the show. - You cannot enter two of your horses in the same class (Intro, Training, or First). However, you can enter two different horses in different classes. (ex. I can enter Horse 1 in Intro and Horse 2 in Training, but I can't enter both Horse 1 and Horse 2 in Training). - Horses can be entered in multiple tests within their class, but one horse can't do more than one class. (ex. I could enter Horse 3 in Intro A, B, and C, or I could just do A [there's no need to do all of the tests in your class, but you can!], but I can't enter Horse 3 in both Intro and Training) - This is a schooling show, so braiding your horse's mane, dressing extremely formally, wearing full length tall boots and having plain white saddle pads, etc. is not necessary! - Horses must be between the ages of 4 and 18. Older or younger horses will NOT be accepted. - No non-showing horses on the grounds, unless given a special exception from me prior to the show starting. - There is no entry fee! The only prizes are ribbons <3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helpful Definitions Introductory Level Dressage: This is the most basic fundamental of dressage. All of our intro level tests only include medium walk, free walk, working trot, and a small bit of working canter on a diagonal during Test C. All trot is ridden rising, and there are diagonals and 20-meter circles included. Training Level Dressage: This is for horses a bit more advanced than intro level. This class includes some working trot and working canter, and horses are expected to make good transitions. There are still plenty of circles and diagonals in this test! Some trot is ridden rising, but mostly a sitting trot is required. First Level: First Level is the most advanced class for this show. In addition to everything you're expected to know for intro and training, this class includes leg yields and lengthening the trot and canter. It also introduces loops (ten-meter half circles), 15-meter circles, and 20-meter stretching circles. --- What is the judge looking for in my horse? 1. Rhythm - Is the tempo of which my horse is moving correct? Are footfalls going in a "rhythm"? Are the beats of each gait correct? 2. Suppleness- Do my horse's muscles have tone? Are his joints loose? 3. Contact- Is my connection with my horse's mouth soft? Is my horse stretching and arching his neck? Is my horse seeking contact? 4. Impulsion- Is my horse's energy controlled, but plentiful? Is his back soft and swinging? Is his energy generated mainly through his hindquarters? 5. Straightness- Is my horse's forehand in line with his hindquarters, unless you're turning/bending? When your horse is bending, is he /really/ bending his head and hindquarters without overbending? 6. Collection- Are my horse's hind leg joints bent and supple? Are they engaged well? Are his gaits managed in a way that's "collected"? What is the judge looking for in me? 1. Connection- Am I connected to my horse? Is he "on the bit"? Am I able to control him without yanking, kicking, etc? 2. Posture- Am I sitting correctly in the saddle? Am I moving with my horse? --- The lower the level of dressage you're showing at, the lower the judge's expectations will be. For example, it's not required in intro level to be able to have perfect trot-canter transitions :)
