The Equitech Software FUN FREESTYLE CHALLENGE 2007 in conjunction with British Riding Clubs and British Dressage

Transcription

1 The Equitech Software FUN FREESTYLE CHALLENGE 2007 in conjunction with British Riding Clubs and British Dressage Please will all those intending to enter the Fun Freestyle Challenge 2007 read this document carefully. Failure to do so may result in disappointment on the day! Final approved v 1.5 1

2 Overview The Fun Freestyle Challenge 2007 is organised by Equitech Software, and is a result of collaboration with British Dressage (BD), and British Riding Clubs (BRC). This is a pilot scheme designed to introduce affiliated BRC member-riders to Freestyle Dressage to Music (FDTM), and encourage them to compete in affiliated BD classes. FDTM is becoming more popular amongst our grass-roots riders, and the Dressage Divas software makes it more accessible to them than ever before. The Fun Freestyle Challenge is open to all riders inspired to have a go at FDTM in a relaxed and motivational forum. To facilitate the roll-out of this pilot scheme across the UK, entry into the Challenge will automatically grant day membership of BD as a Music Member. As a further concession, entrants will not be required to register their choice of music ahead of the competition. However, all entrants must bring a signed Licensee s Member Sub-Licence Agreement and completed Music Licence Record form (both available from BD or Equitech Software) with them on the day of competition. These waivers apply only to the first round of this Challenge. Subsequently, at Regional/National final rounds, all entrants will be required to become a BRC BD Music Member (cost 15.00), sign and return the Licensee s Member Sub-Licence Agreement to BD, and submit the Music Licence Record form to BD ahead of the competition. These are legal requirements of the Licence that BD has with PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd) that enable us to ride to recorded music in public. We are most grateful to British Dressage for their kind consideration of this aspect for the first round of the Fun Freestyle Challenge. Exclusively for the Fun Freestyle Challenge 2007, the Performance Licence of due to BD on the day of your competition will be sponsored by Equitech Software. Objectives of the Challenge 1. To encourage more grass-roots riders to try FDTM. 2. To dispel the myth that FDTM is too complicated for me and that I m not good enough to have a go at that. 3. To utilise the Dressage Divas performance software for the purpose it was intended. 4. To encourage riders into a 20x60m arena, and therefore motivate them to upgrade from Preliminary to Novice BD tests. 5. To increase Riding Club memberships by making dressage more fun. 6. To make FDTM more accessible to riders and horses of all capabilities. 7. To build a talent bank of riders who enjoy, and are motivated by FDTM, and will subsequently go on to affiliate. 8. To increase public awareness of FDTM such that local competitions are supported by greater numbers of spectators. 9. To allow our judges to enjoy the competition, and bring the fun back into flat-work! Final approved v 1.5 2

3 Competition format The Fun Freestyle Challenge is open exclusively to BRC members. 1. Riding Clubs within each Area may initially enter one team of 3 riders. Second teams may then be entered if spaces are available before the final entry closing date. 2. The Challenge will be run at BD Novice Freestyle level. 3. All routines will be ridden in a 20x40m arena. 4. The single judge will be situated at the C marker. 5. All 3 riders scores will count, and be added together as the Team cumulative total. 6. Individual scores will also count. 7. Teams and individuals will be placed 1st to 6 th, with rosettes. 8. Teams and individuals placed First and Second in each Area will go on to compete in National finals, depending on the response to this Challenge nationwide. Your Area competition must be held before December 31 st 2007 to qualify. 9. The listed Judge must be open-minded, motivational and encouraging, and have a sense of humour. 10.Remember that this is supposed to be FUN, so all riders must smile! Competition rules 1. Standard British Dressage rules will apply regarding Health and Safety, equipment and tack allowed, turnout of horse and rider etc. (British Dressage or visit 2. All competitors must conform to the BRC Protective Headgear rule G23.2 (see Further Information section for full details). 3. Riders may ride to any music of their choice; it is not required that music should be instrumental only. However, remember that you will be judged on the compatibility of your music choice to your horse s type and temperament. 4. To encourage the less-experienced to participate, the following Horse and Rider combinations may not enter this Challenge. Those who have been placed 1st-6th in: The Riding Clubs DTM finals in the last 5 years, A Quadrille team selected to ride at Olympia in the last 5 years, The BD Regional Music Championship in the last 5 years. 5. Entrants with affiliated BD points must be Group 8, 7 or 6 riders i.e. must not have won any Medium level points. 6. Horses must have no more than 74 BD points, i.e. they must be graded no higher than Preliminary or Novice level. 7. BD 2002 test series Score Sheets must be used for judging (available directly from BD). 8. All entrants must complete and bring with them to the competition (a) a Licensee s Member Sub-Licence Agreement, and (b) a completed Music Licence Record form. Both can be obtained directly from BD or Equitech Software. 9. Please forward copies of entries, competition scores and results to Nicky Morgan at Equitech Software (for administrative purposes only). Final approved v 1.5 3

4 Your Routine Routines should be a minimum of 4 and maximum of 5 minutes long. Compulsory moves Technical Execution The following list of moves must be included in all routines, and can achieve a maximum score of 10 marks each: 1. Medium walk (minimum 20 metres) 2. Free walk on a long rein (minimum 20 metres) 3. Working trot left, including a 15m circle 4. Working trot right, including a 15m circle 5. Some medium strides at trot 6. Working canter left, including a 20m circle 7. Working canter right, including a 20m circle 8. Halt and salute at beginning and end of test Fluency of transitions will also be marked in this section. Optional moves Artistic Interpretation Riders may include moves from the following list to enhance their routine and aim for a higher score: 1. Give and re-take of the reins 2. Rein back 3. Change of leg through trot 4. Stretching in trot 5. Counter canter Note: Any move occurring in a current BD Novice test may be included in your routine, but moves from higher levels will be penalised. Please refer to the BD Freestyle Notes at the end of this brief, or go to for greater detail. Final approved v 1.5 4

5 Further Information 1. The Winter 2007 issue of RIDER magazine has a really useful article on how to get started with FDTM, (pages 26-28).written by Sara Green. Sara is very involved in FDTM at a National level, and is a Director of British Dressage. 2. The British Dressage website will be the most comprehensive reference point for most of your queries. Equitech Software will be available to point you in the right direction if you get stuck. 3. BRC rules regarding competitors riding hats: G23.2 Protective Headgear At or in the vicinity of an Official British Riding Club competition, everyone mounted - whether competing or not - must wear a hard hat to at least the minimum standard, with a harness properly adjusted and fastened. Failure to do so will incur elimination. Hats marked EN1384, PAS015 or prefixed with ASTM or SEI are the minimum standard allowed. Hard hats to specification PAS015 or ASTM F1163 are considered to offer greater protection than EN1384. BSEN14572: 2005 standard will be introduced shortly. This will run along side EN1384 and not supersede it. Recommended hard hats should carry the quality assurance stamp of Kitemark or SEI. American standard SNELL E2001 and Australian/New Zealand standard SNZ are also acceptable. Where a hat is of skullcap style, this must be worn with a silk, which may be coloured for cross-country competitions. For members of a Quadrille team, this rule is not compulsory for the duration of the actual performance only. It is compulsory during rehearsals (other than dress rehearsals) and at all other times. Contact Nicky Morgan Equitech Software Ltd Ezenridge Farm Bere Alston Yelverton DEVON PL20 7ET T: E: nicky@equitechsoftware.com Final approved v 1.5 5

6 BRITISH DRESSAGE FREESTYLE NOTES The following aims to make it clear to judges and riders what is allowed GENERAL OBJECTIVES: To avoid eliminating competitors and wherever possible to give them the benefit of the doubt. To give competitors as much opportunity as possible to be creative. Therefore as far as possible more difficult forms of a movement are not penalised, see Special Notes below. GENERAL DIRECTIVES: Time limit on entry Enter within 20 seconds after music starts, if not a warning from the judge. Compulsory halt The halt is compulsory. If the horse is not immobile then this is deducted in the Harmony mark, but an attempt to halt must be made otherwise the horse is allowed to complete the test but must then be eliminated. Removal of hat Only in halt can the hat can be removed deliberately, otherwise 2 mark penalty. Prohibited movements In all BD tests the deliberate inclusion of too advanced a movement is penalised by a penalty of 2 marks from the final total. Music Stops In the case of a rider s music failing during a Freestyle Test and in cases where there is no backup system, the rider can, with the permission of the President of the Ground Jury, leave the arena. There should be minimum interference with the starting times of the other riders. The affected rider should return to complete or restart his / her test during a scheduled break in the competition or at the end of the competition. The President of the Ground Jury, after conferring with the rider, will determine when the rider should return to the arena. It is up to the rider whether to restart the test from the beginning or to commence from the point where the music failed. In any case the already given marks will not be changed. SPECIAL NOTES Vocals Some vocals well placed can enhance freestyle, but dominant vocals are not appreciated and can be marked down in the Music mark*. Excessive use Excessive use of one movement can be marked down in the Choreography. Difficult versions Permitted movements may be performed in a more difficult way than in set tests for that level. In a novice test for example the counter canter may be around the short side, or circles can be smaller. However the competitor is taking a risk and will be marked down in the Degree of Difficulty mark if he makes a mistake or does not succeed in keeping a good way of going in these more difficult interpretations. If this happens the calculated risk has not succeeded. Also he will also be marked down in the movement itself. Competitors should be aware that there is no degree of difficulty mark at novice and elementary level so there are no extra marks to be earned by doing these more difficult interpretations. NOVICE FREESTYLE Permitted movements Movements that are not compulsory but may be used to enhance choreography mark give and retake of the reins, rein back, change of leg through trot, counter canter, stretching in trot Penalised movements Any movement attempted that is not included in the Novice tests will receive 2 penalty points. This includes: lateral work, simple changes, walk pirouettes, * In the case of the Fun Freestyle Challenge 2007, use of music with lyrics is acceptable. Final approved v 1.5 6