Horse Confidence Dressage Championship August 2017 The confidence building step between now and competing unaffiliated This dressage championship has been designed to build confidence in the everyday rider and horse partnership. I see this Championship as confidence building and bridging the gap for an everyday rider to competing at unaffiliated competition under BD Rules. It s that important step in building confidence and belief in yourself, and your partnership through valuable feedback of your test. The goal is to provide constructive positive feedback so that the rider can go away and improve through practise on the points mentioned then redo the test and improve on their scores. Thereby building on confidence and ability and creating a bigger comfort zone. The aim is for it to be non-restrictive so that everyone can have a go. There is bonus and deduction of points scheme. i.e. bonus if the rider has correct attire and deduction for use of a running martingale. The marking system differs from the traditional dressage test as you will receive marks not according to movement but according to pace, style and harmony details as below. Walk Work Extended walk Trot work Trot shapes Canter work Canter shapes Harmony between horse and rider
Bonus points +2 bonus marks for dressage attire. As per British Dressage rules; Jacket, stock or tie, light breeches, long boots or boots and gaiters. +2 Beautiful harmony and balance between horse and rider. Deduction of points -2 for use of any a runing martingale -2 Overuse/incorrect use of the whip (only schooling whips to be used) -2 Incorrect/overuse of spurs -2 Use of voice (rider) -2 repeated instruction from the caller -2 for going wrong in your test Tests The tests are designed by Horse Confidence and built on a progressive system as follows: Walk Test - for those who are only comfortable in walk or horses in rehabilitation Walk Test A Walk Test B Walk Test C Walk and Trot tests are progressive starting with A and increasing in difficulty Walk and Trot Test A Walk and Trot Test B Walk and Trot Test C Walk and Trot Test D Walk Trot and Canter tests. For those comfortable in canter again starting with and increasing in difficulty Walk Trot and Canter A Walk Trot and Canter B More tests may be added at later date. Entries Entries are made through the Horse Confidence website through the store>> www.horseconfidence4u.co.uk/store Horse Confidence Championship>> relevant section i.e. Walk Test, Walk and Trot Test, Walk Trot and Canter Tests
Entry Fee is 5 per test to cover administration costs. We would like to stay GREEN and operate a paperless system - All entries must be made via email and must be received by the close of entry date. Any entries received after this close of entry date will be forfeited. Once you have paid on the website you will receive an automated return email (make sure you have entered your correct email address in the Horse Confidence Shop). This email will contain a downloadable entry form for you to complete and return. You may enter as many tests as you wish but you can only enter 1 video per test i.e. you can enter the Walk Test A and Walk Test B but only once for each test. You cannot enter all 3 levels of test. This is a progressive system to build confidence therefore you should only enter one level before moving up to the next. Once you have moved up a level you cannot therefore go back down. i.e. if you enter walk tests you can progress to walk and trot then walk trot and canter. If you start at walk and trot tests you cannot go back down to walk tests. Rosettes In the spirit of competing and for you all to feel proud of your achievements. Rosettes will be offered from 1 st to 6 th place. These will be posted to you after judging has taken place. Videoing Rules You will be required to video your test for judging. You may use any type of device that you wish so long as the video is of clear quality. No shaking, bouncing or moving about please. The video should be no more than 2 metres away from marker C (see diagram) All videos should be uploaded to You Tube and a link should be added to your entry form. Strictly no uploading to Facebook or sending through email you will forfeit your entry).
Example 40m x 20m Dressage Arena Layout. Uploading Videos You will be required to open a free You Tube account. Once you have created this click on upload in the top right had corner. Follow the prompts to locate your file on your computer/tablet/phone and upload to you tube. Once your upload has been created you will have to publish and you will be given a URL address of your video. This is the link that you will need to give to Horse Confidence as your entry.
Your Score You will receive a score sheet via email once all tests have been marked and scored. This score sheet will include your percentage score and the points you have obtained towards qualifying for the championship in August 2017. Championship points system You will be awarded a percentage score for your test which will convert into points as below 71% higher 10 pts 66-70 8 pts 61-65 6 pts 56-60 4 pts 50-55 2 pts You will need to score a minimum of 30 points by the 31 st of July 2017 to be eligible to compete in the online Horse Confidence Championship in August 2017
Championship details A league table sheet will be available on the Horse Confidence Website and the Horse Confidence Support Group. This will record a running total of names and points achieved each month for each level. The Horse Confidence Championship will take place in August 2017. This will be judged by two people and an average of both scores will be awarded. The first judge will be Faye Low on behalf of Horse Confidence. The second judge to be confirmed but will be a BD Affiliated judge or a high level dressage rider. This mark will be indicative of what you would expect to receive at an Unaffiliated/Affiliated Dressage Test. There will be a winner and a reserve at each level. Walk Test Walk and Trot Test Walk, Trot and Canter The Winner of each level will be awarded a special rosette and a sash The Runner up will receive a special rosette. There will also be rosettes for 3rd-10 th place. The competition will then recommence for 2018 in October 2017 running through to August 2018. Horse Confidence Dressage Championship Rules All tests must be performed in 20 x 40 arena. You can do your test in a field on grass but please ensure that the size is correct and you use some type of markers where the appropriate letters should be. (Cheap children s cones usually do the trick). Videoing must take place no more than 2 meters behind the letter C. This is to mimic the view of a judge that would normally be sitting at C. All videos to be clear with volume on. You will forfeit your entry if we cannot comprehend what is going on. All videos must be uploaded to You Tube and link to be sent on your entry email. You may wear standard top and breeches with riding boots however you can claim +2 bonus points if you wear correct dressage attire.
Body protector and air jackets can be worn. Riding hats must be worn. No use of spurs with your test, otherwise you forfeit a deduction in your marks. Only schooling whips to be used, no short whips. You will be penalised with a loss of marks for incorrect or overuse of whip. Light taps only please to be used as encouragement and not punishment. Anyone with BD points is not eligible for this championship. Championship points are accrued according to your percentage as detailed above. A league table will be available every month. The Championship runs from October 2016 until August 2017. Rosettes 1-6 th place for each class and these will be posted to you. Entry is made through the Horse Confidence website under the relevant month and class. You will automatically receive guide notes, a copy of the test and an entry form. Please complete the entry form on your computer and email this back to us on the email address provided. Score sheets will be sent to you via email as a PDF. By entering this competition, you automatically comply with all of the above rules.
Competition Dates 2016/2017 24 th October 2016 28 th November 2016 19 th December 2016 23 rd January 2017 20 February 2017 27 th March 2017 24 th April 2017 22 nd May 2017 26 th June 2017 24 th July 2017 Horse Confidence Championship Final 21 st August 2017
General Rules 1. Classes are open to all who are not currently compete at British Dressage and who do not possess any British Dressage points. However, these classes are specifically designed to build confidence in the rider and horse partnership and therefore they are most suitable to people who lack confidence. 2. Riders must be over the age of 18, these classes are not suitable for children. 3. Only one video entry per test per horse/rider combination. 4. On entering you accept to abide by all the rules and regulations as stated above by Horse Confidence. 5. Horse and Rider combinations may enter more than one test but only at one level. The levels being Walk, Walk and Trot, Walk Trot and Canter. 6. Entry fee is not refundable once your entry has been accepted. 7. A caller can be used but must only read from the test sheet and only allowed to say each movement once no repetitions. A forfeit of -2 marks for repetition of movements. 8. A deduction of -2 points if the rider goes wrong in the test. 9. The video must contain sound. 10. All test sheets have been designed by Horse Confidence and remain property of Horse Confidence. 11. The judge s decision is final in all situations. 12. Horses must be fit and sound to compete, any lameness, or cruelty will not be tolerated. Tack 13. Horses may compete in bitless bridles, snaffle bridles, Micklem bridles. Cavesson nosebands with or without flash (do not do up to tightly). 14. Neck straps may be used. 15. A standing martingale may be used however you forfeit -2 points. 16. BD permitted bits only which are mainly snaffle bits. NO gags are permitted, NO bit guards
Rider 17. Correct riding helmets and footwear must be worn. 18. Gloves must be worn. 19. Body protectors are allowed. 20. You can ride in jacket, stock and light breeches and receive a complimentary +2 marks. Or you may choose to ride in comfortable riding clothing with no penalties.