It had been suggestedthat, because of the younger age of riders within our organisation, than that of the EFA, we prepare some guidelines for dressage judges of PC events. Consequently Bert Gibson was approached to prepare them for us, and I was appointed to liaise with her.

Herewithare oursuggested guidelines, which have been prepared to give experienced judges some guidelines on the difference of standard that one would expect between PC and EFA grades. They are based on the PCA Vic guidelines and the NZ CIs have approved them at their meeting recently.

They presume that the judges are experienced– or at least know how to judge.

We have added an Introduction with an explanation of why standards should be different We recommend that itis attached to every judges score board, with instructions that they read the introduction and particularly the section relevant to the grade of horse and rider they are judging on that day.

There is no need to read the lot on any given judging day when time is limited, but it is suggested that they do read it all through at some time.

They should also be given to all judges to keep for their own personal files.

Ann Graves

INTRODUCTION

These notes have been issued to guide judges as to our expectations at the different PC standards/levels.

PC dressage is conducted under EFA rules, but due to the younger ages of PC members, we cannot expect the same standard of performance especially in the lower grades. For Grade 1 ODEs and A group (17 yr old and over) riders we would expect the EFA level of performance for the relevant standard test, so one would expect the working paces of a preliminary horse to be ‘on the bit’, but we certainly would not expect it of the Grade 4 and 5 combinations.

At the lowergrades listed below, one does not penalise the horse/rider for the movements performed in the following ways, so they would probably gain a 5 - 7, but if they are better than stated, then they should be rewarded with higher marks depending on how much better they are. On the whole, at grades 4 and 5, the PC rider would probably gain 2 more marks for a corresponding performance than thatby an EFA adult rider and 1 more mark at grade 3, and possibly grade 2. So, what one would state is sufficient for Grade 1 (EFA level) it would be classed as satisfactory (6) for grades 4/3and probably fairly good (7) for grades5/4.

5Grade 5

5.aGrade 5 is for the youngest age group and least experienced riders. All trot work should be rising.

The TWO BASIC requirements are to keep the pony going at the required speed and on the correct line.

Remarks should be simple and generous with their praise and every sheet should somewhere carry remarks that comment on the rider's ability or otherwise to fulfil the two basic requirements above.

5.bGrade 5 riders have very few riding skills, so all they can do, or try to do, is make the pony go and keep it as nearly as possible on the required track. It is more important that the pony goes WHERE the rider wishes rather than HOW. The pony should be quiet and obedient, with a contactsome of the time, but the rider would not be expected to maintain this.

The judge should not be too concerned with details of position or correctness of the aids.

Incorrect diagonal or leading leg should not be penalised, but correct ones rewarded.

5.cFree walk at this stage may be on a loose rein. Though the test may say contact should be maintained, for this grade we do not enforce it. The horse should however lower and stretch out the neck and walk with long, relaxed, marching strides.

4Grade 4

4.aGrade 4 is for those with some experience. All trot work may be rising or sitting unless stated otherwise.

4.bThe judge expects the rider to be more balanced in their position, with better control of their hands and better application of the aidsthan in grade 5. The horse should go willingly forward on a light contact with a steady head carriage. Where the head is carried at this stage is not too important as long as it is steady most of the time, however if it is much too high or over-bending badly it should be penalised. The horse that goes quietly but lacks impulsion should mark better than one that is pulling, and over- bent.

4.c At this grade, it is not always possible to achieve correct bend and flexion.

The rider who tries to get their horse near the corner and on the track should be marked more leniently than the rider who lets the horse take the line it chooses. The fact that the rider has to use the outside rein causing the horse to look to the outside is a minor detail at this grade. Riders should be rewarded for trying to do transitions on the markers.

4.dLengthen/Increase the trot. Riders should show a difference in energy and activity. Judges should show some leniency at grade 4 as at these levels horses do not have to be on the bit, so will not be able to maintain rhythm and lengthening and will tend to run and quicken the stride. When asked to increase the trot the rider should be able to ride a reasonably straight diagonal, with the horse going forward more energetically, so that there is a difference from the working trot. If the horse does not lengthen the stride this should not be penalised at this grade.

4.eFree walk at this stage MAY be on a loose rein. Though the test may say contact should be maintained, for this grade we do not enforce it. The horse should however lower and stretch out the neck and walk with long, relaxed, marching strides.

PCAT Dressage Judging Criteria1June 2007

3 Grade 3 and C group (Riders under 15)

3.aGrade 3 is for more experienced juniors and less experienced senior’shorses. All trot work should be sitting or rising as stated on the test sheet.

3.bThe rider should be starting to show an ability to influence the horse's way of going.

The horse would be expected to accept the bit with a steady contact throughout the test. There must be an obvious effort to ride the horse forward to contact on the bit with some resulting rounding of the horse's frame, but at this stage it does not have to be consistently maintained.

Any restriction of the horse's natural stride by the use of too short a rein which would result in short restricted paces, pulling, stiffness and consistent over-bending throughout a movement should be marked as insufficient with no more than 5, probably less, with corresponding loss in collective marks. However, momentary lapses behind the vertical should not outweigh correct work shown in other aspects.

3.cAt this grade riders should be able to ride accurate figures and transitions on the markers. The horse is not expected to be supple enough to go far into the corners as it may take uneven steps and bend its neck excessively and the smooth bend through the whole body is lost.

3.dEvery sheet should report on the success, or otherwise, of the rider's efforts to round the horse up while keeping him going. This is basic to any further progress in the horse's education.

2Grade 2and B group (Riders under 17)

2.aThe rider should have a reasonably balanced position, be moderately steady in sitting trot, and demonstrate that they understand correct application of the aids. They should be able to ride forward to contact on the bit and be able to maintain a steady frame most of the time. There should be no drawing up of the legs whengiving aids. More emphasis should be given to correct execution of transitions as well as accuracythan in grade 3. The horse should now show correct bend so corners and circles can be ridden without loss of rhythm and tempo. The rider should be improving in their ability to make the horse more active in his movements.

2.bConsistent over-bending throughout a movement should be penalised with a mark below 5, as insufficient, with corresponding loss in collective marks. However, momentary lapses behind the vertical should not outweigh correct work shown in other aspects. Any restriction of the horse's natural stride by the use of too short a rein is insufficient.

2.cWhen doing “moderately lengthened strides" the rider should try to show a clear transition into and out of the movement, strides should lengthen and show a difference without loss of rhythm. The horse should be straight, but some loss of balance should not be heavily penalised.

2.dStretch on a Long Rein. In order to execute the criteria "stretch on a long rein" the rider must lengthen the reins and the horse stretches gradually forward and down, but always maintains a steady contact with the rider's hands. During the taking up of the reins, the horse must accept the shortening of the reins without any kind of resistance in his poll. If the contact is correct the horse is supple, well balanced, relaxed and obedient.

1Grade 1and A group (Riders under 25)

For this Grade we would expect the EFA level of performance for the relevant standard test.

1.aThe judge should look for a well balanced and effective position that enables the rider to apply correct aids and influence the horse to achieve correct unrestricted paces. The horse should show free forward movement while going up to a steady contact on the bit. The roundness in the frame should be maintained throughout the test. Sitting trot should be established enough to obtain active engagement of the hindquarters. Transitions should be smooth and accurate with circles and corners executed correctly. There should be a general impression of harmony and balance of horse and rider.

1.bConsistent over-bending throughout a movement should be penalised with a mark below 5, as insufficient, with corresponding loss in collective marks. However, momentary lapses behind the vertical should not outweigh correct work shown in other aspects. Any restriction of the horse's natural stride by the use of too short a rein is insufficient.

PCAT Dressage Judging Criteria2June 2007