Third Level Test 1 - with comments from Judge Natalie Lamping

Here is a practice test of third level test 1 that I rode on April 27, 2013.

 I then submitted the test for an online evaluation by Judge Natalie Lamping at horseshow.com. I was pleasantly surprised to get a 63.2% (which may be a bit generous in the spirit of a schooling show) from Judge Lamping. This test was before my "breakthrough" of collecting the canter the next weekend. She correctly notes that the canter still needs a good bit of work. However, our turn on haunches have improved dramatically from that year, which is great since they are a coefficient score! My right flying change received a 7, and if I can line up the left one to be clean, it is an even better change. See my scores and comments from Natalie Lamping below:

Apr 27th, 2013

April Dressage Festival

2011 USEF Level 3 Dressage - Test 1

Judged by Natalie Lamping

Featuring Lindsey S

Score: 241/380 (63.29%)
2nd place

Overall RowsTest Rows

#	Tests	Score	Coef	Err	Comments
1	A Enter collected trot. X Halt, Salute. Proceed collected trot. Directive Ideas: Straightness on centerline; quality of trot; straight, immobile, attentive halt; clarity and balance of transitions.	7.00	1.00	0	Fairly straight. Narrow behind, but square. Not straight XC.
2	C Track left. S-V Shoulder-in left. Directive Ideas: Consistent tempo; engagement and collection of trot; angle, bend and balance in shoulder-in.	7.50	2.00	0	More engagement and contain haunches more.
3	V-L Half circle 10m. L-S Half pass left. Directive Ideas: Shape and size of half circle; consistent tempo; engagement and collection of trot; alignment, bend, fluency and lateral reach in half pass.	6.00	1.00	0	Half circle too flat. Should be 5m past V on 1/4 line. Haunches trailed too much. Almost straight diagonal.
4	R-P Shoulder-in right. Directive Ideas: Consistent tempo; engagement and collection of trot; angle, bend and balance in shoulder-in.	6.00	2.00	0	Too unsteady in contact and tilting with nose to the left. Lower outside hand a little.
5	P-L Half circle 10m. L-R Half pass right. Directive Ideas: Shape and size of half circle; consistent tempo; engagement and collection of trot; alignment, bend, fluency and lateral reach in half pass.	6.00	1.00	0	Half circle too flat and past L. half pass started better, but lost bend, haunches, and alignment.
6	HXF Medium trot. F-A Collected trot. Directive Ideas: Consistent tempo; moderate lengthening of frame with elasticity, suspension, uphill balance and straightness in medium trot; well defined transitions.	6.50	1.00	0	Started well, but lost balance, started running and drifting left.
7	A Halt, rein back four steps. Proceed medium walk. A-K Medium walk. Directive Ideas: Square, immobile, attentive halt; willingness, straightness, and number of diagonal steps in rein back; clarity of transitions; regularity of walk.	7.00	1.00	0	Good halt. Keep supple in contact for easier rein back. Only 3 1/2 steps back. Don't put legs so far back.
8	K-R Extended walk. R-M Medium walk. Directive Ideas: Regularity, lengthening of frame and clear overstep.	6.50	2.00	0	Hasty beginning. More ground cover needed.
9	M Turn left. Between Shorten stride, half turn on haunches left. G & H Proceed medium walk. Directive Ideas: Regularity and bend in turn at M; quality and regularity of shortened walk strides; activity of hind legs, bend, fluency and size of half turn on haunches.	7.00	2.00	0	Correct, but needs to be more up and better connected and more active for higher score.
10	Between Shorten stride, half turn on haunches right. G & M Proceed medium walk. H (H) Track right. H-C Medium walk. Directive Ideas: Quality and regularity of shortened walk strides; activity of hind legs, bend, fluency and size of half turn on haunches; regularity and bend in turn at H.	7.00	2.00	0	Same. Smaller but slow behind and unsteady in contact.
11	Medium walk. RMG(H)G(M)GHC. Directive Ideas: Quality and regularity of medium walk.	7.50	1.00	0	More energy.
12	Before C Shorten the stride in walk. C Collected canter right lead. Directive Ideas: Quality and regularity of shortened walk strides; clarity, calmness, balance and straightness of transition; quality of walk and canter.	6.00	1.00	0	Strung out and flat.
13	M-F Medium canter. F Collected canter. Directive Ideas: Consistent tempo; moderate lengthening of frame with elasticity, suspension, uphill balance and straightness in medium canter; well defined transitions in uphill balance.	6.00	1.00	0	Flat and on forehand with no clear transition at F.
14	V Circle right 10m. Directive Ideas: Consistent tempo; engagement and collection of canter; shape and size of circle; bend.	5.50	1.00	0	Unclear canter rhythm, struggling.
15	V-R Change rein, flying change between centerline and R. Directive Ideas: Engagement and collection of canter; correctness, straightness, balance and fluency of flying change.	4.00	2.00	0	Late behind and lacks engagement and collection before and after.
16	H-K Extended canter. K-P Collected canter. Directive Ideas: Consistent tempo; lengthening of frame with elasticity, suspension, uphill balance, straightness, and utmost ground cover in extended canter.	6.00	1.00	0	Attempted, but flat and on forehand.
17	(Transitions at H and K) Directive Ideas: Well defined transitions in uphill balance.	5.50	1.00	0	Horse needs engagement and connection to be in a more correct balance.
18	P Circle left 10m. Directive Ideas: Consistent tempo; engagement and collection of canter; shape and size of circle; bend.	6.00	1.00	0	On forehand. Needs jump and connection.
19	P-S Change rein, flying change between centerline and S. Directive Ideas: Engagement and collection of canter; correctness; straightness, balance and fluency of flying change.	7.00	2.00	0	Clean, but flat due to canter before.
20	C Collected trot. Directive Ideas: Clarity and uphill balance of transition; engagement and collection of trot.	6.50	1.00	0	Prepare to be accurate and balance horse for cadence.
21	MXK Extended trot. K-A Collected trot. Directive Ideas: Consistent tempo; lengthening of frame with elasticity, suspension, uphill balance, straightness and utmost ground cover in extended trot.	6.00	1.00	0	Losing balance and regularity.
22	(Transitions at M and K) Directive Ideas: Well defined transitions in uphill balance.	5.50	1.00	0	Don't throw horse away onto forehand. Define, with an uphill balance and self carriage.
23	A Down centerline. X Halt, Salute. Directive Ideas: Bend and balance in turn; quality of trot; straightness on centerline; prompt, balanced transition; straight, immobile, attentive halt.	8.00	1.00	0	Good halt, but trot needs engagement. Can't see contact because not shown from C.

	Score	Coef	Err	Comments
GAITS (freedom and regularity)	7.00	1.00	0	Freer.
IMPULSION (desire to move forward, elasticity of the steps, suppleness of the back, engagement of the hindquarters)	6.00	2.00	0	Lacks collection and good mediums due to lack of engagement, especially in the canter.
SUBMISSION (attention and confidence, lightness and ease of movements, acceptance of the bridle, lightness of the forehand)	6.00	2.00	0	Horse seems willing to try, but needs to be in a more correct balance.
RIDER'S position and seat	6.50	1.00	0	Sit more centered, especially in lateral work.
RIDER'S correct and effective use of the aids	6.00	1.00	0	Need to figure out the ratio between legs, seat, and hands for an uphill balance with del carriage.
HARMONY between rider and horse	6.00	1.00	0	Bend, alignment, and accuracy of figures need. Help horse be better by developing correct engagement and balance,

TOTAL 241

Comments

Attractive horse. You need to develop the canter to maintain a clear three beat rhythm with a steadier, elastic contact. Then you need to be able to lengthen and shorten the strides without losing the rhythm or connection. Make horse stronger behind. The same applies to the trot work. You need longitudinal and lateral suppleness. best of luck.