Quick tips and facts about the new Freestyle requirements!
1. There is a maximum time limit but NO minimum time. Maximum time limit for all USDF freestyles is 5 minutes. Your time begins when your horse moves off after the entry salute and ends at the final salute.
2. One point will be deducted from the total artistic score for exceeding the time limit.
3. Movements done above your level will be penalized by a four point deduction from the technical score for each “clearly forbidden” movement done.
4. The rider must enter the arena within 45 seconds of the signal from the judge and within 20 seconds of the start of the music or will be eliminated.
5. Halt and salute are now judged at the beginning and end of a freestyle. The halt with a salute must be facing “c”.
We begin a new summer series of Dream Vacations as Chris invites her guests to share their dreams and later for them to discover where they then will be sent on their vacations. Catherine Haddad-Staller is this week’s guest. You can listen in right here.
Dressage Radio Episode 109 – Show Notes and Links:
Dressage trainers JJ Tate & Silva Martin discuss the rising standards of dressage in eventing and how and why riders are challenged in this phase. Horse & Hound’s Pippa Roome brings us up to date with European events. Join Chris and her guests right here.
Eventing Radio Episode 147 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:
Lausanne (SUI), 23 June 2011 – The FEI Dressage Committee discussed several issues at its meeting in Paris (FRA) earlier this month and the following five key developments were decided upon.
Blood rule The committee proposed a new blood rule explicitly stating that the test would be stopped if blood appears anywhere on the horse.
At top level events (Olympic Games, Championships and Finals for seniors), where FEI vets will be present at the warm-up arena, they would examine the horse and the test would resume if bleeding from minor injuries had stopped.
If the bleeding had not stopped, the horse would be eliminated. Where vets are not present to examine the horse, bleeding would result in immediate elimination.
The FEI’s Vet Committee and Legal Department are considering the proposal for this rule, which would sit in Article 430.7.1. or Article 440 of the Rules for Dressage Events, which can be viewed here.
As always, rule revisions will be presented for National Federation approval at the FEI General Assembly in November for implementation on 1 January 2012.
Protective headgear The FEI Medical Committee has recommended making protective headgear mandatory across all disciplines when riding at show grounds outside competition arenas.
Lausanne (SUI), 22 June 2011 – The host nation of Kazakhstan clinched gold in both the FEI Intermediate 1 and FEI Freestyle Intermediate 1 classes at the FEI Central Asian Dressage Championships 2011 staged in Almaty over the weekend. In a pitched battle between two seasoned riders during which good fortune swung in both directions, Sergey Buikevich claimed the Intermediate 1 title with Ispovednik while Natalyja Yurkevich squeezed ahead of Buikevich to take the FEI Freestyle Test with Don Petro.
It was a particularly satisfying result for the versatile and multiple medal-winning Buikevich, who is Vice President and Secretary General of the Equestrian Federation of Kazakhstan, Head Coach of the National Equestrian Team, an FEI Bureau Member and Chairman of FEI Group III as well as an International Jumping Judge.
The event took place in Almaty which is the former capital, and remains the largest city, in Kazakhstan. Located on the Silk Road – the legendary network of trade routes that stretch across Asia linking East to West – the city continues to be a major centre of commerce and a meeting place for visitors from all around the world. It has successfully staged a number of important equestrian events in recent years.
PERFECT START In 2009 these Championships were pitched at CDI 3-Star Big-Tour level, but this time around the standard was lowered and the competitions included a preliminary FEI Prix St Georges in which Buikevich got off to the perfect start last Friday.
Tami Hoag, pictured with her Grand Prix horse Bacchus de Light, recently appeared on the Equesse Radio Show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)
Wellington, FL (June 22, 2011) – Dressage rider and New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag recently shared her insights on achieving personal and professional success on the Equesse Radio Show with Cynthia Royal and Leah Juarez. Equesse Radio, considered Horsepower for the Soul, captures the listener’s yearning to connect with horses through the stories of those who have. With interviews from a herd of horse-inspired celebrity authors, athletes, singers, entrepreneurs and artists, Equesse Radio gives a weekly gift of insight and inspiration.
“As a Number 1 New York Times Best Selling author with over 35 million books in print and as a competition-level athlete, Tami Hoag is just the type of horse-inspired celebrity the Equesse Radio audience craves,” said Cynthia Royal. “With achievements in both arenas of literature and the Olympic horse sport of dressage, Tami has insight on achieving personal and professional success that exemplifies the ‘Horsepower for the Soul’ theme on which Equesse Radio is built.”
Royal added, “In the show, Tami shares just how horses have influenced the character we publically know as ‘Tami Hoag’, as well as their impact on the characters she’s crafted in her books. But it’s her insight on the meditative balance horses provide to offset her career and life demands, plus her belief in allowing, even nurturing, the contribution of all beings – even those of her horse – that will resonate with listeners attempting to balance pursuit of their own life dreams,” Royal said.
Hoag, who lives in Wellington and competes her horses on the Grand Prix dressage circuit, said she enjoyed being on the show. “The theme of the day was Character and we talked about the characters of my horses and how they connect or translate in any way to my work as a writer. It was really an interesting and fun discussion,” Hoag said.
Trey Young, “The American Horseman,” has been busy planning and promoting his new television series airing on HRTV Dish Network 404. While creating his schedule, the horseman has reserved many dates along the way for future clinics. Young has been hosting clinics at his 3-Y Ranch in Crawfordville, FL for nearly 4 years. His clinics range from confidence on the trail, to cow work, to basic horsemanship.
Trey’s next clinic is a basic horsemanship clinic set for June 25th-26th. This clinic is designed for all levels of horsemanship. Young will assure that you leave this clinic with renewed confidence and understanding, resulting in a stronger bond and partnership between you and your horse. Regardless of your skill level, this clinic promises something new, fun, and helpful for everyone that attends.
This basic horsemanship clinic will feature some ground work as well as more saddle time to get your horse to better understand your cues. From start to finish the rider will focus on improving everything for themselves, and their horse. Clinics are limited to small sizes to ensure each person gets the one on one time they need. If you would like to attend a clinic, but don’t have a horse, one can be provided for an additional fee.
Wellington, FL – June 20, 2011 – Dressage specialist and six-time Olympian Robert Dover, host of the popular Dover’s World radio program, will devote an upcoming show to current issues in the hunter industry. Airing Tuesday, June 21, 2011, on WBZT (AM1230 in the Palm Beaches) at 6pm EST, the show will hunt for the most important hunter-related issues in the ever-changing world of equestrian sport.
From pony hunters to hunter derbies, the wide range of potential topics offers listeners a great chance to call in and voice their opinion. In addition, those who tune in Tuesday night will also have the chance to hear insightful commentary from knowledgeable panelists. Peter Pletcher, Kim Stewart, Richard Slocum, and another authority (TBA) will all lend their considerable expertise to the program.
Having already devoted shows to the jumper industry and eventing, Dover’s hunter-focused session will examine the future of hunters as well as their past. “The show will raise many questions about the direction in which the industry is going,” noted Dover. “Is the sport better or worse than it was in previous years?” The use of calming agents vs. other methods of controlling a horse’s behavior, the influence of derbies, evolving expectations of horses and riders – Dover says there is no limit to the discussions that will animate the airwaves Tuesday night.
Eastern Selection Trial 5-year-old champion Lauren Chumley and Somer Hit. Photo by Pics of You.
Lexington, KY – With three horses earning qualifying scores of 8.2 or better at the 2011 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials and four earning qualifying scores in Europe, the U.S. had a competitive list of seven – more than ever before – to choose from when considering who will make up the team for the FEI World Breeding Championships held in Verden, Germany, August 3-7.
“The number of horses that qualified this year was a true testament to the Markel/USEF Young Horse Program,” said USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler. “We had impressive horses come from all areas of the country with many competing overseas and doing quite well against top quality horses. The Young Horse Program is progressing in the U.S. just the way we hoped it would.”
The U.S. is invited to field a team of four in Verden – two 5-year-olds and two 6-year-olds. This year’s U.S. team will consist of a total of three (a 5-year-old and two 6-year-olds). The final team includes the 5-year-old Westphalian stallion, Florentinus (Florestan I – Lady in Red by Londonderry), owned and ridden by Jennifer Hoffman. The duo qualified by earning a score of 8.5 in Europe. The 6-year-olds include the Austrian Warmblood stallion Ratzinger (Riccione – St. Pr. St. Inschella by Pablo), also owned and ridden by Hoffman, who qualified with an 8.5 in Europe. The second 6-year-old is the Oldenburg mare, Royal Couer 2 (Royal Hit – Riva by Le Coeur), owned and ridden by Marne Martin Tucker. The pair earned a score of 8.36 in Europe to qualify for the team.
Altenfelden, Austria – The 20th anniversary of the CAI Altenfelden is history. It was an event with top sport performances by competitors from 18 nations. Chester Weber, the American driving sport star and winner of the king class (the four-in-hand horse class), said, “I like the nice atmosphere of the Altenfelden competition. The people are all very friendly and try to support the competitors the best they can. During this competition I have the opportunity to meet and compete against drivers from the Eastern part of Europe – more than I usually do in the other competitions. This is a great and different experience for me.”
The marathon test is in every driving competition one of the action high points. It is also drawing the crowds. During the 2011 Altenfelden marathon the competitors had to complete eight obstacles – two of which were built new this year, the others were remodeled. Different weather conditions – from sun to heavy rain – were made the test even more dambing for the competitors, but the international top drivers mastered them without accident. Wins for Tomas Eriksson (SWE), Reinhard Burggraf (GER) and Henrik Höper (DEN) in the horse classes.
