ARENA SKILLS

Marks are more easily lost than gained. A slight difference in approach to a movement can be the difference between a 5 or a 7.

 

YOU CAN GAIN MARKS WITH:

  1. A well-prepared entry. Look ahead to C and enter so you are straight on the centre line.

  2. Accuracy. Use corners and show that there is a difference between a corner/turn or being on a circle.

  3. Smooth submissive transitions on the marker.

  4. Straightness up the centre line and a square halt.

  5. Riding forwards. This helps straightness.

  6. A good free walk. You must show a difference in the walk. In free walk the footsteps should over-track.

  7. Thinking and preparing ahead. The movements come up quickly, especially in canter.

 

HOW YOU CAN LOSE MARKS: 

  1. A poor entry.

  2. Not making full use of the arena and cutting corners.

  3. Bad preparation.

  4. Lack of rhythm.

  5. Not showing differences in pace.

  6. A bad transition, a wrong strike off or a bad a break in canter. It is better to be forward in the canter than to hold a young horse and risk a break.

  7. Crookedness, especially when it is obvious, i.e. on the centre line and into a halt.

 

WHAT THE JUDGE LOOKS FOR:

  1. Relaxed horse and rider who have a good partnership.

  2. The horse that confidently understands the rider’s leg, which accepts the hand and takes the rider forward in a soft bur correct outline, with an elastic contact.

  3. The horse that goes actively forward in all paces, retaining rhythm and balance.

  4. Straightness of the horse, which is paramount throughout. He should be upright in the shoulder, not falling in or out, and the quarters should follow the upright shoulder.

  5. The rider who can perform an accurate test within the confines of space. Circles are circles, not squares with rounded corners! Transitions should be as close to the markers as possible.