New Morgan Class Offered at 2009 Shows
Show Requirements and Prize List information for Western Dressage classes:
Show Requirements:
Morgan Western Dressage Classes* may be incorporated into the schedule at USEF Licensed Competitions provided the following conditions are met:
1. The Competition must be restricted to Morgans.
2. These classes must be judged by a licensed Dressage Judge.
3. The specific exceptions to the Dressage Section Rules listed in the Morgan Dressage Rule must be followed.
4. These classes must be listed in the Miscellaneous section of the prize list rather than with the Dressage Classes and must be run separate from the Dressage classes due to the difference in tack requirements. Since a Dressage Judge is needed, they may be run before or after the Dressage section.
5. The current USEF (www.usef.org) and USDF (www.usdf.org) Dressage tests for these classes can be located on their respective websites.
*Please see additional pages: “How to” and “Basic position” for further information.
For the prize list:
Entries must comply with DR101, in regards to object, technique, and gait, with the exception of gait definitions. Where trot is required, jog will be substituted. Where canter is required, lope will be substituted. No rising trot is allowed. Refer to MO132 for appointments and attire.
How To For Western Dressage:
Ring DR126.7 gives detailed descriptions of arena size, fence set up, etc. If the show has a dressage division, it will have the appropriate ring already set up. In general, the ring should be as level as possible: the Small Arena must be 40 meters long by 20 meters wide. All of the tests available through First Level Test 1 may be done in this size ring. The Standard Arena is 60 meters long by 20 meters wide; this size arena may be used for all tests and must be used for all tests First Level Test 2 and above.
Grass surface arenas are not recommended; if that surface must be used, it must be stated in the prize list.
It is recommended that arenas (this refers to the competition area) be separated from the public by a distance of not less than 15 meters. For indoor competitions, the minimum distance should in principle be 3 meters. The enclosure itself should consist of a low fence about 0.3 meters high. The fence should be such to prevent the horse’s hooves from becoming entangled and arena stakes, if used, must be covered with a ball or similar object so as to prevent injury. Rope, concrete or unbreakable chain fencing is not allowed.
Letters The part of the fence at A should be easy to remove to let the competitors in and out of the arena in a suitable way. The part of the fence at A can remain open. The letter A should be placed at least five meters away from the arena; this will make it easier for horses to enter and exit the competition ring.
The letters outside the enclosure should be placed about 0.5 meters from the fence and clearly marked. So that the judges can note the exact point on the track opposite each letter, it is compulsory to place a marker on the fence itself, level with and in addition to the letter concerned. It is permissible to decorate the letters with flowers or greenery to enhance the appearance of the arena.
Location of the Judge If there is only one judge he is preferably placed a maximum of five meters and minimum of three meters from the end of the arena and must be opposite the letter C. At indoor competitions Judges should preferably be placed a minimum of 3 meters from the arena. A separate enclosure (booth, tent, trailer) should be provided for the judge and scribe.
Warm Up A large, well groomed area must be available for warm up. An exercise area must be provided far enough away from the arena so as not to disturb the competitors during their tests. It should be of sufficient size for several competitors to prepare their horses at the same time. It is strongly recommended that a lungeing area be provided separate from and in addition to mounted warm up areas and that it be available throughout the competition.
Judge A dressage judge(s) must officiate in the Western Dressage classes. See DR126.2 and 126.8 which give the information regarding placement of the judge and other information. The competition should make every effort to familiarize the judge with the special nature of Western Dressage. A short statement of intent as well as information on the Basic Position and Aids of the Rider is included with this information.
Scribes DR126.6 lists criteria for scribes.
Steward/TD The competition steward may act as steward for the Western Dressage. DR125.3 provides special information about the steward’s duties for dressage. Note that bits can be inspected by the steward after the ride DR121.8. A horse must be eliminated from the test just completed if the bits are in violation or if the mouth or tongue has been tied in any manner.
Tests Tests for Intro, Training Level, and First Level test 1 are available from the USEF.org website.
Calling tests This is permitted for all tests in Western Dressage. See DR122.1 for detailed information.
Bits The use of any snaffle bit which meets the requirements of MO132.3 may be used on a horse of any age being ridden in Intro, Training, and First Level. The rider must use two hands with a snaffle bit. The use of a curb bit which meets the requirements of MO132.2 may be used on a horse of any age being ridden at any level; rider may use either one or two hands with the curb bit. See Scoring for use of hands and bits. Hackamores and cavessons are not permitted in any test at any level.
Hands The rider may use one or two hands with a curb bit during a test but may not go from one hand to two during an individual test. Use of hands should conform to MO131.5.
Execution and judging of tests see DR122.
Scoring DR123 gives this information. Additionally, Western Dressage requests that the judge use collective mark #4 to consider the difficulty for use of one hand with a curb bit or the use of a snaffle as compared with the use of two hands with a curb bit.
The collective marks in Western Dressage are:
1. Gaits----multiple of 2 on score given
2. Impulsion---- multiple of 2 on score given
3. Submission---- multiple of 2 on score given
4. The rider’s position and seat; correctness and effectiveness of aids---- multiple of 3 on score given
" Collective Mark #4 which refers to the rider use of aids allows the judge reward the greater degree of difficultly inherent in the use of a snaffle or a curb and particularly the difficultly of riding one handed with a curb bit. Generally, a rider may find it easiest to ride with a curb bit using two hands; riding with one hand and a curb bit is the most challenging."
Elimination This is covered in DR124
Why Western Dressage:
The western dressage classes would offer a place for the western rider and horse to improve themselves as individuals and as partners through the use and discipline of dressage. By using dressage principles the western rider can help a horse in multiple ways such as cadence, balance and carriage to name a few. The use of dressage will help the western horse to again work off his rear end allowing for lightness in the front end with a more natural head set. Dressage itself will also help greatly to maintain the soundness of the horse for many years.
If you are a dressage rider none of this is new, but for many western riders this discipline has been out of reach or practice for them. The formality and “differentness” of dressage puts it out of the comfort zone for many western riders. We feel that the time is right to open the dressage doors to the western division. The competitive bar will be raised; the personal satisfaction in knowing that "good " is being done for both horse and rider is important no matter what tack is used. These classes will also offer a place where the western rider can compete on a scoring system that allows them to move "up" at their own level. It is not just a competitive format but an educational one as well.
The western dressage classes give a mature western horse (5 and over) a place to be re-schooled with the use of a snaffle. It is also a good entry level for individuals who wish to learn to ride and show as well as for riders returning to competition.
It is not the goal of the western dressage classes to use Dressage Horses under western tack. It is the goal of the western dressage to maintain the integrity of the western horse and western traditions through the use of dressage. This is very important. A western horse moves differently; western dressage can just help it move more correctly.
Western dressage is all about being the best western horse and rider you can be.
Dressage is not about the outfit or the tack. It is about the horse. If the western riders want to participate, we must give them the opportunity. The rider wins, the horse wins and the show industry wins as well.
TESTS FOR MORGAN WESTERN DRESSAGE:
The link listed below will take you to the USEF website where the information regarding all dressage tests is posted. Follow the instructions listed there to access the tests and to use them at your show.
http://www.usef.org/Contentpage2.aspx?id=dressage
Basic Position for the Rider:
BASIC POSITION – The stirrup should be just short enough to allow heels to be lower than toes. Body should appear comfortable, relaxed, and flexible. Feet should be placed in the stirrups with the weight on the ball of the foot. Consideration, however, should be given to the width of the stirrups, which vary on Western saddles. If stirrups are wide, the foot may have the appearance of being home when, in reality, the weight is being properly carried on the ball of the foot.
POSITION AND AIDS OF THE RIDER
a. All movements should be obtained without apparent effort of the rider. He/She should be well balanced with loins and hips supple, thighs and legs steady and well stretched downward. The upper part of the body should be easy, free and erect.
b. One Hand – one arm should be in a straight line with the body and the arm in which the hand is holding the reins is bent at the elbow. Changing of hands is prohibited during the test. One finger between the reins is permitted when ends of split reins fall on the near side. No finger is allowed between the reins when using romal or when ends of split reins are held in the hand not used for reining. Rider may hold romal or end of split reins to keep from swinging and to adjust the position of the reins, provided there are at least 16 inches of rein between the hands. If a romal is used, hands are to be above the horn and as near to it as possible. Bracing against horn or coiled riata will be penalized.
c. Two Hands – Hands should be low and close together without touching each other or the horse, with the thumb as the highest point. The elbows and arms should be close to the body, forming a reasonably straight line from the rider’s elbow to the horse’s mouth. The rider should follow the movements of the horse smoothly and freely and to apply his/her aids imperceptibly. This is the only position that makes it possible for the rider to school his/her horse progressively and correctly.
d. The Seat is of great importance in Dressage. The rider who understands how to contract and relax his loin muscles at the right moment is able to influence his horse correctly.
e. The use of the voice in any way whatsoever or clicking the tongue once or repeatedly is a serious fault involving the deduction of at least 2 marks from those that would otherwise have been awarded for the movement where this occurred. DR117.4