Things You'll Need:
- Saddled and bridled horse.
- Show entry payment (see show management for this)
- Proper show attire (also consult show management)
- Safety approved headgear.
- Boots with heels.
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Step 1
For the first round, you will ride a predetermined course over fences. Again, this is judged on your position and competency as a rider. Eyes and head should be up, looking at your course. Your back should be loose and relaxed, not arched and not slumped in any way. Think of your natural, standing posture and imagine that as you sit on the horse, you are standing on the ground.
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Step 2
Your elbows should bent so as to create a straight line from your elbow to the bit in the horse's mouth. Hands should be closed loosely but not firmly around the reins. Gripping the reins will result in penalties as will loose and open fingers. Your legs should be firmly on the horse's sides both on the ground and in the air, as you go over an obstacle. Heels should be down and toes pointed out just a bit.
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Step 3
After you ride the first round, the judge will determine a "work-off" test, usually for the top riders from the first round, but the group can consist of all original riders. The judge will announce who is to be allowed in the second round and will give you a test that is not previously disclosed.
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Step 4
The second work off can consist of anything from the following list. (1.) Halt, or halt and back. (2.) Hand gallop. (3). Figure eight at trot, demonstrating change of diagonals. (4.) Figure eight at canter on correct lead, demonstrating simple change of lead. (5.) Work collectively or individually at a walk, trot and/or canter.(6.) Jump low obstacles at a trot as well as at a canter. (7.) Jump obstacles on figure eight course. (8.) Question(s) regarding basic horsemanship, tack and equipment and conformation. (9.) Ride without stirrups, riders must be allowed option to cross stirrups. (10.) Jump low obstacles at a walk as well as at a canter. (11). Dismount and mount, individually. (12.) Turn on the forehand. (13.) Figure eight at canter on correct lead demonstrating flying change of lead. (14.) Execute serpentine at a trot and/or canter on correct lead demonstrating simple or flying changes of lead. (15.) Change leads on a line demonstrating a simple or flying change of lead. (16.) Change horses. (Note: this test is the equivalent of two tests.) (17.) Canter on counter lead. (18.) Turn on the haunches from the walk. (19.) Demonstration ride of approximately one minute. Rider must advise judge beforehand what ride he plans to demonstrate.
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Step 5
A lower level of competition may only require you to know skills 1 through 8 while a higher level may require that you be able to perform all 19 skills, should the judge ask. Show management can tell you which ones may be required. The test can be simply a shortened version of the previously ridden course, or it can be entirely different. The test will very likely consist of doing the aforementioned skills between jumps and is designed to test your ability as a rider and the control you have over your horse. Memorizing the new test quickly and treating it as any other equitation round is your best course of action.
