New USEF Safe Sport Educational Requirements

US Equestrian developed their Safe Sport program to create and maintain an equestrian community free of all forms of emotional, physical and sexual misconduct. They state that all of their members have a mandatory duty to report suspected sexual misconduct.  They have recently developed the USEF Safe Sport Policy and U.S. Center for SafeSport Code which are intended to protect all competitors. 

Their homepage for Safe Sport can be found by clicking on this link.  There is a compelling video on the homepage of five time Olympian Anne Kursinski sharing her experience of being abused at age 11 by a worldclass trainer.  In this video she encourages everyone to become educated about what to look for so that no more children suffer what she suffered.  

In order to be eligible to compete in any USEF events in 2019 you need to take the three Safe Sport training modules.  The instructions for taking the training can be found on the US Equestrian Safe Sport homepage.  Additonally they have phone numbers for a 24 hour helpline and a link to electronically report sexual misconduct as well as resources for victims of sexual misconduct.  They also have resources for parents including a “Complete Parent Toolkit” and a “US Safesport Directory” of individuals who have successfully completed the USEF background screening check.  Please feel free to contact the USEF if you have any questions.

 

TDF’s Op-Ed: Training a Horse to Grand Prix

Michael Poulin’s Thoughts on Training a Horse to Grand Prix

Michael Poulin’s Thoughts on Training a Horse to Grand Prix

About Michael: Most people who reach Grand Prix in dressage make their mark in one primary facet of the sport – competitor, trainer, instructor, judge. Michael Poulin is all four. He is a member of the Bronze Medal winning United States Team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and boasts multiple national and international championships. Michael heads the Poulin School of Dressage at the Dressage Center, Inc. in DeLeon Springs, FL, where he works with a prominent student roster.

This article gathers some of Michael’s thoughts on classical riding to Grand Prix.

 

Foreword: Congratulations on choosing dressage as your discipline. As you know, dressage is designed to make a better riding horse, not necessarily a better competition horse, although if you do the correct training on the ground from the beginning, you will be a very happy rider.

On training a horse: I work a young horse from the ground for several months before I get on him for the first time. By working from the ground, you can eliminate the horse’s fear and anxiety because you are teaching the horse commands that he can easily understand. This gives the horse more confidence in the work. Learning to long line will be one of the most valuable tools for your future Grand Prix horse. Once he has developed balance and strength from this approach, you will have already made a major leap forward in the understanding of what will be asked for in later development.

The value of training a horse at the speed that he can learn is always the best. By training at the horse’s pace, you will create confident advancement in the horse. If you train a horse to do something within ‘X’ number of days, forcing the issue, you will create restrictions within the animal that promote the slow deterioration of his movement, and he may never become a top horse. Not all horses are going to be top Grand Prix horses, so don’t expect too much from horses that have limitations.

On finding a coach: I would highly recommend getting a coach who will take on the problems of the student, rather than create them. A good coach is someone who has a track record of being kind and confident; with a proven system and methodology that shows itself in the arena. The student should be able to easily understand the steps to take in the training. Even if you have to travel a great distance to find the right coach for you, do that. Take the time to find a coach who will support you.

I would caution you towards any trainer, coach or teacher that uses inappropriate language, creates negatives in your learning process or doesn’t have the answers for your questions. That is someone you do not want to spend your time with. Pick a trainer who has a good knowledge base and riding background. There are many trainers who can start something but have very limited knowledge on how to develop it. When the pitfalls come, the coach will not see them, and your horse will learn to resist in an incorrect way, hurting the animal and your future. It’s a lot like a flying instructor teaching you how to get the airplane off the ground, but never teaching you how to land it.

On gaining experience as a rider: I cannot stress this point enough – if you want to be a top rider, you will need lots of experience on an FEI horse. If you don’t have the money to buy or lease an FEI horse, be a working student for someone who does. Riding is feeling, and if you don’t know the feeling, you won’t be able to apply that feel to a young horse. Do lots of reading about what you are to look for while training and why. Remember that you’re supposed to develop the horse’s gaits – not diminish them.

Historically, many horses do well until Third Level, but when it comes to the upper levels, there are very few that make Grand Prix. This can be due to the lack of correct training towards that individual horse at an early age. You should learn the training scale and know how to explain the value of all six individual parts, so when you look at a horse, you can see if the basics are clearly in place. Remember it takes a lot of time to develop a good upper level horse.

Rhythm – Clear footfalls at each gait or beat. Walk is 4-beat, trot is 2-beat, canter is 3-beat. Maintain tempo within these gaits.

Relaxation – Absence of tension, physically and mentally.

Contact – Acceptance of the bit through the acceptance of the feet, leg, and rein aids.

Impulsion – Increased energy, thrust, and suppleness generated from the hindquarters through to the bit.

Straightness – Correct alignment on both straight and curved lines. Note the footfalls on the diagrams.

Collection – Increased activity from behind and a lightness of the forehand.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions along your training journey. Most people who are very successful like to speak about how and why their training programs work, and some even share what mistakes they made. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge on the internet, but there’s nothing more helpful than working with a coach or trainer who has trained many horses to Grand Prix and dealt with problems within the training process. I would highly recommend going and spending some time with someone who has trained horses up to Grand Prix, so you can actually see the process in action. This is also useful because you can get a feel for the temperament and demeanor of your coach.

Your seat is going to be a VERY important part of your future, so make sure you work on it every day! If you can’t follow the rhythm and stay in balance with your horse, you can’t be creative with your seat, your legs or your hands. Don’t underestimate the value of having a good seat! It is absolutely vital.

On choosing a horse: A big key to successful training is picking your horse. You can first start to understand breeding by looking at the history of Olympic horses. Who were the sires and the dams? Did they do dressage and how successful were they?

When I look for a horse, I ask:
1. What is the horse’s temperament?
2. What is its character?
3. Is the horse intelligent?
4. Is the horse aware of its surroundings?
5. Does it respond to sound quicker than sight?
6. Is it a looker? Does the horse spook at everything?

For me, I don’t want to fight with the horse every day to get by the same spot on the ground. It’s not fun having to work around that for years and it slows the process of learning. It can be fixed in time but it’s a lot more work.

Everyone wants three good gaits in a horse. For me, the canter is the most important. The walk has to have four clear beats and should not be too big. A huge walk is difficult to keep clear as you enter collection. A quick hind leg is a must. And remember, the trot can be developed much easier than the canter. Don’t ever pick a horse by its color!

End note: Classical knowledge is imperative to classical riding. The philosophy of classical riding is that the horse understands the rider’s aids with relaxation – not fear – and relates the aids to the physical movement that he’s doing. Classical riding develops the horse’s physique with mental understanding.

Please follow this link to see more issues of The Dressage Foundation’s Op-Ed.

TDF’s Op-Ed: What do Judges Look for at Training and First Levels

By Sarah Geikie, USEF ‘S’ Judge

What do judges look for at Training and First Level?  This is a very Sarah-Geikieinteresting question, one that I am asked very frequently by riders. Many riders at these levels, especially riders new to dressage are not aware that there is a ‘roadmap for dressage training.’ It is called the Pyramid of Training. This guide is not only for riders and trainers to abide by, but it also provides the framework for which judges evaluate dressage tests. For every movement in a test, the judge must make a decision on whether the criteria for the movement has been met. For example, the first movement of the test is enter working trot, halt, salute, proceed working trot. The essence of that movement is the straightness on the centerline, the transitions into and out of the halt, and the quality of the halt itself. Additional elements of this score are the quality of the trot before and after the halt, the overall balance of the horse, both lateral and longitudinal, and well as the quality of the connection. The elements of the Pyramid of Training; rhythm, relaxation, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, and collection, are guidelines the judge uses to determine how well the horse and rider have fulfilled the criteria for the movement.

A day of judging for the dressage judge involves the judge literally making thousands of decisions to come up with the right mark and score for each horse. The big joke at the end of a show day is a group of judges going out to dinner. No one can make a decision on what to order because we have used up our quota of decisions!

At these beginning levels, Training and First Level, the foundation for the education of the dressage horse is being laid down. It is of vital importance that the correct foundation is established for the horse, as well as the rider. What dressage judges are really looking for is correct riding and correct training. So the question becomes, “What does correct riding and training look like from the view at C?”

First of all, we should see that there is a clear communication system that is understood between the horse and rider. The rider has learned to use light, supple aids, both with the legs, seat and hands. The rider has trained the horse to react to small leg aids, the use of the weight aid and an invisible rein aid.  As a result of this communication, the rider is able to establish relaxed acceptance of the aids. In turn, this provides the rider with the necessary tools to develop a clear rhythm and consistent tempo, and a soft acceptance of the contact.

So far, correct riding looks relaxed, rhythmic, and harmonious. 

At Training Level, the judge is expecting to see that the horse can easily fulfill the requirements for this level. That is to say the horse goes freely forward, with acceptance of the aids and bit. The horse demonstrates that it can move in a level balance, shows correct bend on twenty meter circles, in corners, and can manage progressive, balanced transitions.

At First Level, judges expect to see a horse that has developed more strength and suppleness, so is able to move in an uphill balance. A First Level horse is also able to do less progressive transitions, such as trot-halt, leg yields, smaller circles, and lengthenings.

Let’s take a closer look at the rider now. The position, balance and independence of the rider’s aids play a deciding factor on the success and quality of the training. The rider has a responsibility to learn to sit correctly and in balance 100% of the time. A crooked rider creates a crooked, stiff horse, resulting in confusion in the communication system. A rider that is dependent on their hands and stirrups for balance can never train a horse to balance itself. 

Judges hate to see rough riding, with harsh, obvious aids that are working out of rhythm and balance with the horse. This kind of riding lacks harmony and is painful to watch.

Another offshoot of incorrect aids on the part of the rider is inaccurate figures, such as falling in or out of corners, circles not round, geometry slipshod. Riding accurate figures is the only way a rider can develop suppleness in the horse. At Training Level, the degree of bend is really very small. Judges expect to see that the horse’s body conforms to the path that it is following. This establishes balance. Later on at First Level, where there is an increase in bending lines, there should be more suppleness in the horse.

Another thing that judges expect to see is that the horse is shown and presented at the appropriate level.  The rule of thumb is that the horse should show one level down from the level he is training at home. So, if the horse is schooling Second Level at home, show First Level. The judges do not want to see the horse struggling. We want to see a horse performing with confidence, trust in the rider and in an easy balance. 

In conclusion, judges want to see a horse presented at a level where the horse is securely confirmed at that level. The horse will be confident, balanced, and relaxed. The movements will look easy for him, not difficult. The balance and suppleness has been developed so that even at this level, the gaits will start to be improved. 

The rider will present themselves in a quiet, balanced position. The aids will be invisible. The emphasis in the aiding system will be on the seat, weight, legs and least important the hands.

One of the best things for a rider to do is volunteer to scribe at a show. By doing this, you will see the point of view of the judge, and most likely be mildly shocked! The view from C is very different from what you would expect, but it is one that when experienced, will change your ideas about dressage tests. 

The role of the judge is to serve as a mirror for the rider.

The judge must make it clear to where the horse and rider stand and determine if they are up to the standard for their level. 

What are the strong points, what are the weak points, what areas need to be improved? The other role of the judge is to adhere to the principles of dressage and to make sure that these principles are followed as intended, and do not become watered down. The last and very most important job of the judge is to be a protector for the well-being of the horse.

About Sarah Geikie…

Sarah Geikie is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, and successful competitor through Grand Prix. She is an FEI**** (C) Dressage Judge, USEF S Judge and a USDF Examiner and Faculty Member, who is also certified through Fourth Level. Sarah was the 2011 recipient of TDF’s Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship for Dressage Instructors and now serves on TDF’s Board of Directors.

To see other TDF Op-Ed articles Click on this Link

New USEF Vaccination Rule for Recognized Shows

The USEF announced a new Vaccination Rule that will impact individuals that compete in recognized shows. Upon registration for a show, each competitor will need to provide proof that their horse was vaccinated within 6 months of entrance to the competition. We wanted to make everyone aware of this so that you could be prepared ahead of time for the 2016 show season. The official announcement sent out by the USEF was as follows:

 

November 12, 2015

USEF Equine Vaccination Rule
From the USEF Communications Department

 

Lexington, Ky. – In January, the USEF Board of Directors approved an addition to the rule book, which outlines equine vaccination requirements at licensed competitions. Beginning December 1, 2015, all horses entering the grounds of a Federation-licensed competition must be accompanied by documentation of Equine Influenza Virus and Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis) vaccinations within six months prior to entering the stables.

 

Due to several high profile Equine Herpes (EHV) outbreaks in recent years that have involved the neuropathic strain of the virus (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy-EHM), some competitions have placed vaccination requirements on their competitors that go beyond most accepted medical opinions and raise concern that unnecessary requirements can potentially put a horse at risk. The intent of this rule is to ensure that all licensed competitions comply with the vaccination guidelines for Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes (Rhinopneumonitis) published by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). These guidelines are reviewed by infectious disease experts regularly, and recommend vaccinating competition horses at six-month intervals for both equine influenza (flu) and rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4). There is not a vaccine that protects against EHM. 

 

Intended to promote proper vaccination protocols, this rule does not anticipate an increased workload for competition management. The flu vaccination information can be added to the documentation already required by most competitions: a horse’s health certificate and a negative coggins test.

 

Read GR845 in its entirety

 

If you have questions regarding GR845 please contact the USEF Drugs & Medications department at medequestrian@aol.com or 800-633-2472. 

 

 

Working Equitation-Dressage with Obstacle Course Work

Working Equitation 2Working Equitation was born as a sport in Europe in the early 1990s. The four founding countries of Working Equitation (WE) are Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. It is based on the cattle working traditions of Southern European countries, especially Spain and Portugal. This area, known as the Iberian Peninsula, has thousands of years of history, not to mention infrastructure, built upon the relationships between horses, cattle and men. The goal of the sport is to preserve and perpetuate not only the traditional types of Working Equitation 1equitation worldwide, but also the cultural traditions of each country and their horses.

Working Equitation is a sport that melds dressage with obstacle course work, effectively applying dressage principles to actual functions, such as opening and closing a gate calmly and smoothly or negotiating a slalom of posts at canter.  There are three phases of WE: Dressage, Ease of Handling and Speed. The latter two phases are held over an obstacle course. The dressage tests and judging criteria for WE have been developed by WE participants and leaders in the sport, not the USDF or USEF. Classical dressage tenets are emphasized and rewarded. A fourth phase, cattle sorting, is held at team competitions only. There are three recognized types of competitions: schooling, recognized, and championship. Rules and tests for Working Equitation in the US may be found here: http://www.weiausa.com/#!rulesandshows/c6gz. In competition, riders are required to use tack and attire from the same genre (i.e., you cannot wear dressage attire while you horse wears Western tack), and riders are encouraged to depict the historical background of their horse’s breed or the traditions revolving around what the breed has been used for in the past. There is no need to purchase a new fancy turnout, you can use what you probably already own.

Working Equitation 5The World Association for Working Equitation, found at http://www.wawe-official.com/, is the international governing body for the sport. In the US, WEIUSA, found at http://www.weiausa.com/, is the national governing body for the sport and regulates rated shows. WEIUSA’s mission is to ‘…exist solely for the support and promotion of Working Equitation in the United States, with the expectation that an active WE community in the US will also support the growth of WE worldwide. To this end, we commit to a continued focus on education of current and future competitors, education and licensing of judges, and promoting competitions. We further commit to support the WAWE in its efforts to receive FEI recognition for the sport of Working Equitation. In the United States, this may require the WEIAUSA to work closely with the United States Equestrian Federation, to achieve this goal.’

In short, WE is another way to improve your relationship with your horse, Working Equitation 7build your skills as a rider and create a safer and more pleasant riding companion of your equine friend.

Central Washington Dressage Society is going to be offering Western Equitation tests at their schooling shows.  If you are interested in riding a Western Equitation test at one of our Schooling Shows, please specify the test on your entry form.

Educational Grants now available from The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation has updated their list of educational grants.  The flyer that was recently released, and that summarizes the current grant opportunities, can be seen by clicking on the link that is given below:

2014 Educational Grants-TDF

You can also learn more by visiting www.dressagefoundation.org or by calling (402) 434-8585.  Please consider applying for one of these grants.