By Sarah Barnes

Beginning this year, dressage riders will have a fresh opportunity to evaluate their skills through the new USEF Rider Tests. Designed to showcase rider position and effectiveness, the tests do not include any scores for the horse's gaits. Rather, they emphasize the rider's correct use of the aids and the horse's response. As Janet Foy, a member of the combined USEF/USDF subcommittee responsible for developing the new tests explains, "[we] hope that all riders who love dressage are willing to improve and highlight their riding skills, not just show the quality of the horse." The new Rider tests provide an ideal means of realizing this aspiration.

According to an overview provided by the subcommittee, the tests are being introduced at Training through Second Level and are similar in format to the Young Horse tests, in that the test pattern is ridden but the individual movements are not scored. Instead, five equally weighted collective marks are given, with an opportunity for the judge to make specific comments or highlight certain directives. As the subcommittee points out, these tests are specifically designed to, as much as possible, remove the horse's quality from the evaluation process, instead focusing on the rider's ability by evaluating:

-Rider's Position

-Correct and Effective Use of the Aids

-Horse's Response and Performance 

-Accuracy of the Exercises 

-Harmony between Rider and Horse.

Each of these collective marks has a coefficient of two.

Currently, a single Rider test is available at each level, Training through Second, with plans in the works to develop tests for Third and Fourth. The tests are designed to be somewhat more difficult than Test 3 at each level, with an effort made to address issues that judges often observe going wrong, for example, cutting corners. A premium is placed on accuracy and preparation and movements are situated so that the judge at "C" will have a clear view of every transition. Some movements are included that do not show up in the regular tests at each level, such as a trot-walk-trot transition at Training and a canter serpentine with simple changes at both First and Second level. Of particular note is the addition of turn-on-the forehand in the First level test. "Most of us agreed," remarked Foy, "that since this movement is such a basic training tool, it should be in one of the tests."

Like the regular tests, each Rider test includes extensive directive ideas for each movement, as well as explanations under the collective marks. In the Rider tests, however, the emphasis differs as compared to the regular tests, with more weight given to the rider's position and the effect she has on her mount. For example, whereas the directives in the stretchy circle in First 3 call for "forward and downward stretch over the back into light contact, maintaining balance and quality of trot; bend, shape and size of circle, smooth, balanced transitions,

" the directives for the same movement in the First level Rider test require that "[the] rider maintains posture and alignment; encourages horse to stretch to a light rein contact. Horse stretches willingly by lowering the neck and rounding the topline; shows smooth transitions to longer and shorter rein contact." Similarly, whereas in the regular tests the collective marks for "Rider's Position and Seat" offer no further explanation of exactly what the judge might be looking for, the same category in the Rider tests goes into much greater detail, stating that, ideally, "the rider's ear, shoulder, hip and heel are aligned vertically when sitting at all gaits. The trunk is slightly in front of the vertical in rising trot. When seen from in front or behind the rider is straight and symmetrical with even shoulders, hips and stirrups. The rider sits in harmony with the mechanics of each gait. The hands maintain a steady, elastic contact with the horse's mouth." Here, indeed, is something to which we might all aspire!

For the current competition year, scores on the new Rider tests will not count toward USDF year-end awards. As Foy explains, "we want a year to work with judges and their skills in this new type of judging before awards are offered." Local GMOs and chapters, however, can make the decision about whether or not to include the new tests in their own year-end recognitions. Individual shows will also make the call about whether to offer separate classes for the new tests, with Open, AA and Jr./YR divisions, or to designate the Rider test as a test-of-choice and put all three levels together in one group, and then pin the class either according to level or division. This brings up the point that the new tests are not just targeted at adult amateurs. As Foy emphasizes, the subcommittee hopes that all dressage enthusiasts, whether professional trainers, adult amateurs, juniors or even riders from other disciplines such as eventing, will see the tests as a means to improve their abilities.

So, check your omnibus for a new Rider test near you! But be sure to study both the directive ideas and the collective marks before trotting down centerline. They contain a wealth of insight into the qualities that constitute correct and effective riding, as well as correct and effective training according to the classical training scale. As Foy says, "you do not need an expensive trot to do well in these tests." No matter your horse's breed, age, or size, if you and your equine friend have been working hard to improve your skills and partnership, here's your chance to show your stuff. 

(Article based on an email interview with Janet Foy, as well as her article in the December 2012 issue of Dressage Today and materials provided by the USEF/USDF joint subcommittee. The tests themselves can be accessed from the USEF website, for free by USEF members, or by purchasing a test booklet.)