View source for Dressage Rules & Policy, (05/11/2006)

Dressage

The word itself is simply French for training.  As an equestrian competition it is at it's most basic level, a test of the horse's training and willingness to work with a rider.  In the case of pony play the idea is very similar, it is the test of the pony's training and responsiveness to his/her trainer.

Judging Guidelines

Each test will consist of a series of 5 moves which are called out in a random order for each contestant (either from a judge or a script) this allows it to remain a fair contest through the rounds.

Judging will be on a scale from 0-5
0 meaning that the move was not completed
5 meaning it was completed flawlessly.
Each score given in whole numbers only  no 4.5's or 2.5's etc

On top of this there will also be 5 categories on which each pony/trainer duo will be judged for overall performance.

Responsiveness- The pony's willingness and speed at obeying commands as they are given.

Accuracy- The pony's accuracy in following the figures of the arena(stay within the lines, the lines are our friends)

Rhythm and Regulation- The smoothness in which the pony moves about the dressage ring, specifically in transitions both from curves to straight and from figure to figure.

Command- How well the trainer commands the pony within the ring.

Presentation- This is a broad category covering how well they work as a team, as well as how pony and trainer look together in the ring.  Is the pony well cared for, eager to please? These are all contributing factors in presentation.

Final scores are computed by dropping the highest and lowest score and averaging the remaining together each judge separately and finally adding all three judge's averaged scores together.

Each dressage competition should have three judges. One remaining in the center of the ring, and one to each side.

Moves- Moves will be judged in the following manner and cannot be scripted:

 1. Prancing in a straight line, forward motion for a predetermined set distance of 10 meters.

2.Prancing backwards in a straight line, for a distance of 10 meters. 

3. Moving in a circle around a reference point with an even circumference.  (3 continuous laps)

4. Moving in a figure eight with the circles circumferences of each one being even.  (3 continuous laps)

5. Moving on a Slalom course moving in between pylons as tightly as possible. (1 pass in each direction with no stops)

A note card will be given to each trainer at the start of the event with the course order, picked at random.  At the end of the event the trainer will lead the pony to the center of the course and present  to the judges.