Dressage Suitability

[jumpingpercheron]

I did a search and it didn't come up with anything. So...can you guys explain to me what a Dressage Suitability class exactly is? I mean what the judges will ask for in the class? Thanks!

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

The handful of Suitability classes I've seen (at schooling shows) examined the horses in a group at walk/trot/canter. The judges were looking for the Training Level basics (pure rhythm in the gaits, acceptance of contact, suppleness) as well as willingness. Some asked for lengthenings at the trot and canter, some didn't. Some classes were restriced by age of horse, some were open to all comers.

[jumpingpercheron]

Thank you.

[Dressage Art]

Somebody else asked that earlier, that was my response:
There is very limited information on the USEF and USDF websites about dressage suitability under the saddle. You have to call them and ask to fax you the tests.

However, if you are hosting schooling show and don’t want to call USEF or USDF, you can get similar score sheets from this website: WARNING: it is not the official USEF/USDF score sheets. Those are Canadian score sheets that are readily available to print and they are SIMILAR to the US score sheets.
http://www.dressagecanada.org/DressageTests/DC-Materiale-3-4-MasterScoreSheet.pdf
Those classes are held in the arena several riders, but not too many for safely. Judge is standing in the middle with the scribe and asks them to walk, trot, and canter both directions. If the arena is small, bottom riders are excused and judge proceeds with top riders left. Judge completely disregards riders and their equitation skills, but concentrate on the horse’s purity of the gaits: clear 4 beat walk, clear 3 beat canters with an air suspension phase, clear 2 beat trot with an air suspension phase. Conformation: uphill built, not a straight shoulder, not a low set neck and confirmation of legs as well. General impression: how obedient the horse is and does it look like a “dressage horse” aka soft eye, attentive ears, relaxed tail, soft mouth, swinging back. If there is a tie, ask those riders to do transitions or lengthen the strides and see if horses are stepping under in those (good for further collection). At the end, line them up and judge talks to each of the rider giving his/her final impressions. Award the ribbons right away. Schedule from 15 minutes to 30 minutes slot for that class preferably right before the lunch in case you’ll run over the time. It shouldn’t be a long tiring class – but an upbeat one.

[kfhoz]

I was in a dressage suitability class today. Much to my amazement the judge asked for extensions in all 3 gaits, plus walk to canter transitions. This was in an "A" level USEF show, although this was not a USEF class at the show, so perhaps the judge can ask for anything she wants?

Like the original poster, I can't seem to find a good definition of what to expect. The same show continues on tomorrow, and I am in another dressage suitability class tomorrow, and it is the same judge.

I also would appreciate hearing other rider's experience of these classes.

[Dressage Art]

Judge can ask some of the movements from Training and 1st level. From the horse, judge wants to see the ability to sit on his butt, tuck his butt under him, collect = that can be seen in transitions and also ability to lenghten his steps, vary the length of his steps when asked.

[HenryisBlaisin']

I've ridden in a few and the judge always asked for lengthening and shortening in trot and lengthening in walk. I think there was a walk canter transition as well though most pleasure classes ask for this as well so I really don't remember if I'm mixing up my classes.

The horses that placed weren't necessarily the ones with the big fancy movements but those who were accepting of the aids, soft, and responsive. I remember one show where the class was fairly small-2 QH's and 2 big warmbloods. The QH's both pinned above the WB's for the above reasons-the judge was very impressed with them. (My Henry was second in the class) The comments were along the lines of him being willing to try anything cheerfully and in a relaxed manner. Anyway, I really enjoyed those classes, as they seemed to reward the foundations and even intangibles and not the fancy, expensive horses.