The 4 second halt in a test

[Kit]

In my test in the weekend, I counted out the halt for 4 seconds slowly as, one thousand and one, one thousand and two etc. If you look at the clock and count like that you will see that it takes about 8 seconds. One judge gave me a 7 and the other a 5 and commented "not long enough". UGh Frustrating. How do you judge your 4 second halt? I watched my friend who stayed for waaaay longer than 4 seconds and it made her horse sluggish in the move off. Any judges comments would be great thanks!! Surely if you sit there for way too long that is detrimental too?

[Valentina_32926]

I just stop til judge signals me - or if it "feels" too long I just continue on. Perhaps try 5-6 seconds. Sounds like 2nd judge just blinked/didn't notice when you stopped so sppeared to have been too short.

You get comments like that sometimes. I have a judge say - was supposed to be a simple change not a flying change during a test - funny since my mare didn't know flying changes at the time :winkgrin: - my problem was I only performed 1 walk stride between canters instead of the 2-3 walk strides. :o

[Dune]

Never heard of a "timed halt", what is this for? :confused:

[Jeannette, formerly ponygyrl]

I scribed for a judge recently who commented that time passes differently in the saddle than by the clock.

Might be interesting to try the same counting exercise while you have someone else time your halt when you are schooling - you might be speeding up under pressure at the show, or starting to count before you're really settled into the halt - or that one score could be just one assessment of one moment, and yes, maybe the judge blinked or was in her own time warp... ;)

When I count one thousand one one thousand two each count is pretty darn close to one second, fwiw.

[Bogey2]

what test has a 4 second halt? I have only seen 5 seconds on a test.

[Kit]

Different countries have different tests. I count very slowly - exaggeratingly slowly lol. so yes I think one judge might have had her head down seeing the other judge was happy. Thanks for that.

[Petstorejunkie]

I've never moved out of salute til the judge nods

[Bogey2]

I don't think this is the hlt at X we are talking about, surely that has never been timed. You either halt or you don't.;)

[HCF]

I don't think the OP is talking about the initial "X - halt, salute" halt. There are a few tests, for example First 2 and 3, where you halt at A for 5 seconds. However, I have not seen a 4 second halt. I usually just count one thousand one, etc. and have never had a problem!

[Kit]

No, no not the halt, salute at the beginning/end. This is during the test turning right at B and halting for 4 seconds at X side on to the judge in the middle of the test.

[Kit]

Yes Valentina, you have to do the required 2 to 3 strides across the centre line before cantering again. lol it's all those little things that are important.

[rabicon]

Some test call for a halt in the middle of the test, its getting ready for rein backs. ;) I'm still in training level working on 1st but haven't gotten to that yet so I can't help, sorry.

[Alagirl]

count Mississippis? :lol:

Kinda silly, if it specifies x number of seconds, judges need a stopwatch :D so there should not one be with an 8 and one with a 5 and 'too short' or too long or whatever.