Young Horse Test Questions?

[pintopiaffe]

No one seemed to want to really touch this on the Dressage forum... ;)

So, the 4yo YH test is First 1. I LOFF that test, and can *almost* conceive of doing it the fall of a YH's first season under saddle.

My question stems from the ZiZiTop video. Obviously the rider cut off the short end at C repeatedly in order to keep the horse together and forward...

Why is/was this not an error of course? Is there more forgiveness in the YH test than say, in First 1? Is it in the directives or collectives that there is leeway?

I can *completely* see the value in a YH test if you can do something like that and not get run out. Obviously the score would be affected (? I think?) but you could at least do the whole test...

Anyone care to comment?

PS: I know I can find this in the rules, but someone might know and I'm on a sloooow connection... is the year based on actual DOB? Or does it go by Jan. 1?

[siegi b.]

In the young horse test your horse is judged on all three gaits, then submission and finally overall impression. That's it!

I'm sure that the horse in question "paid for" cutting the corner by getting a lower submission score.

P.S.: I just saw that you added another question.... The age of the horse is determined by the year in which is was born.

[Kaluna]

You withdrew it from the dressage forum and changed the name to "DOH, wrong forum". :confused:

Anyway, judges are looking at potential in the young horse tests. Gaits, submission, impression, potential. The horse is often working under saddle for a year or less. These horses aren't likely to top out at first level, either, and that is kept in mind with the training. Judges aren't looking for a perfectly perfect first level test like a drilled adult year old with many years undersaddle might produce.

[risingstarfarm]

I agree with you - the 4 yo test is fantastic :)

Siegi B pretty much nailed it - the concept of the Young Horse program is the development of a dressage horse that is destined to go up the ranks. Accuracy isn't the issue here, it's the quality of gaits, submission and overall impression/potential that are measured.

There have been some problems (imho) with some of the YH judging, but USDF is clearly trying to educate the judges who evaluate the young horse participants - stressing the above categories vs. the traditional scoring of tests.

[pintopiaffe]

I asked on the original thread, with no answer... figured it was because there are more YH folks here. ;) Then thought I was in THIS forum when I started the new thread/question.

I had NO IDEA that's how they worked. Thank you!

[honeylips]

The age year is based on January 1. So all horses born in 2006 are considered to be 4 on January 1, no matter what month they are born for purposes of these classes.

[ElizaS]

Go here: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/2004yhProgram.aspx
And read everything USEF has available there. They really explain it well. Also, before you actually do the test, I would suggest going to a show and watching a few of the YH Classes. If that isn't a possibility, check out some of these videos on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aIveQnUauE - The awesome Karen and Aesthete (aka Stately) who won in 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mNRUH2uNiw - The runner-up in 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn6xtnyuiVE - another one I found on YouTube

I competed in the 4 year old classes on a wonderful stallion in 2008 and went to the Nationals. It was a fantastic experience, and I'm more than happy to answer any specific questions that you might have.