[DianneEJ]

How about a discussion on the positive changes? I am a first level rider, working very, very hard to begin Second/1 in the spring of 2011. I love the new First/3 test and believe that the leg yield- to 10m figure 8- to leg yield will flow much better than the original movements in first/4. Also, at first I agreed with other discussions that posting should not be optional at first level, until I really thought about it. As others have discussed, sitting is really only required at 2nd level when collection begins. Also, I think the changes to the collective marks will help those of us with accurate tests but not big gaits. So, those are my positive comments. Any others out there? Let's start a fun discussion

[CHT]

I am not a big fan of the 10 meter figure 8 thing. I think it will be hard to do well and do properly at that level...hard for a horse to change its bend that quickly/much while in a working trot on a 10 meter to 10 meter circle.

I think that the training level tests are good for training level riders on well schooled/balanced horses, but feel it will be more trying for the green horses that need more time to balance after a canter.

But you wanted positives.

I do like the more specific directives, and the new broken out/down collective marks. And I like that there are only three tests per level...less memorizing for me!

I like the posting trot being allowed for first level. I think that will help riders maintain a more forward trot rather than holding their horse together to try to sit the trot.

[ram10]

I like the 3 tests for each level. 4 is too many for the lower levels. And different numbers for each level is confusing.

Posting at 1st level is good as there is no collection.

Beyond that, haven't really looked closely at the tests.

[NOMIOMI1]

I like the 3 tests for each level. 4 is too many for the lower levels. And different numbers for each level is confusing.

Posting at 1st level is good as there is no collection.

Beyond that, haven't really looked closely at the tests.

Ditto

Posting at first I think will help people stay forward into collection and breach the gap, rather than try working trot sitting to a more collected trot sitting (which is a nightmare to me).

[Liz]

Where did you see the tests? I went on the USEF website but only saw the 2007 tests.

[SaddleFitterVA]

They are in red, right below (or above?) the 2007 tests.

[WBLover]

You have to click on the link that says 2007 tests first, then you will see both the 2007 and 2010 tests. I'm very much for the 3 tests per level, I think 4 tests was overkill. Less to memorize!!

And although I haven't shown 1st level yet, I'm sure I'll appreciate the option to post the trot, depending on how well I am doing at that point. You can still sit the trot if you want to, so that's positive for those who feel you should be sitting at 1st level.

Plus, I get bored doing the same things for too long, so I was very done with the old TL tests!!

[doccer]

I am not a big fan of the 10 meter figure 8 thing. I think it will be hard to do well and do properly at that level...hard for a horse to change its bend that quickly/much while in a working trot on a 10 meter to 10 meter circle.

its why its called a dressage 'test'. The people that are well schooled and ready to move up to 2nd will not have issues. I REALLY like the flt3 test excited to ride it!

I agree with you about the old rider co-efficients being broken down... fabulous!

and the posting/sitting thing who cares... if you're moving up to second, sit the trot... if you moving up FROM training level, post. who cares...

[asb_own_me]

You have to click on the link that says 2007 tests first, then you will see both the 2007 and 2010 tests.

Would you please post a link? I'm having trouble finding this!

[doccer]

Would you please post a link? I'm having trouble finding this!

are you a usef member? you need to be able to login. If you're not logged in you wont get the 2011 tests. Go thru the steps so you get a name and password (it'll take 5-10min)... but its FREE to get a name and password (it'll say that you can pay for ur usef card later, something like that).

I'm in canada and it let my sign up for free

[ACP]

Positive things.....Okay, I like

three tests per level, less to learn

stretchy circle for all of training

option to post at first level

fewer tests to schedule for organizers

change in collective remarks - even though our horse has really good gaits, it is right at the lower levels to focus on correct basics

more detailed directives

training level didn't change THAT much, I would really have liked to see a bit more change, at least swap all the lefts and rights, so things rode the other direction first, or something, but that is a minor point

I have not looked at 2nd or 3rd or 4th that much, I'd like to be able to order a CD with a demo ride of each test.

And I wish USDF would go back to having a couple of walk/trot tests AND a couple of tests where you canter, for very green horses/starting riders.

[Janet]

Would you please post a link? I'm having trouble finding this!

First you have to login on the USEF web site.

Then scroll all the way to the bottom for

Other Options 2007 Dressage Test Score Sheets[SIZE=2] (Effective December 1, 2006 until November 30, 2010)[/SIZE]

Here is the direct link
https://www.usef.org/_AUAIFrames/Dre...t/Default.aspx
But I don't think it will work if you are not logged in.

[Elatu]

http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest1.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest2.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest3.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest1.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest2.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest3.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest2.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest3.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest1.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest2.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest3.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest1.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest2.pdf
http://www.usef.org/documents/discip...levelTest3.pdf

[WBLover]

Great job and thanks for posting that Elatu, but you are missing the Second Level Test 1 link.

[GimmeQs]

Is there a site where they discuss why the changes were made? I'm not against them, just interested in the rational.

[PiaffePlease]

thanks for posting those Elatu!

[ACP]

Is there a site where they discuss why the changes were made? I'm not against them, just interested in the rational.

That would be so nice! I guess they think it is a can of worms they don't want to open.

[flshgordon]

Honestly I don't think there are many positives at 2nd level and below. The changes to training are going to make it harder for newbies to "try out" at a show and the patterns in test 1 don't flow at all.

The first level 3 looks ick to me, I'm glad I won't have to mess with that weird figure 8/leg yield mess. I also thought one of the biggest "complaints" about the current 1st 4 was that it has too much canter (it is quite a bit of canter!) but the canter is exactly the same in the new test it just stops a 1/4 of a diag earlier at C instead of I.

2nd level took out the simple changes on a serpentine....WHY? That was such a helpful teaching tool IMO.

All the "positives" I have heard of from fellow riders are in the 3rd/4th/PSG areas and I won't be trying any of those soon.

Not impressed with the changes personally.

[TeamWahlen]

I am excited that the half pirouettes have been changed to be worded "working" pirouettes. I think that will help clear things up in the upper USDF levels as you make the jump into the FEI tour. It always confused me how you were suddenly supposed to be able to do a real canter half-pirouette right off the bat! definitely my favorite change that I have seen so far (not that I have looked very closely!)

How have the collected remarks been changed again? I read about it somewhere when they had the committee but I haven't really had an indepth look at the 2011 tests.

[amastrike]

I am SO EXCITED that posting is now an option at First Level. I'd like to be able to ride a First test once before my horse is too old for it, and his trot is like a damn pogo stick; until showing bareback is an option, I can't sit his working trot.