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| Our freestyle at Regionals earned us a 66% |
Geez I am really late to jump on the new USDF Freestyle score rule change debate.
In case you didn't hear:
"A new rule was recently approved by USEF regarding the prerequisite score to ride a freestyle, increasing the score from 60% to 63% at the highest test of the level (DR 129.9). This change goes into affect 12/1/2018 to coincide with the new test cycle.
Over the past few years, the USDF Freestyle and Judges Committees have been discussing the quality of freestyles and the technical proficiency that seemed to be missing in some freestyles. This has also been discussed at the annual convention for the past couple of years. In the spring of 2018, the USDF Freestyle Committee, with the support of the USDF Judges Committee, put forth a proposal to the USDF Executive Board to increase the prerequisite score to 63%.
In reviewing the statistics for 2018, approximately 9% of the riders who rode a freestyle in 2018 will need to re-qualify to ride a freestyle in 2019."
Read the full statement here.
If I wanted to show my 4th level freestyle again this year, I could. I barely squeaked in because I do have a 63% at PSG somewhere. HA! Take that USDF! Didn't keep this shitty freestyle rider out of your ring!! SUCK IT.
I've come across a number of opinions regarding this change. I see all sides.
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| Same freestyle, less mistakes, got a 63% at Nationals. |
On one hand, why limit the number of participants in freestyles? More entries = more money. If the judges have to judge crappy rides, THAT IS THEIR JOB and they can score appropriately. FFS judging a sub-par dressage test is still not the worst job in the world. I can think of a lot of jobs that would suck more.
On the other hand, yes there ARE people showing in freestyles who really aren't quite ready for that level. Or maybe they just have a super average horse that is a 6 on every movement no matter what. Those are the people you are excluding.
What if you can only afford 2 shows a year. And your first show the horse is tight and it isn't your day. People can't afford to keep going to show after show to get their score and then still have to show their freestyle. No, judges should not just give away scores but this is not Europe. Many of us show on OTTBs, draft crosses, ponies, etc. that are not going to get 7s, 8s on gaits all the time. Do you want to include them USDF? Or just push them out? I LIKE dressage, I WANT to spend my money on your sport USDF.
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| Not a big scoring horse but we hold our own |
I think it's sad that so many will be excluded from participating in the Freestyles at rated shows. But, if USDF thinks it is best, what are we doing to do? If I can't qualify, I can't ride the freestyle. And that is that. I had really wanted to try for an I-1 freestyle one day, but it's doubtful I'll get a 63% ever in that test. It's not my fault, and not Hampton's fault. That is the sport. And I have to accept that.
However, many schooling shows do offer freestyles and don't have the qualification rules. So I say start jamming and do a freestyle anyway.
Damn the man, save the empire!!
I love that you ended with an Empire Records quote - it is one of my all time favorite movies!
ReplyDeleteit seems like all across horse sports there's this sort of identity crisis about whether it's better to be more rigorous in standards to maintain the integrity of the sport or whatever, or whether it's better to improve accessibility to the sport. personally, as a rider who doesn't seem particularly likely to reach the highest echelons, i prefer increasing accessibility. so this idea of limiting freestyle entries seems odd to me.
ReplyDeletethe only counter argument i can think of (in my very limited experience) is in show administration. last time i volunteered at a dressage show, i stewarded the warm up area for 2 courts. during the freestyles tho only 1 of those courts could be used, i guess bc the music would be distracting to a rider doing a different test in the next ring? not sure if that's actually a rule or not, but maybe they're thinking shows can run more riders simultaneously if there are fewer freestyles?
I can see it for championship shows and FEI, but your garden variety dressage show? Why make it so hard. Most people I know who want to do freestyles want to do it for FUN. Becasue they like the idea of music and riding. Not because they think that they are going to any big FEI competition.
ReplyDeleteand I agree, judging a test is their job.
As a Canadian (and lower level rider at that), I honestly can't say if Canada has a similar rule, but I know a lot of people who go to non-recognized shows and will say, show First and then do a 2nd Level Freestyle for sake of schooling through the movements but in a 'pattern' that is less demanding for a developing horse and receive some constructive criticism on where they need to polish up on the 2nd level movements. While it's irrelevant to the debate, I have to agree - I can't help but feel like this will discourage the 'average joe' and push people away.
ReplyDeleteLet me start off by saying I love to watch freestyles but have never been interested in riding one. That said, the only thing I don't understand about this whole thing is that freestyles are the ONE piece of this whole sport that are a genuine spectator event and fun to watch. Even Dressage competitors don't like to watch Dressage tests, but they'll race over for a freestyle. WHY ARE WE TRYING TO REDUCE THE ONLY THING THAT BRINGS CASUAL SPECTATORS INTO OUR SPORT? If I show someone a YouTube video of a plain Dressage test they'll fall asleep, but if I pull up a freestyle they love it.
ReplyDeleteI get that freestyles need to be earned, but for an organization that's always talking about how "Dressage is for everyone and every horse" and "how do we increase grass roots involvement" and "how do we get publicity", it's amazing to me that they would take action to reduce the number of freestyles ridden.
I think it's a little petty of USDF to raise minium qualifying scores for freestyles but not for medals, but maybe it's just me. I don't actually show USDF right now and this certainly isn't endearing them to me or making me want to pay $$$$ to show with them. Ya know, don't want to offend the judge with my mediocre riding on my decidedly non-fancy-warmblood 🤷
ReplyDeleteThis particular rule seems a bit silly to me, but I do wish they'd make a rule about the minimum score required before you can move up. I don't mind watching a crappy freestyle (?) but I do get really upset watching people rush their horses up the levels despite critique from judges and coaches alike... because nobody can stop them. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteDespite the head scratching at the rule change I am glad you squeaked in and we get to continue watching you and Hampton do freestyles.
ReplyDelete