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United States Refined Horsemanship
Association
Versatility Competition
Revised 2009-
Nov-21
Classes are
designed to
promote the
developing and competing of
horses who are willing partners... prepared for life...refined in their
responsiveness and confident of their abilities...in and out of the arena.
Versatility
Classes
Competition is offered for the following divisions:
Sport Horses, Stock Horses and Soft-Gaited Horses.
Shows may offer classes to one or all divisions.
Exhibitors should check show listing, on calendar page, to see
divisions and classes offered.
Riders may enter more than
one Versatility class (e.g. SHV Two-Phase and In-Hand Obstacle Class) at the
discretion of show management.
If cross entering is permitted, it is suggested that each obstacle course
have modifications.
Within each of the
divisions, Sport Horse, Stock Horse and Soft-Gaited Horse, the same type of
classes will be offered. For
example, there will be a Sport Horse Two-Phase, a Stock Horse Two-Phase and
a Soft-Gaited Horse Two-Phase.
SHV Two-Phase
consists of two phases:
a Refined Riding Phase and
an Obstacle Phase.
Refined Riding Phase
The Refined Riding phase
is a ridden test appropriate to the horse’s current state of development. It
is designed to showcase refinement in communication between horse and rider,
resulting in a display of a high degree of collection. It is this
development of collection that allows the horse to perform movements of
significant difficulty with ease while expressing confidence and joy.
Refined Riding Phase will
be a dressage test from a nationally recognized equestrian association. A
show may elect to allow competitors to ride a ‘Test of Choice’ or follow SHV
recommendations. Check show
entry form for tests offered.
When multiple judges are
officiating at a show, it is recommended that the show organizer select
certain dressage tests for SHV competition in order to allow for all riders
to compete under the same judge.
Obstacle
Phase
The Obstacle Phase is to show
the rider’s ability to direct the horse through a series of obstacles
designed to highlight the horse’s willingness and readiness.
The obstacle course will consist of 6-9
obstacles that can include functional tasks from the following list:
|
Stand to be mounted from a block or similar object |
Walk over a bridge |
|
Walk onto a bridge, stop and stand with
a loose rein before walking off |
Walk/trot over poles |
|
Walk over a foreign surface, e.g. tarp, brush, etc. |
Open/close a gate |
|
Back through and around objects, e.g. poles, cones, barrels,
etc. |
Turn in a small space, e.g. a small box created with poles |
|
Pick up and carrying an object from one location to
another |
Weave thru's, e.g. cones, barrels, etc. |
|
Sidepass, can include sidepass over a pole |
Water obstacle |
|
Stop at a precise point |
Put on a rain slicker or coat |
|
Put a specified hoof in a particular
place, e.g. over a pole, in the center of a
circle, on an 'X' or target
|
Narrow corridors - rider must pass through a narrow corridor
Walk through a maze of poles |
SHV Suitability Classes
This is a two phase test
comprised of Rideability Phase (similar to an under saddle class on the
flat) and an Obstacle Phase which is an obstacle course. See SHV
Obstacle Phase for more detail. Two classes will be offered:
Class
1 will exhibit at a walk and trot only.
Class
2 will exhibit at a walk, trot and canter.
In the Rideability Phase,
riders will collectively present their horses at the specified gaits.
Judging will be on general way of going, smoothness of transitions, manners
and quietness. Riders may be asked to individually rein back or
perform simple movements.
These classes are designed
for horses in the initial stages of refined development.
An emphasis will be placed on horse working in a biomechanically
correct manner. Horse should
exhibit a forward, stretching frame with a subtle softening of the jaw and
poll. Horses ridden behind the
vertical, short in the neck and stiff in the jaw will be penalized
accordingly.
SHV In-Hand Obstacle Class
Exhibitors will show their
horses in-hand over 6-9 obstacles at a walk and trot.
Exhibitors may be asked lead their horse from the left or right side.
Exhibitors may use a leather, nylon or rope halter.
No stud chains. Obstacles
will be the same as in the Obstacle Phase of SHV Two-Phase with the
exception of mounting.
Obstacle Course Inspection
Competitors may inspect
the obstacle course, on foot, prior to the beginning of the obstacle
judging, during a specified time period, in which the course arena will be
open. Course walk time will be posted by the obstacle pattern board near the
obstacle course in gate.
Obstacle Course Schooling
At the discretion of show
management, the obstacle course can be opened for schooling, to competitors
and interested riders, after the last judged ride. This is to give riders
the opportunity for further practice or “get their feet wet” by trying it
for the first time.
Scoring
The emphasis, at the
Introductory Level, is the
correctness of the foundation of a harmonious, refined partnership.
With a correct foundation, the horse will develop into a willing
partner who is confident, calm, capable and dependable in all areas of life.
The scoring for both the
Refined Riding Phase, Obstacle Phase
and In-Hand
Obstacle Class will use the current USDF scale of 0-10 with 10 being
the highest mark.
SHV Two-Phase
- Total points from the Refined Riding Phase and
the
Obstacle Phase will be
combined for the final placement in the competition.
In
the
Refined Riding
Phase, the scoring will primarily follow the guidelines set
forth in the USDF rules for dressage.
Any exceptions will be noted.
In
the
Obstacle Phase,
the obstacles are marked individually with collective marks at the end.
SHV Suitability Class
– Total points from the Rideability Phase and the
Obstacle Phase will be
combined for the final placement in the competition.
In
the
Rideability Phase,
riders will be given a separate score for work on the rail and for
additional movements that are performed.
In
the
Obstacle Phase,
obstacles are marked individually with collective marks at the end.
In-Hand Obstacle Class
- The obstacles are marked individually with collective marks at the end.
Obstacle
Phase Collective Marks will be as
follows:
Rider (Handler
in an In-Hand
class) – leading
intention, clarity and effective application of the aids, supportive manner,
use of hands.
Refinement –
confidence, willingness, responsiveness, softness, comprehension of aids.
Harmonious acceptance of the aids – relaxation of mouth and tail, use of ears, facial expression.
Presentation –
overall smoothness of working through obstacles and transitions between
obstacles, turn-out.
Faults/Errors
It is considered a fault when
the horse hits a pole.
Care should be taken to avoid this.
It is considered an error to circle an
obstacle.
This will incur a -2 deducted from the
total score for each occurrence.
Circling in front of an obstacle will be
considered a refusal (see below).
The use of voice is considered a fault.
Refusals – Obstacle Phase
Refusals or other
resistances to working the obstacle, on the part of the horse, will be taken
in context. It is the intent of
the judging to encourage refined and supportive riding/handling on the part
of the rider over promptness of working an obstacle if it is at the expense
of the emotional and physical well-being of the horse.
It
is at the judge’s discretion how long a horse should be allowed to work at
an obstacle. Generally after
three refusals or for safety concerns, the judge may ask for the rider to
move to the next obstacle.
If this happens, horse will receive a “0” for
that obstacle.
A
horse will not be eliminated for failing to work an obstacle before being
asked to move on by the judge.
However, the obstacle must be presented to the
horse in an attempt to build the ‘try’ in the horse.
Failure to do so will result in elimination.
If a horse is presented at an
obstacle but never begins the task at hand, the score for that obstacle will
start at ‘0.’
It is at the judge’s discretion if any points
should be awarded for the quality of the leadership and support offered
forth by the rider.
Judge will encourage rider to
leave refused obstacle on a ‘forward try’ from the horse.
Leaving an obstacle with the horse thinking
backwards is detrimental to the development of the horse.
Upon completion of the course, at
Introductory Level, if time allows, judge
may assist rider in completing missed obstacles in order to, again, leave
horse in a ‘positive mental place.’
This is at the discretion of the show
management and judge.
Additional
Notes on Obstacle Scoring
For ease of language, from here on, the term rider will be interchangeable with
handler (In-Hand exhibitor).In the Obstacle Phase, the
scoring will reflect the horse’s ability to negotiate obstacles in a clean,
correct, smooth and prompt manner.
Fundamental qualities that
a rider should seek to build in the horse:
‘Try’ – the
desire of the horse to work with and trust that the rider will support and
provide fair and adequate direction.
This is especially important in challenging moments.
A horse who chooses to balk, bolt, rear and buck or display other
defensive behaviors is not exhibiting ‘try.’
Confidence
- the belief a horse has that he can do anything that is asked of him.
Calmness
– the state of being in which the horse views life in a positive, relaxed
and confident manner.
Direction from the rider
is essential to building try or discouraging it.
For example, in a moment when the
horse is scared of an obstacle, the rider needs to encourage the horse to
think ‘forward’ to the spooky object and release the aids in that moment.
This will build try. For
the rider to apply aids until the horse becomes backward thinking and more
resistant is counterproductive to building try.
Scoring will favor riders
who support their horses in moments when the horse is afraid, unsure of the
situation or lacking in understanding over riders who make or force their
horses in attempting to work an obstacle.
The idea is to encourage
and build the harmonious teamwork of the horse and rider with an eye to the
future of the partnership and not with shortsightedness that only sees the ‘doingness’
of today.
The ideal is a horse who
negotiates an obstacle promptly, cleanly and smoothly with biomechanical
correctness appropriate for that SHV level of refinement.
Saluting
In all classes, exhibitor should
wait for the judge to indicate that she/he is ready before beginning
competitive round.
This indication may be a verbal or in the
sound of a bell, etc.
SHV Two-Phase class - Obstacle
Phase
Course layout may require
riders to enter the competitive arena mounted or unmounted.
Regardless, rider should salute the judge
at the entrance of the competitive arena prior to starting on course.
Salute should be similar to that of a dressage salute.
A final halt and salute should be made after the last
obstacle.
Handler should salute the judge at the entrance of
the competitive area prior to starting on course.
Salute should be similar to that
of a dressage salute.
Handler should place all of the lead
shank/rope in the hand closest to the horse.
The free hand should be used for the salute.
A final halt and salute should be
made after the last obstacle.
SHV Suitability Class – Obstacle Phase
Course layout may require
riders to enter the competitive arena mounted or un-mounted.
Regardless, rider should salute the judge
at the entrance of the competitive arena prior to starting on course.
Salute should be similar to that
of a dressage salute.
A final halt and salute should be made after
the last obstacle.
Mounting
It is extremely important
that a rider works to have horse’s focus before mounting.
It is dangerous to get on a horse who is
not focused on the rider.
Horse should stand quietly to
allow rider to pick up stirrups and reins.
Gathering the reins should NOT be the signal
to go.
Reins should be off the horse’s head anytime the horse
is being lead.
Judges
Attire
Schooling show - neat and tidy
schooling attire is acceptable. Approved helmet and boots, with riding
heel, are mandatory when riding.
Gloves are optional.
Dress
appropriately for the weather. In extreme cold or heat, dress for
comfort.
In the
In-Hand
classes, slacks are an option instead of breeches.
Helmet and gloves are optional.
