Versatility

...the culmination of refined riding is in the expression of harmony and softness. L.Hoover

Dawn Weniger, USDF Gold Medalist, and Don Derrick, 3 year old Dutch Riding Horse

...I work to build curiosity and interest in the horse, not fear. L.Hoover

Walking across the bridge

...A partnership is two minds with a single thought. L. Hoover

Backing through the barrels.

A 'Moo-ving Dressage Experience' (TM) ... Sue Smithson in Cow Working 101

Sport Horse Versatility is more than a competition ...it's about life, in and out of the ring...it's about expanding the options you have with your horse. Read on.

The day dawns cool and crisp. A perfect morning for a ride. You and a friend have made plans to do just that. After catching your horse easily from his paddock, you make your way to the horse trailer. With a little direction and a toss of the lead rope over the horse’s neck, he steps promptly into the trailer.

Upon arriving at your friend’s, your horse backs readily off the trailer. While you groom and saddle, he stands tied to the trailer lightly dozing before the day’s activity. With no mounting block in sight, you find a tree stump. As you climb onto the stump, your horse side steps over into position for you to get on.

You join your friend and the two of you head towards a gate leaving the farm. Opening the gate is no challenge as your horse positions you to easily to undo the latch and move through it. You smile to yourself as you remember that not long ago one of you would have had to get off to open the gate. Now you never even have to let go of the gate while you open and close it.

After picking up a trot, you follow the trail to a water crossing where both horses willingly slip across without missing a beat. The trail opens to a section that invites a canter. Your horse canters quietly behind the other horse while staying light in your hand.

At the top of a hill, you stop to let the horses catch their breath. They stand quietly on a loose rein while you chat with your friend about how light and responsive your horse is in and out of the ring.

On your drive home, you reflect over the ride. You tell yourself ‘not bad for a horse who was champion and high score ride at the recognized dressage show last weekend.

Sport Horse Versatility™ is about creating and competing horses who are willing partners…prepared for life and refined in their responsiveness and skills.

Are you ready?

Sport Horse Versatility™ is a concept with benefits encompassing: Breeders, Riders, Trainers, Horses and the Industry as a whole.

Are you ready?

Sport Horse Versatility™ offers both competition and education.

Competition currently includes two phases which are a Refined Riding Test and the Working Phase consisting of negotiating an obstacle course. Total marks are a composite of the rider's results in each phase.

The overview below gives a general outline for each of two levels of this competition. Some rules may be unique to a specific venue. Please check for these specifics, e.g. Refined Riding Test may be a Dressage 'Test of Choice.'

Introductory Level: This level is designed to build confidence, in the horse and rider, in their ability to work together through a variety of functional tasks.

Refined Riding Test – Suggested: USDF Introductory Dressage Test B

Working Phase*– to work over a course of 6-9 obstacles at a walk and trot only.

Training Level: This level will be slightly more demanding.

Refined Riding Test – Suggested: USEF Training Level Test 3

Working Phase* – to work over a course of 6-9 obstacles at a walk, trot and/or canter.

*Working Phase

The Working 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	Walking over a bridge
Walking onto a bridge, stopping and standing on a loose rein before walking off	Walking/trotting over poles
Walking over a foreign surface, e.g. tarp, brush, etc.	Opening/closing a gate
Backing through and around objects, e.g. poles, cones, barrels, etc.	Turning in a small space, e.g. a small box created with poles
Picking up and carrying an object from one location to another	Weave thru's, e.g. cones, barrels, etc.
Sidepassing, can include sidepassing over a pole	Water obstacle
Stopping at a precise point	Put on a slicker or coat
Putting 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

Are you ready?

Educational Opportunities are made available through clinics and schooling days.

Clinics are a way of introducing you to this exciting new area of competition. Try your hand at the obstacle course and learn more about dealing with real life situations and how this will enhance your riding in and out of the show ring. In addition to presenting an understanding of how to compete in the obstacle phase of Versatility, these clinics will benefit any rider who is interested in developing the horse into a well-rounded, responsive partner. Riders will learn how to present situations to their horses in a way that builds confidence and partnership. From there, skills are developed in working the obstacles.

Schooling Days are an opportunity to test and practice your horsemanship. An obstacle course, similar to a competitive course, will be made available. These are generally open schoolings, with no time limit, in order to allow you to spend time presenting obstacles to your horse and refining your working skills.

Cornerstones, LLC creates clinics that are a true immersion in learning. Solid fundamentals and refined techniques are presented in creative and enjoyable ways. Group interactions offer the chance to observe and learn from others working toward the same end. The working environment is designed to support and develop the horses as they stretch their comfort zones in new and unusual situations.

If you would like to attend or host a clinic, please contact Linda Hoover.

Are you ready for Sport Horse Versatility?