EQUITATION WELCOME AND NOVICE

Text | Tana Scott

In this article, we will look into the first two levels of Equitation and what each level expects from the rider as well as the different types of exercises and movements that can be found in the tests at each level. Similarly to dressage and showjumping, Equitation can be separated into Graded and Ungraded classes. When a rider is competing at the Ungraded level, they can ride the same tests as Graded riders, win prizes, and be judged by the Equitation judges; however, they cannot earn points or compete in South African Championships for an Equitation team. Graded riders, on the other hand, can win prizes, get grading points on their profiles and be chosen to represent their province in an Equitation Team at the South African Championships. Each level in Equitation can be ridden Graded or Ungraded, except for the Welcome level, which is always ridden Ungraded.

Welcome Level

This is the lowest level that one may ride in non-SANESA Equitation shows. This is the level where all the top Equitation riders began their careers. It is a great level to illustrate exactly what is expected of an Equitation rider and is an excellent introduction to Equitation generally.

This level consists of basic movements, transitions, and courses where the riders can put their skills to the test and gain a good feel for what’s ahead of them in the Equitation discipline.

Each test in Equitation is divided into parts. A Welcome test consists of two parts, part one is the flatwork part of the test, and part two is the jumping part of the test.

Part 1

The transitions that one can expect to see in a Welcome test are: walk to halt, walk to trot and trot to walk, trot to canter and the reverse, and canter back down into the trot. All the movements are to be ridden consecutively. Once the rider enters the arena, they are asked to stop and raise their hand at the spot from which they would like to start. From there, the announcer will read out the test as per the written test, and the rider will begin their test.

The types of movements that one can expect in a Welcome test Part 1 are as follows:

• Trotting poles

• Canter poles

• Trotting poles on a curve

• Cantering one jump on a circular track (2 efforts)

• A gymnastic of a placing pole, a cross, and one stride to a vertical

Part 2

The course of a Welcome test, like every other Equitation test, consists of 8-10 numbered fences, all of equal height, which are set at 80cm for horses and 60cm for ponies. In this course, which is ridden directly after Part 1, the rider can expect to ride related distances, combinations and fences such as oxers and verticals. In Part 2, the judges will assess and comment on the following:

• The rhythm of the canter

• The track and use of the arena

• The accuracy of the rider in riding the correct distances to each of the fences

• The position the rider has both over the jumps and throughout the rest of the course.

Throughout the course, if the rider knocks a pole off the fence, they will be given four penalties, just like the showjumping rule. If the rider makes an error in the course, the rider will be given two penalties. Once the rider has completed the whole course, the test is seen as finished, and the judges proceed to give their scores for Part 1 and Part 2, respectively.

Novice Level

After one has competed in the Welcome level or is comfortable and confident enough to enter the next level, they will enter the Novice level. This is the second level in Equitation, and the rider will notice an increase in technicality and difficulty. The judges will be looking for balance and functionality of the rider’s position, and the tests should be planned so that they flow seamlessly. The heights of the fences increase, and the judges expect to see an improvement in the riding and accuracy of the rider throughout the test.

Part 1

Part 1 of the Novice tests should be ridden smoothly as per the plan decided on in the course walk. The judges will be looking for a bit more control and effectiveness of the rider and an overall smooth round for the horse and rider combination. The Novice tests are expected to test the rider’s capability through more difficult and carefully chosen exercises, allowing the rider to showcase their skills to the judges The types of movements that one can expect in a Novice test Part 1 are as follows:

• Trotting a figure 8 over trotting poles

• Cantering two poles on a circle, changing rein through the circle and then cantering the same two poles in the opposite direction

• Trotting poles on a circle followed by a straight line and a circle over another pole in the opposite direction

• Cantering one jump on a figure 8 track (three efforts)

• Jumping verticals on a related distance

• A gymnastic of a bounce, one stride to a vertical and two strides to a vertical

• Cantering jumps set at right angles.

If these movements are ridden correctly, and the horse and rider’s skills are showcased in an effective and stylish way, the rider’s score will be boosted significantly, as these movements tend to be the most complicated elements of Part 1 of the test.

Part 2

Like in the Welcome level, Part 2 is ridden directly after Part 1 and expects the rider to plan their last movement of Part 1 to flow smoothly into Part 2 of the test. This will show the judge that the test has been well planned and that the rider has put in the effort behind the scenes to improve the overall performance of the test. In this part of the test, similar to the Welcome level tests, the course will consist of verticals, oxers, related distances and combinations. Whilst the rider is jumping the course, the judges will assess and comment on the following:

• The rhythm of the canter

• The track and use of the arena

• The accuracy of the rider in riding the correct distances to each of the fences

• The position the rider has both over the jumps and throughout the rest of the course.

Next time

Both the Welcome and Novice levels are good foundation levels and give riders a taste of what is to come in their Equitation careers. Each level of Equitation requires an extra level of skill from the horse and rider combination. In the next article, we will discuss the two top levels in Equitation, Intermediate and Open.