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Julie Alonzo, former President of WE United, competes at the Intermediate level. In the photo she is riding Hilandero X, P.R.E. Andalusian Stallion.
“For example,” he continued, “in the Parallel Post Slalom, I might usually have eight strides between each lead change. In Speed, I might instead ask my horse to lengthen his stride a little bit, maybe seven strides instead of eight in between each flying change. It is also important to think about the lines between obstacles. By planning a more direct route, straighter lines, it is possible to cut many seconds off your ride while still maintaining the quiet quality in the obstacles.”
level competitors are prohibited from cantering, and the obstacles they may be presented with do not require lateral movement or jumping. However, judges still evaluate their performance based on the quality of bend and symmetry / geometry; the straightness, balance, and immobility at halt; the quality with which they perform reinback; and the horse’s overall submission, impulsion, and quality of gaits. Novice A level riders are expected to trot through most of the obstacles but canter between obstacles, while those in Novice B and above are expected to canter both within and between obstacles. Advanced and Master’s level riders must maintain use of a single hand on the reins and may not touch their horse with their free hand (this includes using their free hand to balance on the horse’s neck while jumping).
SPEED AND COW TRIALS
Unlike the Dressage and Ease of Handling trials, the Speed and Cow trials are timed rather than judged, per se. Many people just starting out in the sport are nervous about adding the element of speed. Pedro Torres, many times world champion in the sport offers some great advice to ensure that the introduction of the speed trial doesn’t harm the overall training of the horse.
“It is important to maintain the quality and smoothness with which you perform the obstacles. Do not rush your horse through the obstacles and risk the introduction of tension,” Torres advised. “Instead, practice extending your canter between obstacles, returning to a relaxed, quality performance within the obstacle. In this way, the obstacle remains a place of relaxation for the horse, yet you can move quickly around the course if your horse is accustomed to extending and collecting the gaits.”
“For example,” he continued, “in the Parallel Post Slalom, I might usually have eight strides between each lead change. In Speed, I might instead ask my horse to lengthen his stride a little bit, maybe seven strides instead of eight in between each flying change. It is also important to think about the lines between obstacles. By planning a more direct route, straighter lines, it is possible to cut many seconds off your ride while still maintaining the quiet quality in the obstacles.”
Mark Mason and Quarter Horse mare Shannon's Gold Remedy, Novice A level Ease of Handling trial.
Photo courtesy of Michael T. Photography