Dressage Prospect Division

ASB 14.0 Dressage Prospect Division For the Dressage Prospects division, horses should exhibit the potential to excel as dressage mounts. Horses that have competed at First level Dressage or above are ineligible for this class. Emphasis is placed on form to function. American Saddlebreds/Half American Saddlebreds suitable for Dressage typically have a higher set-on neck than Hunter types, with adequate length and flexibility of the poll. Movement should be free, elastic, active, and regular, with a good push from behind without tension, and a tendency toward an uphill balance. The objective is to confirm that the horse's muscles are supple and loose, and that it moves freely forward in a clear, steady rhythm, while accepting contact with the bit. The horse should exhibit lightness of the forehand and engagement of the hindquarters. Penalties will be applied for resistance and tension in the horse. The horse's potential as a Dressage mount is paramount. Entries must have full mane and tail, with tails not being altered by any devices on the show grounds. Artificial manes are prohibited, but manes and tails may be braided or secured with thread, yarn, or bands. Decorations such as ribbons are not allowed, though inconspicuously applied hair in the tail is permitted. Professionals may compete in Open classes, and the class is open to stallions, mares, and geldings. However, Juvenile Exhibitors may not show stallions. Tack & Apparel Bridles may be either a Dressage or Hunter-type snaffle bridle with a smooth snaffle bit. The noseband options include a regular cavesson, a drop noseband, a flash noseband, or a figure-eight noseband. Not permitted in competition: martingales of any type, draw reins, mouth controls, artificial appliances, boots, and bandages. Saddles must be either an English Dressage or all-purpose English type saddle. Saddle pads of the Dressage-type are required and should be white or of a conservative color. Riders are required to wear a traditional short riding coat in a conservative color, with either a tie, choker, or stock tie, or an integrated stand-up collar. Breeches should be white or light-colored, or hunter jodhpurs, along with boots or jodhpur boots. Protective headgear is mandatory. A cutaway coat (modified tailcoat) with short tails is permitted. Gloves in a conservative color are recommended. Half chaps, gaiters, and/or leggings are not permitted. Spurs must be made of metal and only English-style spurs are allowed. The shank can be either curved or straight, pointing directly back from the center of the spur on the rider's boot. If the shank is curved, it must be worn with the shank directed downwards, although swan-necked spurs are allowed with the curved shank directed upwards. The inside arm of the spur must be smooth, and one or both arms may have rubber covers. If rowels are used, they must be blunt/smooth and free to rotate. Metal spurs with round hard plastic knobs on the shank are allowed (known as "Impuls" spurs). "Dummy" spurs with no shank are also permitted. The maximum length for spurs is 5.08 inches (2 inches), including rowels. This restriction applies to warm-up and training areas, as well as during competition. Riders may carry one whip no longer than 47.2 inches (120cm), including the lash, in all classes. An adjustable-length whip is not permitted for mounted riders. Gaits and Standards of Judging The walk should have a regular, free, and unconstrained rhythm. The trot should be free, active, and regular, with balanced and elastic steps demonstrating a supple back, suspension, and well-engaged hindquarters. The canter should be light, cadenced, and regular. Trot work should be ridden rising. Horses are placed based on their innate quality of movement, with all gaits being pure in rhythm, without tension or resistance. Transitions should be balanced and without hesitation. During the rein-back, the horse should remain calm and obedient, lifting and setting down its feet without shuffling. When lengthening the stride at the walk, trot, or canter, the horse should maintain rhythm, regularity, and balance while reaching with its frame and stride, with the rider maintaining contact with the bit and allowing the lengthening. The strides should cover more ground, while the horse remains calm and supple.

DRESSAGE CLASSES OFFERED Dressage Suitability This class is open to horses qualified to compete in various class types, including Open, Amateur, Juvenile Exhibitor, Youth, Junior Horse, Stallions, Geldings, and Mares. Horses are required to perform at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions of the ring. They may be asked to lengthen stride at any gait, with transitions into and out of the canter called for through the trot. Horses will also be asked to reverse direction at the trot. Additionally, a free walk on a long rein with the horse stretching forward and down should be performed in at least one direction. During the lineup, horses should stand quietly and may be asked to back at the judge's discretion. Judging is based on 70% for the performance of gaits and transitions, with attention to impulsion and submission, using the specified objectives as reference points. The remaining 30% is allocated to the rider's position, seat, and effective use of aids. HCK: American Hackney Ponies