New BD tests

[Sarah]

hello!

During a lunchtime browse, i saw that BD have set up a new set of dressage tests for this year, details on http://www.britishdressage.co.uk .

My question is, the spiel above the list says that there are some new tests and some have been reworded slightly. Does this mean if you have an old version of a test it is still ok, or do we have to fork out for a full set? I know they are only 30p each, but all the same....

bye!

[intouch]

Thanks for that info & link, Sarah, bit of a bummer when everyone has just learned the old ones!

[Sarah]

That's what I thought too!

[KarlR]

I have just bought a full set of the nice laminated ones, which were a lot more than 30p each.

If I could get those individually to complete my set then I would, but I don't fancy paying another £15-£20 for a complete set!

[Kerry's Partner!!]

Should I give up?? I looked at the site and it talks about three groups of sets - one of which is for the young horse. What about the "new" mature horse and rider or is it sooo much easier for us than for the young ones, when I thought it might just be a tad more difficult???

[belle]

Where can you buy a whole set of the tests from?

[Sarah]

Sandra,

You are right, how come young horses get their own test and the rest of us have to muddle along with other ones. Mind you, the young horse test may be more taxing than prelim and novice, i don't know. I do like the idea of a special set of tests for 'mature' horses and riders. Would these start with trot in at A, halt at X, salute and swig from hipflask, carry on in any pace you fancy. I'm all for that!

Belle,

you can order dressage test from British Dressage (order on their website). The new test sheets don't seem to be included on the standard order form at the mo, hopefully this will change soon!

Sarah

[Kerry's Partner!!]

Wow Sarah!

Can I have a good, full-bodied red in mine please - or some Bailey's?

Sandra

[KarlR]

Sarah - I fully agree. No need to change any of the existing tests. Just a minor note to say that over 30's should always stop and swig whenever they pass over the centre line would suffice :)

[Sarah Rees]

Karlr

You can get the new tests only in the laminatated format from Morgan Equine. They cost about £8.

Sarah

[KarlR]

Thanks Sarah R. Do you have any contact info?

[Lgd]

Sandra and Sarah

Have you seen the young horse tests!

The 5 year old test is approx Elementary level and the 6 year old is top end of Elementary - lower end of Medium level. The National tests are slightly easier than the International ones but not by much.

[LindaAd]

My instructor says that some of the new tests are the old tests with different numbers! I've just ordered all the prelims from the BD website (well, you can't actually order from the website, you have to post a cheque); it cost me £2.80 in total, plus the cost of the stamp - well worth it. (That's the ordinary paper kind though, not laminated).

[larri]

Have any of you looked into their dressage tests??

[Kerry's Partner!!]

NO, I haven't. My reply was in relation to the topic I vented my feelings about.

Welcome back - where have you been? Would you be interested in another Central South New Riders Meet? Hope everything is OK with you.

Sandra

[intouch]

Yes, I have copies of CRC tests, they are user friendly, the beginners test doesn't even have canter. Ideal for beginner horses or riders. I'm hoping to run a competition using them in May, where I work. You don't have to give places, just let every one do their best and get their judges report. It's not judged on paces either, so a small fat hairy pony can compete on a level with a warmblood. You don't have to be a member to buy the tests.

[Jane.A]

Hi
I too was in a flap about the new tests, partic. as some such as Novice 25 were only issued last year. It appears however acc. to an article in BD magazine that they have just re-numbered, and altered wording from 'show a few lengthened strides' to ' medium trot'. I ran an affiliated riding club dressage competition yesterday and my friend who has been affiliated to BD for some time brought the issue of the magazine in which it was explained. Its a nightmare for organisers when you have just stocked up on all the judges sheets!!
A big sign that the left hand and right hand don't understand it was that when I rang BD to order the 'new' tests (laminated) for myself the lady there didn't know what the changes were, oh and the tests are not in stock, and the changes don't come into force till March!! Confused yet? I will ring my friend and get her to fax me the page thru' so I can trype it all out for you guys too.

[Tina J]

Just had a quick look at the BD site (thanks Sarah) and the list of tests that will be in use from March. Jane A - Novice 25 isn't even on the list for use from March! Did they issue a new one that I didn't notice last year (didn't compete last year so didn't pay much attention) that they have now withdrawn, or did you type the wrong number?

Isn't it annoying when bozos decide to tweak something that doesn't need tweaking?!

[belle]

Where do you get the classical riding club tests from?

[larri]

Classical Riding Club
CRC Office
Eden Hall
Kelso
Roxburghshire
TD5 7QD

[Sarah]

hello!

Just to 'clarify' whether we need to buy the new tests or not i emailed BD to aske the question and got this reply:

"Thanks for your email. Some of the numbers on the tests are changing slightly, I am not sure what the changes are it could be terminology or movement changes, so it might be better if you purchase the new tests."

Hmm, look like they don't know really if we need to fork out for new tests or not!

bye!

[Lgd]

I've ordered a full set of the new tests so when they arrive I'll try and work out what the changes are and let folk know. It might make life a bit cheaper for you.

[Jane.A]

Right guys here goes..... the new tests are numbered as follows with the old test number in brackets...
Prelim tests: 4(was 6), 7(was 2), 10 stays same,16 same, 17(was 12), 18 same.
Prelim 14 withdrawn.
Novice tests: 21, 23, 24 all same;29 (was 31), 32,33 same: 36(was 25), 39 same.
Novice 27,30,37 withdrawn.

For those of you who have reached the higher levels, ( green with envy.... ) the details were in the last edition (not the current) of the BD magazine. Hope this helps.

[Lgd]

Some of the wording has been changed even in tests that have been kept so be careful with old sheets, particularly Novice where it asked for progressive lengthening - this has definitely been changed. I believe the wording will now be ' show a few strides of medium trot'. The higher level tests appear to be less affected, particularly once you get past Elementary. All the FEI tests have been changed as well - groan, now I have to learn the PSG again! Don't get too envious of higher level tests - there is just more movements - ie more to get wrong!

[Jane.A]

My new tests arrived this morning. The info I gave you all was correct about some of the tests just being re-numbered. The idea being that the higher the number the harder the test, hence the old novice 25 was moved up considerably as it was quite a difficult test compared to the relatively easy Nov.21.
The only BIG change was to prelim 4, this is basically the old prelim 6 except the canter circle has been moved from A to B, so its now in the centre and the same on the other rein.
The novice tests that have been re-numbered have simple changes, 'lengthen strides' is now 'medium trot' or 'medium canter' depending on which pace you are in. Hope this helps and saves people from unneccessary expense.

[Lgd]

Got all the tests yesterday so I've compared them all.
Prelim 4 = new; Prelim7 similar to old P2, slight change in wording on movement 2 - add working trot round the arena to A; P10 & P16 nochanges; P17 is old P12; P18 no changes.

Novice: Anywhere it says lengthened stirdes in trot or canter change it to show some medium strides.
N21, N23, N24, N32, N33 otherwise unchanged.
N29 is the old N31 test. N36 is similar to the old N25 test but there are changes - you will need a new test sheet. N39 - couldn't find my old sheet so sorry you will need to check for yourself!
Freestyle test is now in a 20 x 60m arena, time increased to min 4 ½mins, max 5 mins

Elementary: E41, E44 - no changes. E47 similar to old 50 test but there are significant changes - new sheet needed. E53 is similar to old 52 test but again changes mean new sheet needed. E54 and E56 - no changes. E57 similar to 46 but quite a few changes - need new sheet. E freestyle - same changes as Novice test.

Medium: M61 - similar to old 65 but movements added - need new sheet. M63 - no changes. M68 overall similar but mark allocationa nd movement allocations changed - probably better to get new sheet. M71 no changes. M73 - need new sheet. M74 & 75 - no changes. M freestyle collected trot and canter now separate marks from half passes therefore 20 more marks for technical section. Artisitic marks also increased by 20.

Advanced Medium: AM83 - lost sheet so neeed to check for yourself. AM86 - test similar but changes in mark allocations. AM89 - need new sheet. AM94 - new sheet needed. AM95 & 98 no changes. AM freestyle - changes as for medium freestyle.

Advanced & FEI tests: A100, A102, A105 - no changes. A106 same as old PSG 106 - title just changed to advanced.
PSG2000 same apart from final halt now at X instead of I.
PSG freestyle - coefficient of 2 put on both trot half passes. States at bottom of sheet thet travers and renvers allowed.
InterI - new test; Inter II - 2001 test still current; Inter I & II freestyles - new marks scheme. GP & GP special - new tests. GP freestyle unchanged.

Hope that helps. Please add if you notice any changes that I missed.

[Petra]

Thanks a lot. That's been extremely helpful!