Glossary of Judging Terms Flashcards
ABDUCT
To move a limb aware from the horse’s midline
ABOVE THE BIT
A head position in which the horse avoids acceptance of the contact by putting the muzzle forward and upward, also usually retracting the poll.
ACCEPTANCE
Used in reference to the horse’s willingness to allow the maintenance of a steady contact, the application o the aids, and/or the placement of the rider’s weight. Absence of evasion or resistance.
ACTIVITY
Energy, vigor, liveliness - especially with reference to the motion of the hind legs.
ADDUCT
To move a limb towards or across the horse’s midline.
AGAINST THE BIT
The horse presses again the bit with a rigid or unyielding neck/poll/jaw.
ALIGNMENT
1.) Referring to the horse, the lining up on the horse’s body parts from tail to poll. One of the four aspects of straightness (the other three are parallelism to line of travel, parallelism to line of reference, and directness of line of travel).
2.) referring to the rider
a. Vertical alignment refers to the side view of the
rider in which the ear, shoulder, hip and heel are
in a vertical line.
b. Lateral alignment refers to the front or rear view
of the rider in which the weight appears to be
evenly distributed on the left and right sides and
the rider’s body does not collapse in the
waistline/core in either direction.
c. Rotational alignment refers to the orientation of
the front of the rider’s body relative to the horse’s
line of travel or line of reference.
See Quadrille Judging Terms in the Quadrille Rules and Guidelines for special application to judging the quadrille.
AMPLITUDE
Magnitude of range of motion. Same as Scope.
BALANCE
Relative distribution of the weight of horse and rider upon the fore and hind legs (longitudinal balance) and the left and right legs (lateral balance). In dressage training, the horse learns to move with the base of support narrowed laterally and shortened longitudinally, which makes the balance less stable but at the same time makes it more mobile (especially the forehand) and susceptible to small external influences (of the rider).
BASICS
The basics form the correct foundation of the progressive training of the horse, independent of the execution of specific test movements. the basics include: pure rhythm with suitable tempo/relaxation/suppleness elasticity/looseness; correct contact/connection; impulsion, straightness, and longitudinal balance suitable to the level and exercise - in other words, all criteria of the Pyramid of Training/Training Scale.
Correctness of the basics is indicated by the preservation and /or improvement in:
- the purity and quality of the gaits and paces
- the gymnastic ability and physique of the horse, &
- the horse’s attitude and rideability
BEAT
Footfall of a hoof or a diagonal pair of hooves that strike the ground virtually simultaneously. The timing of the footfalls determines the rhythm of the stride. The walk has four beats per stride (only two of which are emphasized beats perceived by the rider), the trot has two beats per stride, and the canter has three beats per stride (only one of which is emphasized beat perceived by the rider).
BEHIND THE BIT
An evasion in which the horse retracts or shrinks back from the bit/contact. The head may or may not be behind the vertical.
BEHIND THE LEG
Slow to react to the leg, or sluggish or unwilling to forward, especially while accepting the contact/connection.
BEND
The lateral curved position in which the horse’s body, as would be viewed from above, appears to form a uniform arc from poll to tail. Components of bending include lateral flexion at the poll, stretching of the outer side of the body, lowering of the inner hip, and adduction of the inner hind and outer fore legs (see Flexion for more in-depth discussion of the elements of bending). Examples of faulty bend are: bending only in the neck, bending only at the base of the neck or bent toward the wrong direction.
BIOMECHANICS
The application of the principles and techniques of mechanics (the branch of physics that deals with the motion of material bodies and the phenomena of the action of forces on bodies) to the structure, function and capabilities of living organisms (Webster)
BLOCKED
Impaired in the connection due to sustained muscular contraction, creating rigidity.
BPM
Beats per minute, as may be measured by a metronome.
BRACED/BRACING
The horse defensively setting/ holding its muscles contracted against an opposing force or an expected opposing force, such as the rider’s disturbing
legs, seat or hands.
BROKEN NECKLINE
The position of the neck in which there is excessive longitudinal flexion at the joint between the second and third cervical vertebrae, so that the topline of
the neck does not form an even, smooth arc and the poll is not the highest point of the skeleton.
CADENCE
The marked accentuation of the rhythm and emphasized beat that is a result of a steady and suitable tempo harmonizing with a springy impulsion.
CARRIAGE
The posture of the horse, most easily evaluated when viewing the horse’s profile or outline from the side.
CENTER OF MASS (CENTER OF GRAVITY)
The point at which the mass of the body can be considered to be concentrated, and around which its weight is evenly distributed or balanced. The
horse’s center of mass is located at the 13th or 14th rib and just below the line from the point of the shoulder to the point of the hip. This puts it below
the seat of the saddle. In collection, the horse’s body rotates around the center of mass.
CHEWING THE BIT
The movements of the horse’s mouth—gently and softly mouthing the bit—showing mobility and relaxation of the jaw and causing secretion of saliva
for a “wet mouth.” Not to be confused with snapping, clacking or grinding of the teeth.
CLARITY/CLEAR
The correct rhythm (sequence and timing of the footfalls and phases of a gait). Often-used in relation to maintenance of the correct rhythm of the
gaits before and after a transition.
CLEAN
Referring to a flying change, the change of lead is from a pure canter on one lead to a pure canter on the other lead. A clean flying change takes
place during the suspension phase, without trot steps or disunited strides.
CLOSED HALT
A posture at the halt in which the horse is secure in balance with a shortened base of support achieved by positioning the hind legs forward
underneath the body.
COLLECTION (BALANCE AND LIGHTNESS OF THE FOREHAND FROM INCREASED ENGAGEMENT)
The horse shows collection when he lowers and engages his hindquarters, shortening and narrowing his base of support, resulting in lightness and
mobility of the forehand. He shows shorter, but powerful, cadenced steps and strides. The increased elevation must be the result of and relative to
the lowering of the hindquarters. (See Pyramid of Training for complete explanation)
CONFIDENCE
The boldness and self-assurance with which the horse performs, and the trust in his partnership with the rider.
CONNECTION/CONNECTED
State in which there is no blockage, break, or slack in the circuit that joins horse and rider into a single, harmonious, elastic unit. A prerequisite for
throughness.
CONSTRAINED
Forced or compelled against the will - the horse’s forward or sideways movement, bend, and/or execution of the required exercise not appearing
voluntary.
CONSTRICTED
Limited by constraint, restraint, or sustained muscular contraction. Held together, forcefully shortened, or physically tight.
CONTACT (CONNECTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE BIT THROUGH ACCEPTANCE OF THE AIDS)
The energy generated in the hindquarters by the driving aids must flow through the whole body of the horse and is received in the rider’s hands. The
contact to the bit must be elastic and adjustable, creating fluent interaction between horse and rider with appropriate changes in the horse’s outline.
(See Pyramid of Training for complete explanation).
CORRECTNESS
The straightness of the action of the limbs (e.g., faults would be winging, paddling, twisting hocks). Not the same as Purity. Dressage judges deal
with correctness only indirectly, that is, to the degree that it affects the purity or quality of the gait. Correctness is addressed directly in breeding
classes.
COUNTER CHANGE OF HAND (USEF DEFINITION)
A movement containing two (2) half passes and the horse should be straight for a moment before changing direction.
CROOKEDNESS
Aspects of crookedness:
1. Misalignment of the horse’s body parts from tail to poll (e.g. popped shoulder or twisted neck).
2. On straight or curved lines, lack of parallelism of the horse’s longitudinal axis to the line of travel (, e.g., haunches left or right of centerline or
circle line).
3. In two track/lateral work, lack of parallelism of the horse’s longitudinal axis to the line of reference (e.g., haunches leading or trailing in leg
yielding).
4. Lack of directness of line of travel – the horse deviating or wandering left &/or right of the desired path of travel (e.g., as in weaving).
CROSS-CANTER
The fore and hind legs are on different leads. Same as Disunited.
DEFINITION/DEFINED
Used in reference to transitions between paces (within a gait) to indicate a well-demarcated change in length of stride.
DISOBEDIENCE
Willful determination to avoid doing what is asked, or determination to do what is not asked.
DIAGONAL DISSOCIATION (ALSO DIAGONAL ADVANCED PLACEMENT OR DAP)
The hooves of a diagonal pair of limbs (in trot or canter) do not contact the ground at the same moment. The dissociation may be hind-first, which is
also called positive DAP, or front-first, which is also called negative DAP. In the trot, hind-first dissociation is usually associated with the horse being
uphill. In canter, hind-first dissociation occurs, for instance, in the bounding canter of a young horse and in the pirouette canter.
DISUNITED (CANTER)
The fore and hind legs are on different leads. Same as Cross-Canter.
DOWNHILL
Poor longitudinal balance, with failure to elevate the withers and/or lower the haunches. Same as On The Forehand.
DRAGGING
Refers to dragging of the hind feet or inactivity of the hind legs or failure to lift the hooves clear of the ground.
ELASTICITY
The ability or tendency to stretch and contract the musculature smoothly, giving the impression of stretchiness or springiness.
ELEVATION
Raised position of the forehand (head, neck, and ribcage). The neck is elevated from its base with the poll as the highest point and the face slightly
in front of the vertical.
ENGAGEMENT
Increased flexion in joints of the hind legs during the weight-bearing (stance) phase of the stride, lowering the croup relative to the forehand, enabling the back to assist in elevating the forehand, and providing a springboard for upward thrust/impulsion. Engagement is carrying power, rather than pushing power.
At canter and piaffe, there is additional flexion at the hip joints and also greater flexion at the lumbosacral joint, which contribute to the horse’s ability to lower the haunches.
Note: Engagement is not flexion of the hocks or “hock action” when the leg is swinging forward (as seen most clearly in gaited horses and hackneys), nor does it describe the forward reach of the hind leg under the horse’s body.
EVASION
Avoidance of the difficulty, correctness, or purpose of the movement, or of the influence of the rider, often without active resistance or disobedience
(e.g. tilting the head, open mouth, broken neckline, etc.). Bit evasions are means of avoiding correct contact with the bit.
EXERCISE
A designated task that may include movement(s), transition(s), figure(s), and/or pattern(s) to be performed at designated gaits and paces and
sometimes at specific places in the arena, e.g. 20-meter circle at working trot, half-pass at collected canter, or simple change of lead.
EXPRESSION
Increased impulsion, with harmony, balance, lightness, and cadence, giving artistic or dramatic effect.
EXTENSION/EXTENDED (WALK, TROT, OR CANTER)
At trot and canter, a pace that shows maximum length of stride, frame, and phase of suspension. The uphill balance is greater than in the lengthening pace. The tempo remains nearly the same as in the collected pace.
At walk, a pace with maximum length of stride and frame, and showing the natural longitudinal oscillation of the neck (while still remaining on contact). The hind feet touch the ground clearly in front of the prints of the forefeet.
FALLING IN, FALLING ON INSIDE SHOULDER, FALLING OUT, FALLING OVER OUTSIDE SHOULDER, POPPED SHOULDER
Lateral deviation of the forehand/foreleg(s) associated with a loss of balance.
FIGURE
Geometrical component, such as a circle, change of rein, or figure of eight. A figure is not the same as a movement. Refer to Movement.
FLEXIBILITY
Range of motion of joints and the ability to move the joints freely. Also described as Suppleness.
FLEXION
In the limbs—articulation of a joint or joints so that the angle between the bones becomes smaller.
At the poll, there are three directions of movement, the first two of which are described as flexions and involve motion of the atlanto-occipital joint:
- Direct or longitudinal flexion brings the chin toward the underside of the neck. - Lateral flexion closes the angle between the cheek and the side of the neck. - Rotation (twisting) occurs at the atlanto-axial joint and causes tilting of the head.
In the rest of the spine, movements occur in the same three directions as at the poll: flexion-extension (rounding-hollowing); lateral (left-right) bending, and twisting. The combination of these movements creates carriage, bend, displacement of the ribcage, etc.
FLUENT/FLUENCY
Flowing or moving smoothly and easily. Same as fluid.
FOOTFALL
A hoof striking the ground.
FORWARD
Moving or tending to move toward the direction in which the horse is facing (in contrast to sideways, backward, or standing still); it does not indicate
how he gets there. References to specifics such as impulsion, energy, freedom, reach, length of stride, into the contact, responsiveness to the leg, and tempo more accurately express how the horse should proceed in a forward direction.
FRAME
The outline of the horse, which should change according to the length of stride (shorter frame for collection, longer for extension) and which shows
degree of uphill versus downhill carriage.
FREEDOM
The reach, scope and lack of constriction in the horse’s movement.
FREE WALK
A pace in which the horse freely lowers and stretches out its head and neck, and shows the natural longitudinal oscillation of the neck. The hind feet
touch the ground clearly in front of the prints of the forefeet, with strides longer than in the medium walk. Can be performed or required on a long rein
(maintaining contact) or a loose rein (with a loop in the rein – no contact).
FROM BEHIND
Shorthand for “energy/activity/thrust from the hind legs” (as in “needs more…‘from behind’”).
GAIT
Characteristic limb coordination pattern recognized by the sequence and timing of the footfalls. Gaits used in dressage are walk, trot, and canter.
HALF-HALT
A momentary effect of the aids that increases the attention and improves the balance of the horse.
HARMONY
Used in reference to the relationship between the horse and rider, the partners’ positive physical as well as mental/emotional connection, showing
rapport, trust, and confidence in one another and resulting in a sense of synchrony, contentment and unity.
HASTY
Refers to the tempo (strides per minute) unless otherwise noted.