General Information

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 Use arenas that are as near as possible to regulation size and be  sure letters are set appropriately to be viewed by the judge. Cones with  large letters on them and poles on the ground to delineate the corners  are acceptable. For arena measurements please visit this link, https://westerndressageassociation.org/western-dressage-arena/

• Videos of tests must be unedited from start to finish, including  the equipment, attire, and bit check. They must be one continuous  recording with the horse and rider visible at all times.
• Videos must be filmed in LANDSCAPE orientation.
• After entering the arena, prior to beginning the test, a sign must  be held up showing the name of the show, date of the show, horse’s name,  class # and test. Remove the sign just before beginning the ride.  Please make sure that all information is clear and easy to read for the  judge. The videographer can hold the sign then move back to behind the  camera or hold the sign in front of the camera at arm’s length while  also holding the camera.
• Keep the horse in frame, paying close attention to the near  corners. You may zoom in slightly on the far corners. Videos must be in  focus.
• Make sure to keep the letters in the frame that are elements of the  test being performed.As soon as the test is finished, the camera must  slowly circle the horse and rider showing all equipment and attire,  including spurs and whip if used. If the videographer is unable or  unwilling to enter the arena to do the filming, the rider may turn the  horse slowly to allow complete filming of the equipment.
• Following equipment check, the rider will dismount and show  that two fingers can fit between the bosal or cavesson and the horse’s  cheek, then drop the bit so it can be evaluated. NOTE:Hold  the bridle so as not to obscure the curb strap or curb chain.  Demonstrate that the curb strap or chain is flexible and is at least ½  inch wide. Make sure the judge can see all parts of the bridle,  including bit and reins clearly.
• The test must be videoed from C, where the judge would normally be seated.
• The test may be called.
• Coaching during the test is not allowed.
• The natural background sound for the test must be audible. Tests with no sound at all will not be accepted.
• Bridle or saddle pad numbers are not allowed.
• Exceptional riders are exempt from the dropping the bit requirement in online shows.
• Ridden tests may be submitted to ONLY ONE online show. A video of a  test/ride from another competition that has already been judged must be  eliminated. Any video suspected of having been filmed during another  competition will not be scored.
• All classes must be designated with a unique class number; no horse may be ridden more than once in any western dressage class with the same class number, including TOC classes.

Noncompliance with the above guidelines will cause the test to be eliminated.

The video must be filmed in landscape.

If you can, mount the camera on a tripod to keep the camera steady.  Video from behind the judge's position at the C, outside the arena. The  judge needs to see the whole horse and rider clearly.

Ensure the whole arena including the letters can be seen. Start  filming before the rider enters at A. Keep the horse and rider in the  center of the frame.  Please use zoom when the rider and horse are at the top of the arena. 

 Keep the camera still at C move to the left or right to ensure all movements at M & H are captured. 

 You may stop the recording once the horse and rider have left the arena at A.

The video must be filmed in landscape. You only need to perform a Tack Check if you are riding a WDAA WESTERN DRESSAGE TEST. 

If you can, mount the camera on a tripod to keep the camera steady.  Video from behind the judge's position at the C, outside the arena. The  judge needs to see the whole horse and rider clearly. The judge at a live show sits around 6 feet from C so bear this in mind. Please stand directly behind C not off to one side. The judge needs to be able to evaluate the straightness of the centerline and if you are off to one side even by a little bit the movement will score low as the judge can not see if the rider is straight on the line.

It is important to review your video as if you were the judge sitting at C. If you cannot clearly see a movement in detail, the judge will not be able to see it either. If the judge is not able to clearly see a movement they are unable to evaluate it. Movements that cannot be clearly seen can only score a 6 or below. If your horse leaves the frame during the test the judge cannot mark the movement above a 5 as it is classes and not shown. A pony in a large arena become a dot when it moves passed X if you do not use zoom. If your arena is in shadow and you are riding a dark horse the judge will not be able see the movement. Please bear this in mind when choosing when to video. 

The sound for the test must be audible. Videos that are submitted  with no sound will be rejected. There must be no music incorporated* in  to the video you must be able to hear the natural sounds of the test, ie  wildlife, horse and rider.   If Coaching is heard on the audio the test will be eliminated. In these circumstances no refund will be offered.  You are allowed to have the test called.  The caller can stand at B/E or behind C.

A video of a test/ride from another competition that has already been  judged will be eliminated. Any video which is suspected of having been  filmed during another competition will not be accepted. In these  circumstances no refund will be offered. 

The video must be uninterrupted  with no editing.  Any tests that found to be edited will be eliminated  from the competition:  The unedited version my be re submitted but no  refunds will be given.

*Musical Freestyle:   The music is to played live as  you ride the test not added after the test has been ridden.  Any tests  where the music has been edited in will not be accepted.  The suggested  method is to place the sound system at C near the person videoing the  test.  This will ensure that the judge can hear the music clearly. 

Rules Musical Freestyle: 

Time: The DSO Freestyles maximum time limit is 5 minutes. There is no minimum time.  Movements executed after the 5 minutes limit are not scored. One (1)  point is deducted from the total for Artistic Impression for exceeding  the time limit.

Under penalty of elimination at the discretion of the Judge at“C”, a rider must enter the arena within 30 seconds of the music starting. Music must cease at the final salute.

At the beginning and end of a Freestyle  Test a halt with a salute is compulsory. Time begins when the horse  moves forward after the competitor’s halt and ends with the final halt  and salute.