Dear Amy,
I am competing in dressage at Third Level. I have been riding Third Level Test One and Third Level Test Three, and I am excited to be qualified for the Regionals. In my most recent show, I decided to ride my tests by memory (my first time without a caller) in practice for the championships, where readers are not permitted. I rode Test One first, and then I rode Test Three. I thought I had nice rides on both tests, but when I got back my Test Three sheet, I was surprised to see that I had an error in my flying change, with the comment that I was riding on the wrong line, and two points were deducted from my score. I realized afterwards that I must have accidentally ridden the flying change the way it is called for in Test One, instead of the way it is called for in Test Three, so I did deserve an error. However, I was very confused because I thought that when you got an error, the judge had to ring the bell, and she never did. What’s even more confusing is that I made the same mistake in the other direction and did not receive an error that time, although I did earn a low score. Can you explain why this might have happened?
There was another thing that surprised me. The judge made a comment that warned me that my bridle numbers were too small – I have my own decorative bridle numbers, and I have been using them for years with no problem. Is there a new ruling on this, or something else I should know?
Third Level
Dear Third Level,
Congratulations on being qualified for the Regionals, especially at Third Level! What a good idea to practice showing your test without a reader. As you can see, it is very important to know your patterns. Practicing riding without a whip is also a good idea if you normally carry one, as that is also forbidden at the Regionals.
First, let’s talk about errors. An error is when you make a mistake in your test, either by riding the wrong pattern, or by performing the wrong gait or movement. When you have an error, the judge may ring the bell, stop you, explain what is wrong, and then send you back to finish your test correctly. Errors may be divided into two general groups: errors of test and errors of course. An error of course would throw off the entire pattern – say you turn left when you should have turned right, or forget to make a turn to go across the diagonal, or just get lost. An error of test would be an error that does not disrupt the pattern – say, you canter instead of trot, or ride a diagonal all the way across the ring to one of the letters near the corner, when the test calls for a diagonal line to one of the letters between the middle and the corner.
When there is an error of course, the judge will sound the bell and stop your test because otherwise, you would not be able to proceed correctly. When there is an error of test, your judge may, at his or her discretion, elect not to sound the bell so as not to disrupt the flow of your ride, but will still penalize you with an error. It is important to know, however, that if the judge does not ring the bell to stop you, if you make the same mistake going the other direction, the judge may not count that as an error against you, but is free to mark down your score for inaccuracy. In National tests, your first error will incur two points off your final score; your second error will cost you four more points, and if you have a third error, you will be eliminated.
Third Level is when the flying change is introduced, and it is required in both Test One and Test Three, in a pattern that is similar but not the same. In both tests, the changes are asked for in both directions, and they happen on a diagonal line; however, they are not asked for on the same line. In Test One, the first flying change happens directly after a 10-meter circle on a right lead canter at V, which is halfway between the first letter after the corner (K) and the middle letter (E) on the long side of the arena. After the circle, you take a half diagonal towards R, which is the letter between the middle on the opposite side (B) and the corner (M). You ask for a flying change between the centerline and R. The second flying change is a mirror image: you make a 10-meter circle on the left lead at P (the letter between the first letter after the corner, F, and the middle, B), and then head toward S (halfway between E in the middle and H near the corner) and perform your flying change between the centerline and S. This movement and scoring box has a coefficient of 2.
In Test Three (your championship test) for your first flying change, you come from a half circle of 10 meters to the left from I to S (I is opposite S on the center line) and then head on a diagonal line toward F, which is the letter on the long side right before the corner. You ask for your flying change at, or around, the center line. Again, going the other way, the flying change is a mirror image. You make your half circle on the right lead from I to R (opposite S and halfway between the middle (B) and the last letter, M), and make your flying change at or near the center line while riding across the diagonal to K, the last letter before the corner. In this test, the movement also has a coefficient of two.
You might be surprised how many competitors make errors even with a reader. Third Level Test One and Three can be particularly confusing, especially if you are riding them both at the same show: it is easy to ride the diagonal to the wrong letter. I am sure your judge had your best interest in mind when she did not sound the bell, and probably hoped that you would recognize your mistake for your second flying change going the other direction. Since the judge did not ring the bell when you made your first error, she was not allowed to give you an error for the same mistake in the other direction, but marked you down for inaccuracy instead. I hope this answers your concerns about errors – I am sure you won’t want to make the same mistakes again, so it is a great idea to keep practicing without a reader and continue to familiarize yourself with the championship test so you will be confident and prepared by the time you go to the Regionals.
As far as bridle numbers go, yes, there is a new rule that was passed recently and will go into effect on December 1, 2025. (DR.121.19) According to this new rule, each digit of a number must be a minimum of 1.5 inches tall and 3/8ths of an inch wide. The numbers cannot be obscured by the encasement or holder. Before this rule goes into effect, please confirm the size and legibility of your numbers and replace them if they do not comply with the updated regulations. Remember, it is always appropriate and appreciated to check in with your steward in your warm-up, and when you are going around the apron of the arena to present yourself to the judge and state your number.
Good luck at the Regionals!