Tasting Days

Explanation for Tasting Days
If you are going to participate in a tasting day, there are many things you need to know. Here we will explain to you how it works.

First, you consult with instructor whether you are ready to participate in the tests yet.

If this is the case, you can register for the tasting day via the website. On the registration form you fill in all the requested information. Always fill in your^2nd choice for the horses. When the horse/pony of your^1st choice is ill, we know which horse/pony you want to ride. From D-3 you may start twice, you have to indicate that too.

Tuesday before the race is the last day to register. Then we can make sure the start list is on the website by Thursday or Friday. It will show what time you ride. You can also see if there are more riders riding "your" horse/pony, then you can agree to brush, braid, saddle, etc. together.

On trial day, be at the equestrian center well in advance so that you have plenty of time to prepare.

At home, of course, you have already polished your boots, brushed your cap, and got your passport ready to take with you (without a passport you are not allowed to start).

• You sign in at the secretary/counting table. This is in the canteen. There you hand in your passport, pay the entry fee and hear if there are any changes to the start list.
• Then you will brush your horse/pony properly and if you like it, you may also braid the mane. You can, in advance ask someone who has done this before to help you.
• Then you go put on your competition clothes (if you haven't already)
• Ask the ringmaster (he walks between the^1st and^2nd lane) if the time is still correct. About half an hour before the show, saddle your horse/pony. Make sure you do this correctly. Not only better for your horse/pony but also for the judges.
• Then you go to the^2nd lane (about fifteen minutes before you have to start) and report to the ringmaster. He/she will supervise the entering and call you when it is your turn.
• The riding arena should be quiet. There should not be too many people walking around without a horse/pony. Only to briefly help with mounting/shackling and the like.
• While breaking in, do as you do in class. First step in and then trot. No cantering is allowed during breaking in.
• The ringmaster will escort you to the^1st lane to ride your trial.
• Once the judge (who sits above the cafeteria by the letter C) has given a sign, your test begins.
• Up to D6 the equestrian center provides a reader, after that you have to ask for a reader yourself. Of course for D1 to D5 you may also have your own reader.
• At the end of the test you salute to the judge, but please note! the test is not over until you have ridden past M or H. Then you may talk again and of course reward your horse/pony.
• After your trial, go back to the^2nd lane and step out nicely. Be careful not to get in the way of those who have yet to start.
• Then you go saddle your horse/pony and aftercare. If someone else has to ride the same horse/pony. leave the braids in the mane, of course. Otherwise you can take them out. Make sure no rubber bands fall into the straw.
• Clean up all your stuff. You can now go to the cafeteria to wait for the results. Maybe you still need to take theory exams?
• But of course you may also help other children prepare.
• Please note the time of the awards ceremony, which is on the start list.

Competition attire is not required, however, judges will look to see if you look neat and tidy. Clean boots/chaps, clean pants. Long-sleeved T-shirt, blouse or sweater. Make sure your cap is secure. If you ride with gloves, only white ones. For the ladies; hair in a braid or hairnet.

If you do want to ride in competition attire, that consists of: cap, white blouse (or shirt with a collar), plastron, (black) jacket, white riding breeches, riding boots or chaps (without fringe) and white gloves. For the ladies: hair in braid or hairnet (and with bow is of course even more fun).

If you want a white shabrak under the saddle, of course you can! But make sure it fits properly, and if your horse/pony always runs with a prolite or fur, it should now.

You can also ask in class if your instructor would like to practice the test once. Or you can take a private lesson in which everything is fully explained.

Thanks in advance for your application!

Team Duinmanege Van Poelenburgh

Every month with the exception of the summer months we organize D tests. On Saturday evening dressage trials for older youth (about 14 years old) and adults and on Sunday dressage trials for youth.

The M&RB (Manege & Ruiterbond) has developed tests to give every (riding school) rider the opportunity to compete. For the D-tests you do not need to own your own horse or pony. On the basis of the tests it is easy to follow what you have learned and whether you can advance to the next level.

For these tests, the M&RB has published a nice handbook. It contains all kinds of information about the tests, the theory (which you need to know for the theory exams) and horseback riding in general. The handbook will soon be available in our canteen. All tests are on the website of the M&RB, which you can download, so you always have the correct version of the test. Also, below each trial is"practice this trial" with clear animation for each part of the trial. Fun and educational!

How dressage trials work:

The M&RB has developed tests from D1 through D20. These are suitable for both beginning riders and advanced riders. Depending on the level of the rider, one can enter the tests D1 through D6.

The tests are judged by a judge who gives points for the different parts of the test and also judges the rider on posture and seat, posture and rein aids, leg posture and leg aids, regularity of pace and general impression. The points and any comments are recorded by the judge on a protocol so you can see what went well and what may need to be worked on.

There are five levels. Within each level there are four different tests (20 total) that must be ridden a number of times. For each test a maximum of one point can be earned at a time. At Duinmanege van Poelenburgh we use a slightly different scoring system than explained on the website of the M&RB.

• In D1 through D3, you must score 2 points in each trial to advance to D4.
• From D4 onward, you must score 3 points to advance to the next trial.

To participate in the trials, you must have an M&RB passport. This keeps track of the promotion points achieved. It is therefore important to bring your passport with you on competition days.

Promotion points:

If you get 189 points or more for your test, you will receive a Promotion Point (PP).

Advancing to the next test is done when you have sufficient points and in consultation with the instructor.

When you have earned a promotion point, a stamp will be placed in your Equestrian Passport with the date of the test ridden and the number of points earned for the test.

Theory exams:

If you ride an even test and get enough points for it (189 or more) there is a theory exam attached to it. For all even tests you get a diploma. So for the D2, D4, D6, D8 etc.

The theory exam consists of ten multiple-choice questions. Usually these are questions about things you have already dealt with as a rider in your lessons. When you have answered enough questions correctly for your theory exam (you are allowed a maximum of three wrong answers) you receive a diploma.

Directly to the registration form? See above right here.

Also the youngest riders the so-called gnomes can participate in the test day. For them we have developed 4 tests. They too can get 4 diplomas. At these tests the guides walk along. There are practice lessons for both the gnomes and their supervisors. Check the calendar for the dates. After obtaining the diplomas, the gnomes can move on to the starter pack.

Participation in the M&RB jumping tests is possible after obtaining the M&RB D6 diploma or KNHS B-dressage. At the M&RB show jumping tests, jumping is done in different classes.

More information soon.

Promotion Points: The judges will judge the jumping test on the following points: entering, halting and saluting, manner of riding between the obstacles, posture and seat.

Coming in, halting and saluting count once in the final point total and the manner of riding between the obstacles and posture and seat, count three times.

If you achieve 49 points or more for the three parts combined, you will receive two promotion points. If you achieve 42 to 48 points, you get one promotion point. If you score less than 42 points, you will not receive a promotion point.

When you obtain ten promotion points in a class, you may advance to the next class. When you achieve fifteen promotion points in a class, you must advance to the next class.

Diploma:

Diplomas can also be obtained in the M&RB jumping tests, and these are in the S40, S60 and S80 classes. You receive a diploma when you have earned ten promotion points in one of these classes.

At the M&RB event days, we can always use a lot of help!

Riders who have finished riding. Parents who have to wait anyway. Friends who enjoy helping out.

You can sign up for the following tasks:

• Read aloud
• Writing
• Ringmaster
• Secretariat
• Other

Would you like to read aloud, too? Then watch/read along with an experienced reader a few times. Then you read aloud and an experienced reader watches with you. If that goes well, the next time you can read aloud yourself.

The judge looks at the rider in the lane and therefore cannot write the protocol at the same time. If you would like to sit next to the judge and write the protocols, please sign up at the secretariat. It is not only nice for us, but you also learn a lot from it.

The duties of a ringmaster:

• Maintain list of participants (is everyone there?), is it running in or running out? Then that will be passed on to the riders who are preparing.
• Supervising when riding in. Ensuring that no people (without a horse) are in the arena unnecessarily. Taking care not to gallop (lower trials). Changing hands regularly.
• help (novice) riders with nasing, are the stirrup straps even and not twisted and so on.
• Escort riders to and from the^1st lane. When the riding rider is almost done, the next one is fetched. When changing, the new rider goes in first, then the one who just rode goes out. Close gate and walk with the one who rode. Alert the next rider that it is almost his turn.
• You see it is quite a lot of work and that is why we would like to do this in two-hour blocks, so the more volunteers, the lighter the work.

We could also use additional help at the secretariat.

• Taking passports
• Entry fee booking
• Counting protocols
• You must do this work regularly to master it well

Other

• Helping beginning riders with brushing, braiding and saddling
• Assist ringmaster
• Help in the canteen during large crowds (clear tables and clean up)
• Keeping stalls/aisles neat

Are you coming to help? Sign up by mail or at the secretariat. Then we will assign you next time. For various tasks (with the exception of reading out loud) you can receive stamps on your volunteer card. If you have 10 stamps on your card, you can ride an extra time in group lessons or free riding! You can also continue to save for an outdoor ride or private lesson. Parents can also save for their children.

Thanks in advance for your application!

Team Duinmanege Van Poelenburgh