Class Descriptions
Traditional Horsemanship Competition™
MANEGE & VERSATILITY CLASSES
Organized in the USA by the Traditional Horsemanship Association (THA)
Contact: JPGiacomini (859) 236-1530 tmundi@bellsouth.net
309 Caldwell Rd n DANVILLE, KY 40422 USA
I. TM Manege Classes © 2008
THA’s Competitive Mission. TM Manege™ addresses both the technical and artistic aspects of horsemanship. TM Versatility™ demonstrates the athletic ability & bravery of pleasure horses. Both classes require thorough compliance and discipline from horse and rider. This competition is equally accessible to English & Western riders. The classes appeal to a very large number of riders at the entry level, yet offer professionals the opportunity to gain international prestige at the World Cup Level. TM’s open competitions are a unique venue that recognizes the qualities of cadence, brilliance & collection produced by the Baroque gymnastic training progression and promotes general horsemanship through the versatility required from the pleasure horse. TM honors the different national equestrian traditions identified with all historically important styles of riding from Europe & the Americas. THA’s mission is to present Traditional Horsemanship™ as the embodiment of an educated, mutually satisfying relationship between Horse & Human. It is an artistic equestrian spectacle of ever changing music and beautiful costumes that preserves the classical training correctness & offers riders an opportunity for serious equestrian education through a future Certification program that will use the TM Manege tests as foundation for testing riders.
THE COMPETITION FORMAT
TM Manege™ includes 2 tests, to be performed for every class at each of the 4 levels. At the regional, national and international championship level, the ‘C’ “Championship Test” is compulsory.
1. Compulsory test (‘C’ Test): it demonstrates the correct training of the horse. Its ultimate goal is to develop collection. Within each level, the ‘C’ tests vary in difficulty and have a ”difficulty coefficient”. Each rider may freely choose the test best suited to his/her horse’s training level, until the horse performs the entire program required in the Championship test.
2. Freestyle test (‘F’ Test): performed to music, allows competitors to express their artistic talent and show their horses to their best advantage. Each level requires the performance of certain compulsory movements. Exercises of difficulty higher than the level entered cannot be included.
5 Levels
1. TM Introductory. For the riders who are new to Classic Horsemanship™, TM offers a series of tests with simple movements performed at the ordinary walk, trot & canter. Those classes will test the horses’ willingness & riders’ control technique. Horses will be presented in the "natural balance” ("on the bit" is not necessary. Horses must be ridden in a snaffle or a bit-less bridle. This level does not offer a Freestyle test.
2. TM Preliminary: This level serves as a transition between straight forward riding and gymnastics, introducing lateral work on a simple level. This is the first level with a freestyle test.
3. TM Low School: both ‘C’. & ‘F’. Tests are limited to circles in walk, trot and canter, shoulder-in and half- passes at walk and trot on a straight line. Gaits variations go from working to medium.
4. TM Intermediate School: for the ‘C’ & ‘F’ tests, new movements to be added are: half-passes on curves, flying changes to four tempi, half-canter pirouettes, beginning of Piaffe, Spanish Walk (optional in the ‘F’ test. Gaits variations from collected to extended.
5. TM High School: for the ‘C’. & ‘F’ tests, new movements to be added are: half-passes in canter, counter-changes of hand in half pass, (trot and canter), Flying Changes up to 2 tempi, full Canter Pirouettes, Piaffe 50 strides (not all at once) and passage 50 yards. Optional movements in the Freestyle of this level: Spanish Walk & Trot, multiple Canter Pirouettes, Airs-Above-the-Ground, Canter-in-Place and Reverence.
Four options per level: “Manege Solo”(1 rider), “Manege Pas de Deux”(2 riders), “Manege Pas de Trois”(3 riders), and “Manege Quadrille”(4 riders). In each class, the riders compete alone in ‘C’ test, but ride in a group of 2, 3 or 4 riders in ‘F’ test.
Equipment: all ‘C’ tests will be performed in *Working* tack. The ‘C’ test at the Low School and Intermediate levels must be performed on a snaffle. The ‘C’ test at the High School level may be performed on a snaffle, single curb or double bridle. (A bonus of 2% of the ‘Horsemanship marks’ will be given to the riders who choose the snaffle). ‘F’ tests: bits are free choice at all levels above Introductory. Riders may choose to ride astride or sidesaddle. Style of bridles and saddles are free choice, but the shape of mouth pieces is controlled. In the Presentation mark, riders will be judged for the good taste, fit and correction of their tack.
Dress code: all ‘C’ tests must be performed in *Working* dress. ‘F’ tests can be performed in traditional dress such as uniforms (military or civilian), correct regional or national dress, historical costumes, easily recognized and documented, are encouraged. The dress must match the equipment used for the horse: appropriateness and correction will be judged in the Presentation mark. If the rider chooses to invent his/her costume using a fantasy theme, the only limitation is common decency. Tradition or Originality & Drama is considered in the presentation mark.
Schedule: C & F Tests are run on two consecutive days & the points will be added to determine the placement. Riders are allowed to compete at only one level per show in any of the 4 divisions (“Manege Solo”, - Pas de Deux, -Pas de Trois or -Quadrille”™). For the ‘C’ test at each level, the riders of all divisions compete jointly. If entered in different divisions, they only need to perform the compulsory test once. Their points from the C test will be added to their individual freestyle marks for each division they have entered. The total scores will determine the final placing.
Judging: TM is striving towards Fairness, Transparency of judging, guided by the TM Judging Manual &guaranteed by the accountability of judges, all of themchosen for theirexperience in training/judging Dressage & Baroque horses (including some international masters). TM is developing a custom show management/scoring software package and an animated test learning package designed by Equitech Software.Co .
Scoring: Each class score-sheet has a section for Performance marks (movements) = 2/3 of total and Horsemanship marks (quality of training & riding) = 1/3 of total. These proportions are kept constant at every level by the use of coefficients. Gaits are judged on regularity of tempo and biomechanical correction, not the degree of suspension or any particular breed style of movement. The requirements of the Horsemanship Scoring Sheet (Gaits/Biomechanics, Impulsion/Responsiveness, Compliance/Goodwill, Calmness/Relaxation, Straightness/Symmetry, Roundness/Collection, Aids/Communication, Presentation) increase with each new level of performance.
II. TM Versatility Classes © 2008
Versatile riding horses must display their athletic ability, compliance and courage, proven through the history of cavalry or working with cattle. These ancient styles of riding included all the exercises required in the training for mounted combat, hunting over varied terrain and cattle work on the ranch. TM Versatility™ is the modern adaptation of ancient court games used as war training exercises in all equestrian nations and cattle work requirements. Historical re-enactments of these games have been received with high acclaim by an enthusiastic public, opening the door for TM Versatility™, a spectacular way to involve people who are young (at heart) with the exciting side of Equestrian tradition and help them develop a solid basis of horsemanship.
THE COMPETITION FORMAT
TM Versatility™ has 4 levels (Intro, Novice, Intermediate & Advanced). It consists of going through a series of obstacles & exercises, performed by the rider on a course against the clock. It combines speed & skill and is judged both on faults & on time (like show-jumping). For each failed exercise, the competitor gets penalty points. Some exercises (like throwing the javelin) will get bonus points as in target shooting. The final goal of the class is to enter the ‘castle’, by either: jumping the ‘wall’, opening the ‘gate’ or going over the ‘bridge’ and saving a prisoner (a mannequin). The rider must then exit the ‘castle’ to safety by passing through the final timing device. Another very exciting way to run the class is to have two riders competing against each other on two parallel courses. This class proceeds by successive elimination rounds.
The following obstacles/exercises may be included in the course, designed by each "course builder", following TM guidelines for each level of the competition. They will be enforced by a qualified steward at the show. Some exercises (or obstacles) may present alternative options, (like in 3 Day Eventing - to make the classes more interesting).
Examples of different "obstacles", destined to slow down the dashing riders, integrated in the course.
The difficulty of exercises can be graded with each level, for example:
III. The Supreme Test: TM Combined Trial™ © TM Intl’ 2008
This is the supreme test for the “Riding Warriors”. They will have to master, in the same competition, the discipline of TM Manege™ Compulsory Test (‘C’)", the artistic flair of the “TM Manege Freestyle Test (‘F’), with the combination of speed and skill of TM Versatility™. The 3 parts of the class will be performed at the same level and held on 2 different days. The scheduling can be combined with the running of a regular TM Manege™ and TM Versatility™ Competition. This competition promotes the solidity, effectiveness and daring of the riders, the agility, boldness, calm and goodwill of a well trained working horse.
3 Levels
Novice: Combination of TM Manege Intro Test 5 with Novice Versatility course
Intermediate: Combination of TM Manege Low School Test 3 and Freestyle with Intermediate Versatility course
Advanced: Combination of TM Manege Intermediate School Test 2 and Freestyle with Advanced Versatility course
Traditional Horsemanship™ represents a balance between tradition & scientific progress. It promotes training solutions that respect the horse’s body & mind. Through its artistic presentations, it embodies the Versatile Ideal of the Classical Riding Tradition started during the Baroque Period in the Manege (the classical riding arena) & on the Cattle Ranch.
Traditional Horsemanship™ requires correct training for horse & rider, while developing
a mutually rewarding & educational rapport between them.
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TM Traditional Horsemanship™, TM Manege™, TM Freestyle™, TM Solo™, TM Pas de Deux™, TM Pas de Trois™, TM Quadrille™, TM Versatility™ are trademarked & copyrighted 1992-2009 by Equus Publishing LLC, dedicated to the creation of educational and competitive horsemanship material. The TM tests and the relevant rules are licensed to Equus Academy LLC, the American Traditional Horsemanship Association, the International Horsemanship Federation and can be licensed to any national organization dedicated to the development of Traditional Horsemanship.