Holli Hammarquist / HH Equine Dreams

05/31/2026

One of the biggest shifts between simply “riding the test” and consistently scoring 70%+ is understanding what the judges are truly looking for. Let's use First Level.

It is not about flashy movement or forcing the horse into a frame.

It is about correct basics: balance, harmony, and rideability.

At First Level, judges want to see that the horse is beginning to carry more weight behind, stay connected from back to front, and maintain balance through transitions and lateral work.

They are looking for:

✔ pure, consistent rhythm
✔ relaxation and suppleness
✔ steady elastic contact
✔ straightness and correct bend
✔ balanced transitions
✔ engagement from the hindquarters
✔ accuracy in geometry
✔ adjustability within the gait

One of the most overlooked parts of scoring well is actually reading the directives on the scoresheet — not just memorizing the pattern.

The pattern tells you WHERE to go.

The directives tell you WHAT the judge is evaluating.

For example, movements may specifically ask for:
▪️balance
▪️quality of transition
▪️bend
▪️straightness
▪️regularity
▪️engagement
▪️submission
▪️accuracy

Riders consistently scoring well are usually thinking:
“How do I show the qualities the directive is asking for?”

—not simply—
“How do I get from one letter to the next?”

The directives are essentially the judge’s checklist.
They tell you exactly where the points come from.

The ideal frame is not created by pulling the head in.

A horse that is truly “together” should:
▪️lift through the withers
▪️swing through the back
▪️step actively underneath with the hind legs
▪️seek the contact forward
▪️stay light and elastic in the rider’s hand

The poll is generally the highest point, with the nose close to or slightly in front of the vertical — but the frame itself should be the RESULT of balance and connection, not something manufactured by the reins.

A horse can look round without actually being connected biomechanically.

True connection comes from:
hind leg → swinging back → elastic contact.

If you want to ride for 70%+, focus on making the basics exceptional:

• ride accurate geometry
• prepare transitions early
• maintain consistent rhythm
• keep the horse mentally relaxed
• ride every corner intentionally
• prioritize balance over flashiness
• create impulsion without rushing

Many scores are won or lost in the “simple” things:
the halt, the free walk, the centerline, transitions, circles, and straightness.

The best 70% tests usually do not look dramatic.
They look organized, supple, balanced, and harmonious.

Correct basics always scale upward into higher level work and your move up to Second Level and beyond.
Without them, the rest eventually falls apart.

05/27/2026

05/24/2026

We need a renaissance of horsemanship in America. This is why I write this page, to provide information about horse training and riding methods that have become rare or forgotten. I entered the horse world in 1953. It became my life. In the mid 1970s the community aspect of the horse world began to change and not for the better. Sure, there are some improvements, but in general riding skills have declined and horses are not as fit or well trained as they once were.

I and others are trying to reverse this decline. I write this page, do free local horsemanship discussion groups and I have an apprenticeship program for young horse trainers and riding instructors as my contributions, and I'm not the only one doing these kinds of things.

To create a renaissance of horsemanship in America it's going to take all of us to make it happen. It will require big changes like the UDJClub is making with their show series and education. And it will take small acts like sharing information with others that will restore higher standards of horsemanship.

It won't be easy. Commercial interests, and I would include the USEF in that, as well as the growing power of the animal rights organizations are opposed to positive changes. Many of the powers that be are not interested in increasing participation in equestrian pursuits because they either think proven methods are offensive or positive changes won't make money for them.

The renaissance will not increase commercial profits as much as they will grow the community of people who understand the nature of horses and care deeply about them. It's about building community. I think most of my followers on this page get this and I appreciate them for it.

Last week I posted three educational posts to help teach horse owners and riders effective methods. They are about gymnastic grids or jumping lanes, training horses to do different jump arcs and the canter-halt transition. I did this series of technical posts that have become rare or forgotten to expand in people's minds about what is possible. All three posts got less than usual interest.

This could be due to the FB algorithm, too much complexity, the text being too long for today's attention span, or whatever. But it doesn't matter why. What matters is that we make more demands that people think and act beyond where they are today so they can expand their and other people's understanding of horsemanship that is being lost.

I will put the links to these three posts in the comments and if you have not seen them, look at them and if you resonate with them, please share them. These are examples of methods that are being lost. Or go to my homepage Bob Wood Horses For Life and scroll down to these three posts. Thank you

05/21/2026

❤️

05/21/2026

Notice his toes are facing forward, not out. The leg hangs down with the "inside" of the thigh against the saddle, NOT the back of the leg.