- 2015 RCP #
- 83
- Summary
- Calling CDE Training Level Dressage Test
- Date Received
- 04Aug14
- Proponent
- Combined Driving Committee
- Change Date
- 2015
- Status
- Open for comments – 25Aug14
DC not recommended - Activity
- Initial Posting: 25Aug14
Assigned to DC only 20Oct14
Current Wording – Article 952.2 Conditions.Memory
952.2 Memory
The FEI Driven Dressage Test must be driven from memory. Speaking or indication given by a groom will incur 10 penalties (10 penalties can only be given once per Test).
Suggested Wording – Article 952.2 Conditions.Memory
952.2 Memory
The FEI Driven Dressage Test must be driven from memory. Speaking or indication given by a groom will incur 10 penalties (10 penalties can only be given once per Test).
At ADS-recognized events, Training division dressage tests may be called. This may be offered at the discretion of the organizer and must be published in the Omnibus. If the test is called, it is the responsibility of the competitor to arrange for a caller. Lateness and errors in announcing the test will not relieve the driver from having error penalties. Calling the test is limited to reading the movements as written, once only, from a position outside the arena or aboard the carriage.. Additional reading of movements may be penalized at the discretion of the Judge. A competition cannot require competitors to use callers employed by show management. Any outside assistance (other than calling a Training division test) is forbidden. (See Article 945.2.1.)
At ADS-recognized events, Preliminary or Intermediate Driven Dressage tests must be driven from memory. Outside or groom assistance will be penalized under Article 945.2.1.1.;
Reason for change
RCP2015#43 clarifies penalty for outside assistance in ADS classes.
CDC adds amendment to this RCP so that dressage tests may be called in Training division only. The CDC acknowledges that Dressage Committee does not wish to offer this option in Dressage-only events, but CDC does wish to offer this option in Combined Driving Dressage competitions to broaden participation.
Final Comment
The DDC did not support this RCS for several reasons. 1) the size of the driven dressage arena and the noise of carriage make hearing a callers voice nearly impossible 2) drivers have the opportunity to memorize a dressage test months before a competition and to practice it an unlimited amount of times whereas marathon obstacles and cones courses must be memorized in a short period of time and cannot be practiced. The nature of a CDE competition requires the ability to drive from memory. Asking a driver to perform a dressage test from memory prior to attempting the faster speeds which obstacles and cones are to be driven (also from memory) is a reasonable expectation 3) unlikely to attract new drivers that are competent to perform safely in all three phases if they are unable to perform a dressage test from memory
Lyutzy says :
August 22, 2014The Dressage Committee has repeatedly voted NO on this change, for Dressage-only AND Combined Driving. Sadly, the CD committee does not respect our opinion. Please do not allow this rule change.
Amanda Horton says :
August 24, 2014I oppose this proposed rule change for the reasons cited above and because this rule change is not within the time frame of the rule changing process and is not a correction or clarification of an existing rule.
Zantke says :
September 11, 2014I oppose this proposed rule change for BOTH reasons cited above!
Why does the CDC want to re-invent a wheel, which our history has shown already to not even be rolling? We had that years ago when we started the sport and modeled it after ridden dressage, only to quickly find out that it simply doesn’t work in driving. Our dressage area is too large, the carriage is too noisy, the callers can not get through properly to the drivers with calling a movement only once, the drivers have a false sense of security, and in the end it creates more aggravation between drivers and callers and the officials than any help. So it was taken out of the rule book years ago. If we need some help like that, perhaps go the route I suggested in my column in the Aug. Whip: Make an “Assistance preferred” class and have the groom on the carriage tell the driver where to go – and throw out all the other restrictions as calling each movement only once etc etc , and do so next year, as for this year you are too late and out of order!
hardy
simon says :
October 8, 2014There are many drivers electing to not enter competition because of a real or perceived inability to remember the test. Having first hand experience as a driver, organizer and judge seeing tests called it does once again open the door for some entries. There has been much discussion about new and long experienced drivers having memory issues not wanting to participate. This is a simple alternative that can be offered by sympathetic organizers as another tool to increase entries. The driver is responsible for the caller – it doesn’t take any more organizational or officiating to offer this option to training division drivers and certainly extends a welcoming opportunity to those who will benefit.
Zantke says :
October 10, 2014It is a “crutch” which does not work – as has been proven. So you will create more unhappy people in the end rather than helping anybody.
hardy