Elementary 40 harder than Elementary 42?

Perfect_Pirouette

Perfect_Pirouette

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I don’t know why I’m surprised as is it similar with some tests at all the other levels, but I thought the higher the number, the harder the test is meant to be.

I did E42 a couple of weeks ago and found it really quite nice, nothing worse than a Novice really. E40 is running at a venue next weekend, thought I’d enter. Ordered the test last night and thought I’d Youtube it, I can see from the video and hear from the caller that it requires quite a bit of collected trot? Also, quite a few half 10 metre circles in collected trot too. I know, generally half 10 metre circles will almost be collected in order to balance properly but still.

How collected does the collected trot have to be? He can collect, but isn’t quite strong enough behind yet for it to be mega wow or bouncy.

Anyone done E40? Is it a nice test?

Also, whilst we’re here, anyone done E44 as that one is also being run in a few weeks and if it’s not horrendous I may have a go.
 
Are you sure you are looking at the right year? (2010) As the currently used E40 has hardly any collected trot in it? The only collected trot is 2 corners after each medium trot? There are also only 3 trot half circles which are quite nice really. There is more collected canter however which is changing a diagonal, give and re-take then counter canter.

E44 does most of the test in collected trot. It has 5m loops of canter and a simple change.
 
Perfect_Pirouette said:
How collected does the collected trot have to be? He can collect, but isn’t quite strong enough behind yet for it to be mega wow or bouncy.
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They will really only expect the horse to be sufficiently collected to perform the movements asked of it. Don't worry about it too much if you want to ride the test, just keep his trot nicely in balance and show a difference with your mediums. I never worried about "collection" at elementary - some people get hung up on it, go too slowly and screw the horse down to the point that it loses elasticity and rhythm.

Have in your mind what Valegro looks like in collected trot - it's still ground covering and loose, but in perfect balance :)
 
I agree with the poster above. At Elementary I wouldn't get bogged down with thinking the trot has to be 'collected'. Naturally for a 10m circle the horse will need to collect anyway in order to balance. Good luck and I'm sure you'll find it easier than you think :)
 
I did ele 40 before and thought it was easier than most novices! Lovely easy test good luck with it rides so well x
 
Agree with everyone else - dont get hung up on collected trot for Elem. Judges really are not that fussed about it, as long as your trot is active and consistent, then you show enough of a difference in your mediums I highly doubt you'd ever get marked down. I've worked as a show steward at a BD venue for over a year now and have never once seen a judge mention the collection in trot in a Elem test, I have seen it mentioned on a sheet for the collected canter but never the trot. I dont think judges are expecting a vast difference between working and collected trot at this level, they are more concerned with seeing a difference for the medium, and the balance/suppleness of the horse in the more difficult movements i.e. smaller circles and simple changes.
 
Thanks guys :) I will not worry too much re the collection then and just try and keep the impulsion as best I can on the smaller/tighter movements.

Will let you know how I get on :)
 
As others have said, don't worry about the collected trot. My trainer is a list 1 judge and when I raised it with him before I did my first ele he said to do my normal trot.
 
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