Tag: Glossary of Judging Terms

CROOKEDNESS - Aspects of crookedness: Misalignment of the horse’s body parts from tail to poll (e.g. popped shoulder or twisted neck).On straight or curved lines,...

THRUST - Propulsive forward and upward drive from hindquarters. Required at First Level to achieve improved balance and throughness; at Second Level required to...

RHYTHM (Regularity and Tempo)- The characteristic sequence of footfalls and timing of a pure walk, pure trot, and pure canter. The rhythm should be...

AGAINST THE BIT - The horse presses against the bit with a rigid or unyielding neck/poll/jaw. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

RAPID - Refers to the tempo (strides per minute) unless otherwise noted. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

MOBILITY - Easy maneuverability/nimbleness of the shoulders/forehand/forelegs, made possible by a narrowing and shortening of the horse’s base of support. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

BEND - The laterally curved position in which the horse’s body, as would be viewed from above, appears to form a uniform arc from...

EVASION - Avoidance of the difficulty, correctness, or purpose of the movement, or of the influence of the rider, often without active resistance or...

ZIG -ZAG - Three or more half passes connected by changes of direction. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

STRIDE - Cycle of movements that is completed when the horse’s legs regain their initial positions.  Length of stride refers to the amount of...