A:
 Kerry Petty
My basic rule for moving up is that you are schooling at home a level above what you are showing.  This, however, can be tricky from walk/trot to training level more than any other level.

I would like my students to have the following to show Training Level 1 and 2.
1.  Walk/trot rides feel easy with all the figures and transitions
2.  Walk/trot scores should be solidly in the mid to high 50’s and 60’s if your horse has good gaits.
3.  The canter is controllable and you can control your direction.
4.  You can bet both leads 75% of the time.
5.  You are comfortable riding the canter and not fearful of the speed.
6.  You are not steering the horse at the canter with the reins because you are hanging on with your legs locked to just “ride” the canter.
7.  You can do a trot to canter transition without pulling on the horse’s mouth.

The latter 3 may sound silly but this is when as a judge I see dangerous or frightening things happen in the show ring.  If you are doing these 3 things at home and then you add the tension of the show ring, many times the horse will react to these issues by really getting fast or bucking or balking to get away from the rider’s aids.  Then the rider tries harder and ends pulling on the riens and theng can get dangerous.

As a rider you want to go into the ring knowing you can do all the things in the test.  Then you have the confidence to ride well and you give your horse confidence.  Then you go into the ring only hoping or praying that you will get that lead or be able to control the horse you are better off doing another year at walk-trot.

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