United States Eventing Association

Mary Grace is the kind of dressage judge every rider hopes will be waiting at C when they turn down center line. Having occupied a seat in the judge’s box (or car, as the case may be) for over three decades, she can practically recite the rulebooks from memory but nevertheless studies the relevant documents before every competition where she officiates, whether it’s a schooling show or a recognized event

In an attempt to create a clear picture for consistent scoring amongst judges, the following clarification has been made by the USEA Eventing Licensed Officials Committee regarding the 2022 USEF Novice Test B dressage test for eventing. This clarification is effective immediately.

Following the rollout of the new 2022 USEF Eventing Dressage Tests, USEA Educational Collaborator Ride iQ spoke with international eventer and USEA 2020 Rider of the Year Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp, who played a large part in the development of the tests, to hear her perspective about the new tests and her experience developing them. Halliday-Sharp was a member of the committee who worked tirelessly to write tests that are efficient, flowing, and hopefully well-received by organizers and riders alike.

Marilyn Payne, chair of the Test Writing Task Force, presented the 2022 USEF Eventing Dressage Tests at the 2021 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During her session, Payne discussed reasonings behind certain movements, updates for clarity that were being made (updated tests have since been published and may be reviewed here), and even shared video demonstrations of certain tests to help attendees get a better understanding of what to expect this competition season. Watch Payne's presentations from Convention below:

During the presentation of the 2022 USEF Eventing Dressage Tests at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, changes were discussed to help further clarify the movement requirements in the tests. Marilyn Payne, chair of the Test Writing Task Force, worked with the USEF to clarify the language used within the movements, without substantive changes to the movements themselves.

US Equestrian (USEF) and the United States Eventing Association (USEA) have announced the publication of the new 2022 USEF Eventing Dressage Tests for Beginner Novice through Advanced which will be used from December 1, 2021 through November 30, 2025.

Nicole Brown is joined this week on the USEA Podcast by Marilyn Payne, who was the President of the Ground Jury at the 2016 Olympics, is a member of the FEI Eventing Committee, and has officiated at major championships all over the world, and Irish five-star eventer Sam Watson, who has represented Ireland at three FEI World Equestrian Games, to discuss ways you can improve your performance in the dressage ring.

All the FEI levels from CCI2* to CCI5* will have new dressage tests in 2020. FEI Judge Marilyn Payne discusses the new 2020 FEI dressage tests for 2020, focusing on the key movements in each test. There are several changes and new movements that have not been used before - Payne explains the new figures and what criteria the judges will be basing their scores on.

This week's episode features USEF "S" and FEI Level II eventing judge Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride and FEI and Grand Prix dressage judge Christian Landolt sharing their tips and tricks for how to get the most out of your dressage test, including common mistakes they see and ways to squeeze out a few extra points.

As April showers bring May flowers, the spring eventing season has gotten well underway all across the country. What better time to brush up on your dressage tests than the start of a new season? Thanks to Eventing Training Online, we have videos of all lower level dressage tests, complete with movements and directives, available to help you get ready to put those tests into action.