IMEHA (International Model Equine Hobbyists Association) was an online photo showing site that existing until 2018. Included on the site were these guidebooks for judging and showing model horses in Performance classes. MEPSA has obtained permission to share the info contained in the guides.
Musical Free Style (Kur) in Competition Dressage
Musical free style (Kur) competition levels are first level through grand prix. The horse and rider team perform a judged ride that changes the order of the mandatory movements and paces to that desired by the rider matched to music of their choice. This is called a “musical free style” (Kur) ride or test.
The design of the free style ride itself has an added scoring section within the test as part of what is called “artistic impression”. These collective marks carry a coefficient of 4! They include; choreography, use of the arena x 4, degree of difficulty, calculated risks and inventiveness x 4, and Music and interpretation of the music x 4. The one hard fast rule that cannot be overlooked is that at any level performing movements not required of that level but of a level higher than that shown is not allowed and may cause disqualification.
Carringal French Cuffs owned by Rosemary Simeon.
Movement: Medium Trot at H
*Note: The reason for the appearance of the loss of a firmer “direct contact of rein” is that the horse
has turned it’s head and there is now some slight slack in the rein on the left side rein.
Music: Ravels Bolero
Carringal Singing Incognito owned by Rosemary Simeon.
Movement: Passage at K
Music: Torna a Surriento
Musical freestyle, Kurs, 1st – Grand Prix Entry Requirements:
Required Tack:
An English (Huntseat) saddle or a Dressage saddle is required based on the specific test level depicted (Huntseat or Dressage saddle for 1st or 2nd, Dressage saddle for levels above 2nd).
A Snaffle Bridle with cavesson noseband, dropped noseband, flash noseband, or combination of flash and dropped nosebands (can be padded) OR a Double Bridle with bridoon and curb with curb chain is required based on the specific test level depicted (Snaffle bridle for 1st or 2nd, Snaffle or double bridle for 3rd or 4th, Double bridle for levels above 4th.)
Optional Equipment:
White or conservative-color Saddle pads
Breastplate or crupper (4th level and lower)
Spurs without rowels (4th level and lower — spurs are required above 4th level)
Leg wraps
Prohibited Equipment:
Pelham bits, martingales, bit guards, blinkers, or other gadgets are strictly forbidden, under penalty of elimination. Snaffle bridles are prohibited for levels above 4th.
Rider Attire:
The attire required is based on the test level depicted. For levels up to 4th, the dress code is a short (huntseat) riding coat of dark color with tie, choker or stock tie, white or light-colored breeches or jodhpurs, boots or jodhpur boots, a hunt cap or riding hat with a hard shell. A Shadbelly, tailed coat with Top Hat is permitted for 4th level.
For levels above 4th, the dress code is Shadbelly, tail coat of black or dark blue color, with tie, choker or stock tie white, off-white, or same color as coat, white or light-colored breeches, black riding boots, and a Top Hat that is black or the same color as the coat. Men may also wear a short coat with a bowler hat. Gloves of white, off-white or same color as the coat are required. Spurs without rowels are mandatory.
Members of the Armed Services and police units may ride in the uniform of their service at any level. Riders choosing to wear Armed Services or police uniform must wear the appropriate military/police cap or hat for their branch of service, or protective headgear.
Entry Requirements:
A dressage arena (indoor or outdoor) and visible letter.
A description of the test and movement.
The name of the music.
DRESSAGE ENTRANTS PLEASE NOTE:
The above list of Tack and Attire requirements is merely a simplified version.
FOR COMPLETE RULES, DETAILS AND SPECIFICS please see Dressage Main Page, Dressage Overview,
Dressage – the Value of Knowledge, the USEF Dressage Rulebook, FEI Rulebook and the USDF Rulebook listed above in the top menu.
Movements For Freestyle Entry:
Following is a list of dressage movements (and some combinations and transitions) specifically permitted and forbidden at each level.
FIRST LEVEL
Clearly Forbidden:
Rein back, shoulder-in, travers, renvers, half-pass, flying changes, turn on haunches, or canter or walk pirouette, piaffe, passage.
Clearly Allowed:
Counter-canter (any configuration), zigzag leg yield, leg yield along wall (like shoulder-in), lengthen trot or canter on 20-meter circle, canter serpentine, walk-canter-walk-canter, halt-canter-halt-canter, 10 meter circle or smaller at trot, 15 meter circle or smaller at canter, all figures including circles regardless of size.
SECOND LEVEL
Clearly Forbidden:
Half-pass, flying changes, canter pirouette, piaffe, passage.
Clearly Allowed:
Full and double turn on haunches, medium canter and trot on 20-meter circle, medium canter on diagonal, halt-canter-haltcanter, 10 meter circle or smaller at canter.
THIRD LEVEL
Clearly Forbidden:
Tempi changes (4s, 3s, 2s, 1s), canter pirouette, piaffe, passage.
Clearly Allowed:
Everything that is not clearly forbidden, including: half-pass zigzag in trot, half-pass zigzag in canter with flying changes, full and double walk pirouettes.
FOURTH LEVEL
Clearly Forbidden:
Full canter pirouette, tempi changes (2s and 1s), piaffe, passage.
Clearly Allowed:
Everything that is not clearly forbidden.
- A freestyle may include all elements and movements EXCEPT dressage movements found only in tests above the level of that entered or declared.
- Any figures, patterns, combination, or transitions composed of elements permitted in the declared level are permitted. There are no limitations on shape or combination of figures, even if the resulting configuration is found in higher levels.
FEI PRIX ST. GEORGES THROUGH GRAND PRIX
Follow FEI Prix St. Georges for Young Riders, Intermediate I, and Grand Prix freestyle score sheets for what is forbidden and allowed.
TEST PORTIONS WHICH INVOLVE ENTERING, EXITING, OR HALT/ SALUTE THE JUDGE:
Are to be shown ONLY in Dressage All Others, Awards, Horse Entering, Horse Exiting Arena, etc.