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.
Prix Caprilli
A Prix Caprilli test is a combination of jumping and dressage performed simultaneously in the same arena. It is named after Captain Federico Caprilli, an Italian cavalry instructor, who is credited with inventing the forward seat. A Prix Caprilli is a dressage test for horses with jumping experience, and is usually held for beginners or non-competitive riders. The number of jumps and their heights vary with test level, however the maximum height for jumps is 2 feet. Crossed poles are often used. Commonly seen in Europe and in Pony Club competition, Prix Caprilli tests offer the horse some variety and are a good test of obedience. The tests have the same movements as might be found in lower level dressage tests, with the added requirement for horse and rider to trot and/or canter over single jumps.
The judges will judge a Prix Caprilli the same as a normal dressage test that includes technical marks for the movement, impulsion, submission and riding. The emphasis is not on the jumping style of the horse, it is on the horse’s relaxation, obedience and evenness of pace. It is a dressage test that happens to have jumps in the way and the jumps should not disrupt the standard performance expected in a dressage test. To get good marks, the horse should be obedient and move in balance with a rhythmic tempo. Jumping the fences, or trotting over the poles, should be done smoothly with a minimum of disturbance to the rhythm.
A Prix Caprilli Test is to be ridden in a Snaffle bridle, and will be performed in 20×40 meters dressage arena. All trot work will be performed rising. The horse should be asked to change though the trot. Refusals and knock-downs will be penalized as an error of course with appropriate deduction of points. Knock-downs will be penalized at the judge’s discretion. In the case of a rail in the path, the judge will ring the bell for the rider to stop without penalty. After the jump is replaced, the bell will be rung again telling the rider to continue from where he stopped.
Prix Caprilli is to be judged for:
General Impressions:
A. Gaits (rhythm and clarity) and jumping style
B. Suppleness and balance (longitudinal and lateral, ability to shorten and lengthen)
C. Relaxation and Obedience (tempo, attention, confidence, harmony, acceptance of the bit)
D. Position and Seat of rider, correctness and effect of aids, timing to jumps
Judging a test:
A. The mark for each movement should first establish the fact of whether the movement is marginal (5 or below) or higher.
B. Accuracy (moderate) should be a factor only if the inaccuracy avoids the difficulty of the movement, i.e., a larger circle avoids the difficulty of a 10 meter circle. In a movement which must be carried out at a certain point of the arena it should be done at the moment when the competitor’s body is above this point, except in transitions where the horse approaches the letter from a line diagonal or perpendicular to the point where the letter is positioned. In this case, the transition must be done when the horse’s nose reaches the track at the letter so that the horse is straight in the transition.
C. If a problem appears once it may be treated lightly by the judge; if it appears successively he will score it more harshly each time, i.e., nodding, stumbling, shying, etc.
D. Grinding of the teeth and wringing of the tail are signs of tenseness or resistance.
E. A Test begins with the entry at A and ends after the final salute. The competitor should leave the arena in the way prescribed in the test. In low level tests, the competitor should leave the arena at “A” at a walk, on long or loose rein.
F. Judge may stop and restart a test due to some unusual circumstance (such as a rail down).
G Any resistance which prevents the continuation of the test longer than 20 seconds is punished by elimination.
H. All movements and certain transitions from one to another which have to be marked by the judge(s) are numbered on the judge’s sheets. They are marked 0 to 10, 0 being the lowest mark and 10 being the highest.
I. Unauthorized assistance is forbidden under penalty of elimination.
J. The execution of tests is not timed.
K. Total score is obtained by adding the total points.
Penalties for Prix Caprilli:
A. All refusals are treated as errors of course.
B. Knock-downs or errors of course are treated as errors of test with a deduction of one or two points at each occurrence, depending on severity.
Errors of Course:
1st error, 2 point deduction
2nd error, 4 point deduction
Reasons for Elimination:
A. Dress code violations
B. Use of illegal equipment
C. Unauthorized assistance
D. Three errors of the course or test
E. Resistance of longer than 20 seconds
F. Failure to wear competitor number
Required Tack:
Equipment rules are the same as for regular dressage classes, based on the test level. An English (Huntseat) saddle or a Dressage saddle is required. Because the test levels are low (such as Introductory, Training, First Level, Second Level), a Snaffle Bridle with cavesson noseband, dropped noseband, flash noseband, or combination of flash and dropped nosebands is required.
Optional:
White or conservative-color Saddle pads
Breastplate or crupper
Spurs without rowels
Prohibited Equipment:
Double bridles, martingales, bit guards, boots or bandages, blinkers, or other gadgets are strictly forbidden, under penalty of elimination.
Rider:
The dress code is a short (huntseat) riding coat of dark color or twead, 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. Gloves of conservative color are recommended. A whip, no longer than 47.2 inches, may be carried.
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.
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.
