NAWD Freestyle Guidelines
The nitty gritty details
All-Around (any discipline) points will be awarded when riders demonstrate versatility by including movements or elements that are not included in Dressage or Western Dressage Tests.
Some examples may be: gaming patterns, reining moves, trail obstacles, cutting, cattle working, mounted shooting, carrying a flag, roping, garrocha, working equitation obstacles, etc. These are just a few examples.
Rules:
- NAWD Freestyles may be performed with or without music. *If music is used for virtual rides, place the music player next to the video camera with the volume loud enough for the rider to hear.
- These tests do NOT need to be performed within a Dressage court. Please use a safe, flat, level area.
- Costumes are allowed but not required.
- Any type of tack, saddle or equipment is acceptable.
- A time limit of 6 minutes will apply. If the rider goes over the limit, 2 points will be deducted from the total score.
- Tests are written along with the different Dressage levels (Intro, Basic, Level 1-3) with required maneuvers remaining with the level of each test. Although NAWD Freestyle tests allow the rider the freedom to perform maneuvers, patterns or obstacles as they wish, please try to remain within the skill level of each test. There are Prohibited Maneuvers Above the Level listed on each test that will result in a 2 point deduction per maneuver if performed during the test.
- Rider must submit written description of each maneuver in the entire routine for the judge to have on hand when scoring.
Scoring:
NAWD Tests are judged under the NAWD Objective Judging Scale. This scale provides consistency and uniformity across NAWD Six Feet on the Ground, Western Dressage, NAWD Dressage on a Dime, Ranch Horse Western Dressage, and NAWD All-Around Freestyle.
| Not Executed | 6 – Satisfactory |
| 1 – Very Bad | 7 – Fairly good |
| 2 – Bad | 8 – Good |
| 3 – Fairly Bad | 9 – Very Good |
| 4 – Insufficient | 10 – Excellent |
| 5 – Sufficient |
You might ask–“How is it possible for NAWD to provide consistency across these different categories?” It IS possible because although the tests are different, we have connected our judging system to the training scale, which we believe that; when combined with a solid understanding of equine movement and bio-mechanics, provides the foundation for all horsemanship activities.
The NAWD Objective Judging System does not replace the FEI judging program. Rather, it provides more detail for the rider regarding what they need to do to receive a score. This system demystifies the judging process and ties the word meanings of the numbers directly to the training scale.
A PDF with this judging system is available for download and viewing.
NAWD Objective Judging System 122015
NAWD wishes to thank Dr. McLean for his contributions to this discussion. Andrew McLean, PhD is CEO, Equitation Science International (esi-education.com) and an Honorary Associate, University of Sydney, Honorary Fellow, International Society for Equitation Science (ISES, equitationscience.com) and senior Section editor, Journal of Animal Welfare.