D Rally |
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This is an athletic event involving 3 phases; Dressage, Cross Country and Stadium Jumping. For many members, this will be their first competition involving such a variety of skills. At the D Rally there are three levels: D, D1, and D2 so that riders only compete against others with the same Pony Club level. The dressage test is conducted in an area with only a small barrier about 1 foot high. There might not be any enclosure outside that barrier. The D test involves halt, walk, and trot only. The D1 and D2 tests also require the canter. The cross country test is based on foxhunting and for the D1 and D2 levels is held in the open field with no enclosures. The course usually includes hills, paths through wooded areas, and open fields. At the D level, the cross country test is set up in an enclosed field; however it will be a large field, usually with hills and hollows and possibly with some bush area. At all levels, the obstacles are very solid (rock fences, fallen trees, ditches) and are not at all similar to the easily knocked down arena fences most young riders start with. None of the D level achievement tests challenge the riders in a similar way and all competitors should get specific instruction in handling their mount over solid open field jumps before attempting a Rally at any level . The stadium jumping phase uses knockdown jumps similar to those used by most instructors; however the size of jumps and complexity of the course will be more challenging. D riders will be expected to jump a total of about 18 obstacles (about 10 in a large field) at heights of up to 2 feet high with a top spread of 2 feet and a bottom spread of 2’6” at a speed of 300 meters/min. Although cantering is not required, most mounts will go into a canter when on a jumping course and the rider should be able to handle that situation. D1’s will be asked to jump about 20 (about 12 in the open) obstacles up to 2’6” in height with a top spread of 2’6” and a bottom spread of 3’0” at a speed of 350 meters/min. D2’s will be expected to handle about 24 Jumps (14 in the open) at up to 2’9” high with a top spread of 2’9” and a bottom spread of 3’9” at a speed of 375 meters/min.
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