Basically it means that the horse has competed in Dressage or Driving or Show Driving up to a certain proficiency. In this I will focus mostly on the riding dressage because I ride and am more familiar with the level that the horse must compete.
Europe the KFPS Dressage Ridden Sport title is earned by getting 5 points or 5 tests completed over a score of 60%. The tests that they are allowed to do in Europe is Z1 test 23, 24, 25, and 26.If they compete in the US they are required to do Third level Test 1 with 5 scores over 60 points
Now lets look into that further.
USDF/USEF Third Level Test 1 (2019 test HERE) has extended & collected gaits, Shoulder in, Half pass, turn on haunches, rein back, turn on haunches, Flying changes.
NOW for the EU versions (see this link for current tests or google the z1 tests Z TESTS)
Z1 test 23 has extended & collected gaits, shoulder in, half pass, rein back, SIMPLE changes. NO flying change, NO counter canter NO turn on haunches....Z1 26 has extended & collected gaits, shoulder in, half pass, rein back, turn on haunches. counter canter, SIMPLE change. NO flying change
what does that mean to you as a buyer or competitor. IF you buy a sport status horse from EU and you are thinking they will have 3rd level test 1 skills WRONG. you have to specifically ask the seller to provide you video or test results with the counter canter and the flying changes or there is no guarantee that they know how to do that. List of international dressage levels (HERE)
It would be most logical to have the US requirements brought down to 2nd level where the Z1 23-26 is actually at. BUT what that also means is that if you are buying a horse that needs sport status and sport status title is important to you. Have that horse test up to sport title in EU before shipping them to the US because earning that title is easier for the horse in EU.
I have been working with a few organizations in the US to try to get them to administer the Z1 23-26 tests in the USA for the breeds that can get sport status for their associations. I will also continue to work with FHANA to try to get those methods approved by using licensed credited judges and programs. Please stay tuned. IF you would like to get your horse a sport title with a Z1 23-26 test please message me on facebook Allison
Click here in case there are changes to the FHANA rules.
FHANA INFORMATION and TESTS
