Great Adventure Drill Team

Mounted Drill Team Competition

Dunnellon, FL
November 20, 2010
JUDGING CRITERIA

ENTERTAINMENT SCORE SHEET

All scoring will be done on a 5 point scale: 0 = Did Not Perform, 1 = Poor to 5 = Excellent.

1) EXECUTION OF DRILL – 5 Possible Points

a. This is based on the criteria of spacing, alignment, timing, coordination, and choreography. Equal
spacing between horses should be maintained at all times, as unequal spacing indicates a lack of proper
timing and synchronization.

b. Is the design or plan of the movements (drill patterns) fluid and smooth? When riders receive a
command, does the team move as a unit? Is the cohesiveness of the unit maintained? Are the lines
straight and the circles evenly round? Is the timing on target with no racing or stopping by riders to
make their positions? Are the transitions between maneuvers good? Do the riders respond promptly to
whistle commands?

2) SHOWMANSHIP – 5 Possible Points

a. Was the team’s performance entertaining to you as a judge and the audience? Did the team smile and
seem to be enjoying themselves as a unit? Is most of the drill centered within the “designated” area or
the whole area of the arena for viewing ease of the audience?

3) COSTUMING – 5 Possible Points

a. Are the costumes/uniforms neat, pressed and clean? Are there any loose threads, stains, rips or tears?
Are the colors well-coordinated? Do the colors coordinate well with the horse’s tack? If a theme is
chosen, do the costumes enhance the theme? Is the riders’ footwear consistent in type or color?

b. Note:
i. If a team intentionally dresses a portion of their unit differently than the rest, that should not be
misconstrued as non-uniformity.
ii. Footwear does not have to be uniform in style.
iii. If a team should dress all of their riders in blue shirts, then the shirts should match exactly, with
no color or style fluctuation.

4) MUSIC – 5 Possible Points

a. Does the music enhance the performance? Is it appropriate to the rhythm of the drill patterns? Does
the team finish their ride after the music has ended?

b. Note:
i. Either instrumental or lyrical music is permitted in all divisions and events.

5) DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY OF DRILL MOVES – 5 Possible Points

a. Many drill moves go against the horses’ natural instinct – such as any maneuver requiring individual
horses or groups of horses to: (1) come towards each other at a high rate of velocity, (2) to pass closely
at an accelerated rate of speed, (3) to turn as a unit and, (4) to maneuver in close contact ( i.e. stirrup-
to-stirrup or sandwiched together).

Page 1 of 4
GADT 2010
 Great Adventure Drill Team
Mounted Drill Team Competition
Dunnellon, FL
November 20, 2010
JUDGING CRITERIA

b. Does the team perform with props (flags, lances, spears, swords, etc.) making it a more difficult drill to
execute? Does the team perform in close order precision as a unit? Does the team execute unique
drills? Does the team perform drills at a high velocity?

c. Note:
i. It is more complex to execute a drill pattern correctly when done at a faster tempo. The
precision as a unit should NOT be sacrificed for speed. Velocity is to be used ONLY to
compliment and add to the “crowd appeal” factor.
ii. Flags can be carried in either hand and are NOT to touch the ground. The poles must be
perpendicular to the ground and the elbow flexed at a right angle. The eagle ornament (if
present) on top of the pole faces forward and the flag is to be unfurled at ALL times. The
national flag leads and supersedes all other flags. The national flag is ALWAYS kept to the
right in rows, columns, or in a single formation. Other flags, such as state/provincial, team flag,
and/or past award flags, can be posted during maneuvers; but the national flag is duly honored
by being kept to the right and posted in the lead formation.

6) SYMMETRY AND MOTION OF DRILLS – 5 Possible Points

a. Are the methods used by the riders symmetrical in the continuity and transition from one drill pattern to
the next?

7) ORIGINALITY - 5 Possible Points

a. Does the team incorporate maneuvers that are new or unique? Do their costumes or props present
something new and exciting?

The Entertainment Judge will be responsible for timing of all drills.

Page 2 of 4
GADT 2010
 Great Adventure Drill Team
Mounted Drill Team Competition
Dunnellon, FL
November 20, 2010
JUDGING CRITERIA

EQUITATION SCORE SHEET

(1 Lowest – 5 Highest)

1) ENTRY – 5 Possible Points

a. Entry should be orderly, while setting the stage for the upcoming performance and getting the attention
of the Judges and the audience. Originality of entry should be taken into account.

2) RIDER EQUITATION – 5 Possible Points

a. Does the rider have proper seat for their particular riding discipline? Are the rider’s focused on the team
as a unit, or only on themselves? Do the riders have proper posture and capable riding abilities? Do the
riders use proper leg cues and some rein aids? Do the riders demonstrate overuse of whistle
commands?

3) RIDER CONTROL – 5 Possible Points

a. Do the riders properly execute their turns and changes of transition (from the walk, to the jog, to the
canter, gallop optional) in the appropriate order with the others as a unit? Are the riders able to give
commands to their horses in the proper manner and do the horses obey? Do any horses exhibit bucking
or rearing in response to a rider’s instruction? Do the riders exhibit excessive use of whips, reins or
spurs?

4) USE OF DIFFERENT GAITS (WALK, TROT & CANTER) – 5 Possible Points

a. The team should show use of walk, trot and canter at some point in their drill routine?

5) ARENA USAGE & MARKERS – 5 Possible Points

a. A team may designate a smaller space within the arena to use as their “designated” arena. The area
marked off must be in the form of recognizable markers (cones, scenery props, etc.) If a team does not
mark their field in some manner, the Judge may assume that the team will be using the all of the arena.
A deduction will be given for horse/rider that goes outside of a marked area – unless the maneuver calls
for such.

6) COMPETENCY AND TEMPERAMENT OF HORSE – 5 Possible Points

a. Does the horse exhibit aggressive behavior towards its teammates, such as biting, kicking, or pinning its
ears in irritation? Does the horse obey when asked to perform various drill maneuvers, changes of gait,
and other rider commands? Does the horse perform transitions smoothly and pick up proper gaits
when asked? Once the gait for a particular pattern has been established, does the horse break gait when
he/she should not?

7) EXIT – 5 Possible Points

a. The exit should be orderly while still continuing with the flow of the drill. Originality of exit should be
considered.

Page 3 of 4
GADT 2010
 Great Adventure Drill Team
Mounted Drill Team Competition
Dunnellon, FL
November 20, 2010
JUDGING CRITERIA

PENALITIES

1) EXCEEDING TIME LIMIT – Minus 5 Points

a. Drill time is not to exceed 15 minutes.

2) FIELDING LESS RIDERS – Minus 2 Points

a. Deduction if a team, for whatever reason, is forced to perform from the beginning of the allotted time
with less than the intended number of riders.

3) HORSE/RIDER LEAVING ARENA – Minus 2 Points

a. Deduction if any horse/rider combination leaves the arena after the beginning of the drill, and at any
point during the allotted time.

4) RIDER MISHAPS (Falls, Collisions, Loss of Paraphernalia) – Minus up to 5 Points

a. Do any of the riders or horses fall? Do any of the riders or horses collide with each other? Does the
team have to regroup due to falls, collisions, severe tack breakages or medical emergencies?

b. Do any of the riders lose a hat or part of their costume? Do any of the horses experience breakage (i.e.
breast collar, cinch/girth, saddle rigging) or loss of any tack (i.e. leg wraps or costumes)?

CHANGES TO A SCORE

1) Changes made on a score sheet by a Judge must be initialed in ink.

2) It is the Judges responsibility to do a final check and make sure that all changes are indeed initialed in ink.
3) Once score sheets are checked, the scores are considered final and unchangeable.

Page 4 of 4
GADT 2010