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Welcome to Showdown International - Online Equestrian Competitions
Namast-hay!
HOGA or Yoga for Horses Suppleness Tests are uniquely designed especially for Showdown International competitors in collaboration with our amazing judge, Jenny Johnson.
The HOGA System
The HOGA Academy starts in January 2021
HOGA tests have been designed to help develop a more supple horse that has an elastic connection and flows with ease in all movements.
The main aim is for the horse to understand the aids and the lengthening and working through the neck whilst using the core muscle. The invisible and complex arrangement of internal “core” muscles controls the way a horse’s back functions and dictates the overall posture. A horse with a strong core and good posture will feel athletic and round underneath the rider, as if riding a slowly bouncing ball.
The process takes time as the horse’s body will need to acclimate to a new posture, however, if there is a tightness that seems to continue with degrees of tension, there may be underlying chronic pain in the back that should be identified and treated before following a programme with vigorous intent. With a wonderful blend of gentleness and focus, the principles behind these tests will hopefully be effective in helping your horse with the unique demands made upon his back and become the most supple and athletic version of itself. By conditioning areas that may be a little rusty, we can release the horse’s natural “dance” into every stride.
The bulk of the tests are in walk, the walk has a lot of action and it really helps to develop the horse.
The Tests
The system of tests are not just purely for competition means but as tools to develop suppleness and with that in mind a form of achievement levels have been devised to give encouragement and goals to work towards along with the competition aspect.
The tests have been designed to work more or less in a gradual development system, however, you can pick tests in any order and scores will be recorded and saved. You can visit and redo a test as many times as you like to improve your marks. (percentages are for each test not an accumulation or average)
Tests...
WALK TESTS---INTERMEDIATE BAND
WALK AND TROT TESTS---HIGHER BAND
WALK, TROT AND CANTER TESTS--- ADVANCED BAND
Level 1---Tests 1 to 5
RUBY AWARD = 65% to 69%
BRONZE AWARD = 70% to 74%
SILVER AWARD = 75% to 79%
GOLD AWARD = 80% and above
Level 2--- Tests 6 to 10
RUBY AWARD = 65% to 69% plus ruby/bronze/silver/gold from level 1
BRONZE AWARD = 70% to 74% plus bronze/silver/gold from level 1
SILVER AWARD = 75% to 79% plus silver/gold award from level 1
GOLD AWARD = 80% and above plus gold award level 1
Level 3--- Tests 11 to 15
RUBY AWARD = 65% to 69% plus ruby/bronze/silver/gold from level 2
BRONZE AWARD = 70% to 74% plus bronze/silver/gold from level 2
SILVER AWARD = 75% to 79% plus silver/gold award from level 2
GOLD AWARD = 80% and above plus gold award level 2
Level 4--- Tests 16 to 20
RUBY MASTER'S AWARD = 65% to 69% plus ruby/bronze/silver/gold from level 3
BRONZE MASTER'S AWARD = 70% to 74% plus bronze/silver/gold from level 3
SILVER MASTER'S AWARD = 75% to 79% plus silver/gold award from level 3
GOLD MASTER'S AWARD = 80% and above plus gold award level 3
All the above levels run for intermediate ( All walk), Higher ( all walk and all walk and trot tests ) and Advanced ( all the walk, walk and trot and walk, trot canter tests )
SUPREME GOLD HOGA MASTER
In addition to the Gold Master’s award---
Five tests with scores 85% or above in any test will be awarded SUPREME GOLD HOGA MASTER.
SUPREME ELITE HOGA GRAND MASTER
There are then the additional 5 Elite tests.
HOGA GRAND MASTER AWARD - 2 elite tests( 70%+) plus GOLD HOGA MASTER
SUPREME ELITE HOGA GRAND MASTER - Complete all tests to gold standard and all elite tests (70% +)