The ‘Degree of Difficulty’ Mark Explained
What is the degree of difficulty mark, and how can we improve it?
The degree of difficulty mark looks at the number, and difficulty, of well calculated risks in a test. There are many ways to improve the degree of difficulty mark, such as:
· Performing more difficult required movements, such as those carrying a coefficient, more often but not excessively
· Showing more than the required minimum, e.g. in the flying changes or piaffe steps
· Executing movements on lines not supported by the boards (e.g. on the quarter line or centre line)
· Riding more demanding transitions (e.g. canter to passage)
· Riding difficult combinations of movements (e.g. halfpass right to shoulder in left)
The most important thing is that you perform the difficult movements well – if you cannot execute something difficult you are better off not showing it than showing it with a mistake. It can be very expensive to have a mistake – the technical mark for the movement will be low (as it was not performed well), the degree of difficulty mark will be lower, and the score for harmony between the horse and rider will also be lowered. If you can confidently perform the difficult movements at home then absolutely give them a shot in the freestyle – with great risk comes great reward!
If you have just moved up a level and are looking to build confidence then I would recommend opting for an easier musical, at least for the first part of the season. If you’re confident at the level it can be a great idea to make the pattern more difficult, to show off your confidence and skill at the level. To get a high degree of difficulty mark it ironically must look easy!
The degree of difficulty mark is arguably linked to the choreography mark – it is difficult to create an interesting pattern without any difficulty, though not impossible. Typically, a difficult test ridden well will score highly in both the technical and artistic sections, whereas an easy (or uninventive) test ridden well will score highly in the technical section but not so much in the artistic section. In most cases the artistic score will be (and should be) higher than the technical score, if this is not the case for you on a regular basis it would be worth looking at changing the music and/or the choreography to improve your scores.
Stephen Clarke (FEI 5* Judge) gives the following score guidelines for the degree of difficulty mark:
Marks of 5.5 and below would be warranted if one or more of the following occurred: If the compulsory minimum number of steps or changes were not shown e.g. in piaffe or changes; if compulsory movements were left out; if movements were shown above the standard allowed or the horse was over faced.
Marks of 6 and 6.5 would be warranted if the compulsory movements were performed according to the minimum requirements of the freestyle test for that level, as would higher risk performances but with some technical mistakes. The technical marks would have to be in the satisfactory range.
Marks of 7 and 7.5 would be appropriate if the compulsory movements were performed in more difficult ways than asked in the tests at that level and/or when the more difficult movements are performed more often. The technical marks would have to be in the fairly good range.
Marks in the range of 8 and upwards would be appropriate when compulsory movements were performed in more difficult ways than asked for in the tests at that standard and/or more often, or combinations of demanding exercises performed with ease. The technical marks would at least have to be in the good range.
Nicole x
