HELP ME GUIDE – Virtual Horse Sport

VIDEO GUIDES

Find & Purchase Show

Each VHS Event and Coaching is listed in the menu, home page or premium page.

Watch the video to find all the available shows upcoming:

Videoing your ride the correct way is the key to getting great feedback and scores.
Make sure to review the rules before taking this step.

Below is the highlights of filming keys. You can see more detailed view < HERE >

1. LOCATION ! Film your ride from the perspective of the judge. Always at the letter C.

2. Keep in mind the sun

Natural light where the ride is fully visible at all times.
Point the camera away from the sun.

3. How to position your smart phone : Use landscape, not portrait:

4. Always use a sign at the beginning of the ride (See rules)

5. Watch the Zoom:
When filming, remember you are the eyes of the judge. Zooming in is ok, if not done too much. The abilty of the judge to measure accuracy depends on if they can see the entire space, such as a circle. A good filming job, means the best possible scoring. If the judge can not see you, the video is too dark, wrong angle or too far away, a score of 5 is about as best of they can give you. Good film means best possible scores and suggestions.

Samples of good and poor video is shown here

6. Equipment Check – End of Ride.
Staring on January 1, 2023, all ride must before an equipment check in order to be eligible for the VHS Championships. To fulfill this requirement: As soon as the test is finished, the camera must circle the horse and rider showing equipment and attire. Following equipment check, the rider will dismount, in front of the camera and drop the bit of the horse so it can be recorded.

Video, showing the recommended equipment check, performed by USEF Judge Ida Norris, can be found here: https://youtu.be/04Gc_8WZ81o

WESTERN DRESSAGE RIDERS DESIRING WDAA POINTS
This style of equipment check is required for all rides desiring WDAA online show points.

CLASSICAL/EVENTING/PARA/PRIX Riders
For classical riders, it is recommended, however if riders are uncomfortable with dropping the bit, just videoing the sides of the horses mouth, showing as much of the bit as possible, will be accepted.

Filling out your entry form is all done online. After your purchase, a blank entry form will appear under your account profile. There is ONE entry form per ride. This entry form will also tell you the status of the entry, if you have already submitted your information.

See the Entry form in action:

Once your ride has been reviewed and checked by the Virtual Horse Sport Staff, you will receive an email and a text message, with the results of your ride. The fun does not stop there. You can login and watch your ride movement by movement to see what the judge saw.

Watch the ride results as seen on the site:

High Score is determined based on the highest overall score, regardless of level or riding style. High Score will always receive a high point ribbon, digital ribbon for framing and prizes based on the sponsors of the show.

Some past prizes have been:

Dressage Extensions $25 Gift Certificate
Virtual Horse Sport Cap
Virtual Horse Sport Pens
Virtual Horse Sport T-shirts
Virtual Horse Sport Winter sweater caps

Many shows will also send out digital ribbons for classes that contain 3 or more riders in the same test and division.

Unless otherwise specified, these competitions are not good for USDF/USEF/FEI awards or team qualifications. At this point in time, they are not recognized by the USDF/USEF/FEI and are considered schooling shows, with one exception: Western Dressage Association of America, does recongize submitted shows..

The Western Dressage Association is the only acceptation to date. Online shows that are western dressage qualified, will present what the show ID number for each show and will be shown the the Western Dressage Association website.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

Riding horses is a dangerous and subjective sport that can cause critical bodily injury and even death for both horse and human. User’s of this online service acknowledge this risk and shall hold harmless: All Show Sponsors, VirtualHorseSport.com and it’s parent company, Multimedia Designs, LLC, Multimedia Designs owner, officers staff, or members from any injuries or losses resulting participating in the events and services on this site: VirtualHorseSport.com

Persons under the age of 18, need to gain parental or guardian approval PRIOR entering any show.

VirtualHorseSport.com internal test format for all tests, follows horse movements of the USDF, WDAA, WE or FEI tests, but does not use the exact same descriptions or layout . No Directives will be supplied. No printing of results is supplied. This site uses 100% user interface and digital only media. Show & Coaching results are kept for the current show yearly calendar and then, MAY be deleted.

Unless otherwise specifically stated, all tests performed on this site via video, are considered schooling shows and will not be recognized by USDF, USEF, FEI , WDAA, WE or regional organizations world-wide.

All details for using this site are in Terms Of Use

STEP BY STEP WRITTEN GUIDES

WRITTEN GUIDE MENU BY CATAGORY

“CAN’T I JUST EMAIL YOU?”
YES. After your purchase, just email us with your name, horse name and test you are riding, and a Vimeo/YouTube link OR request a Google Drive access, then we can do the rest.

HOW TO ENTER A SHOW OR CLINIC - A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

The Virtual Horse Sport system is based on the #1 eCommerce package woocommerce and interfacing with multiple payment options, such as Stripe, Vimeo and PayPal.

Below is a step by step guide to how to purchase and enter any Virtual Horse Sport Event.

Purchase the Show or Ride & Review Coaching you would like to participate in.
Do you want a Virtual Show? => CLICK HERE TO REVIEW PREMIUMS
Are you a western Dressage Rider wanting coaching? => CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Are you a classical Dressage Rider wanting coaching? => CLICK HERE TO PURHASE
Are you a Para Dressage rider wanting coaching? => CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

2. DID YOU WANT RIDE COACHING? If not go back to step 1 for show entry

Unlike shows, in ride coaching, you can pick which judge you will like help from.
From the product page, scroll down until you find “Available Judges“. Pick the judge you would like help from.

3. Click on Add Cart

5. You have now added a show or clinic to your shopping cart. This may be repeated for as many shows or clinics you like.
6. If you are done with adding shows or clinics, press the View Cart button.

4. You may now review what shows or clinics you have added, as in the example below. You cart will look different.

5. Click on “PROCEED TO CHECKOUT“
6. Fill out your billing information. There are 3 methods of payment: Stripe, PayPal or you may mail a check.
7. Click on “PLACE ORDER“
8. After your payment has been process, you will automatically be taken to a page where all your entry forms will be listed. If you are not ready to fill this out, or don’t have the video completed, don’t worry. You can access these forms later.

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR ENTRY FORMS - STEP BY STEP

There are 4 ways to gain access to each of your entry forms:

OPTION A) ON THE PAGE YOUR ARE TAKEN TO AFTER PAYMENT

It will look something like this. Your entries will differ.

OPTION B) INSIDE YOUR WOOCOMMERCE RECIPT

It will look something like this. You entries will differ.

OPTION C) FROM YOUR ACCOUNT PAGE

It will look something like this. Your entries will differ.
A direct link to this area of your profile is here: https://virtualhorsesport.com/my-account/myEntryforms/

OPTION D) ENTRY EMAIL

As a backup method, the system will send you an email that contains the same information for linking to your entry forms.

THE ENTRY FORM - A BREAK DOWN

This form is used to identify to the show office what class or coaching session you would like to participate in.

1) Uploading the video

The video upload has been simplified into 3 different options.
1) Google drag and drop
2) Using a public YouTube or Vimeo Video link
3) A direct load to the server
4) Request a direct link to google drive.

Pick which method is easiest for you. Most people choose option #1. A direct google drive drop

2) YOUR INFORMATION

Enter in this section of the form, your information about yourself, your horse, which test and what riding status you presently are considered. (Professional, Amateur, Junior, or Young Rider). While not important to any schooling or WDAA, it will help the judge.

3) CHOOSE YOUR JUDGE

If you purchased a schooling show or competition go to form step 4. This field will be missing.

Coaching sessions have no placement in shows and are used by rider to get insight into how they can improve their performances. The coaching sessions offer a lot more training tips, that a judge is allowed to suggest in a competition. In these events, you may choose which judge you would like to help you.

4. YOUR ARENA

Judges are watching for accuracy, but since they are not physically present, knowing the size and shape of the arean you are riding in, helps with accuracy comments. The arena does not have to be perfect or even regulation for coaching. Competition, it needs to be as close as possible. Any variations, please describe.

READY TO ENTER? HIT THE SEND ENTRY BUTTON!

You have reached the finish line. Hit the Send Entry button and you are DONE!

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE FINISHED YOUR ENTRY

HOW TO FILM YOUR RIDE

Filming your ride is extremely important. That film is the only tool the judge has to giving you correct scores and feedback. But filming does not have to be complicated! Your iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Tablet with a camera, is more than acceptable for filming your ride.

Arena size should be a close approximation for online competitions. If you can not get that, make notes on your entry form.

Follow the Step by Step guideline and get the most out of your ride.

STEP 1 : WHERE TO FILM YOUR RIDE

Take a Video on your mobile phone, tablet or video camera
We recommend 3 different position: At the letter C . Natural light or a very brightly lite indoor arena, where the ride is fully visible at all times. See example below.

STEP 2 : WHERE IS THE SUN?

Natural light where the ride is fully visible at all times.
Point the camera away from the sun.

STEP 3: HOW TO POSITION YOUR PHONE

Video should be taken in Landscape not Portrait.

BAD ANGLE : PORTRAIT

GOOD ANGLE : LANDSCAPE

STEP 4: REVIEW - EXAMPLES OF GOOD & BAD QUALITY VIDEO

In order for the judge to see you ride and give you the best possible evaluation, use these pictures as guides of good quality and poor quality video. Always do a test run, taking some video of the arena and reviewing it, before you ride.

Superior example of filming your ride and getting the best possible points

GOOD POSITION.. NEEDS ZOOM

Taken with a iPhone 6

POOR QUALITY

This picture quality is almost not viewable. This rider would be asked to re-film.

SAMPLE OF WELL FILMED RIDE

GOOD QUALITY

Taken with a iPhone 11, this shows that based on the movement, the camera can point to the rider, as long as movements, such as a circle, are shown in perspective

NOT BEST ANGLE or ZOOM

The light is super on this film, but it is hard for the judge to see perspective. Keep filming from the “judges box”. Not to the left or right. The zoom should also be improved. In general, straight lines is ok to zoom, It is circles and advanced lateral work that zoom can lose the perspective for the judge.

GOOD USE OF ZOOM

Just close enough, without losing perspective.

STEP 5: HOLD UP YOUR SIGN!

To keep all the videos organized and to assure that a video has been recorded for this particular event. The person taking the video should hold up a sign in front of the phone or camera, indicating your name, horse name, date and test to be ridden. Below is example. Nothing fancy….

SIGN EXAMPLE PRIOR TO STARTING RIDE

STEP 6: WATCH THE ZOOM

BE CAREFUL OF THE ZOOM….BUT STILL SEE THE RIDER!
Some zoom is ok, especially when the rider is going on straight lines. The only time you have to watch zoom is when the rider is doing circles. Be careful! Remember judges only have the video to see the accuracy of the ride. If you zoom in too much, when the rider is circling, filling the screen with only the horse, that perspective is lost, when both sides of the arena can not bee seen.

STEP 7: CONTINUE FILMING UNTIL THE FINAL SALUTE.

Unless you are riding in a WDAA recognized show and doing a western test. Your ride is now complete.
If you need WDAA points, continue to step 8.

STEP 8: REQUIRED ONLY FOR WDAA QUALIFYING RIDES

The Western Dressage Association, enables riders to qualify for national championships based on a points system, including online showing. To receive these points, a filming protocol MUST be followed. Entry and filming practices are exactly the same as VirtualHorseSport.com BUT, at the end of every test you must also add the following:

1. The camera must approach the horse and film the entire length and width of the horse on both sides, without a single video cut/edit.

2. Continuing to video, without a cut, the rider must dismount and drop the bit from the horses mouth, while filming. Show the bit on the video.

3. You may stop the video now.

Failure to do these items, will result in rides being disqualified from WDAA points. Effectively, your ride will be disqualified from the recognized section of any VirtualHorseSport.com competitions that are WDAA recognized.

Good links to review are as follows:
USEF/WDAA Attire and Equipment Guide
USEF-Licensed and WDAA Recognized Show Comparisons
WDAA Recognized Online Show Guidelines for Exhibitors

HOW LONG DO YOU KEEP THE RIDES ONLINE?

Rides are kept for a show season ending in November of the show year. For example, if you are showing November 2019 through October 2020, your rides shall be available, online Until November 1, 2020 or longer.

YOUR RESULTS

Getting your results comes in 3 different ways.

By Text message: Get your overall scores and points.
This also let’s you know immediately, when your detailed scores are available.
By Email: Get your move by move scores via email.
Review your scores while watching the videos.
This also shows you your percentages and how mistakes can effect your overall score.

1) ACCESS YOUR ONLINE RESULTS IN YOUR PROFILE

Accessing your results in your profile is the best of all worlds. Watch you own ride and view the judges comments, suggestions (coaching only) and scores in a real time setting. Each of the rows is color coded, giving you feedback as to the status of each ride.

To open your ride, click on the bar. Your video and score results will display.

2) TWO WAYS TO VIEW YOUR VIDEO

There are two ways to view your video. The video on top and results underneath…OR Side by Side. How you do that is your choice.

3) SORT YOUR RESULTS

You may also sort this list by test or in the order that you submitted the ride.