Competitor guide
How to film your entry
A judge can only mark what they can see. These are the practical steps that make the difference between a valid, well-judged entry and a wasted one.
- 01
Position the camera
For ridden tests, film from a fixed position centred behind the entrance short side, with the full centre line in view. For in-hand and groundwork, film from a fixed position where the whole working space is visible.
- 02
Keep it continuous
The test must be recorded in one continuous take from before the first movement until after the final salute or halt. Cuts, edits, joins, speed changes and slow motion invalidate the entry.
- 03
Frame the whole horse
Horse and rider or handler must remain fully in frame throughout. A little panning or zooming to follow the movement is fine; leaving the frame is not.
- 04
Light and ground
Film with the light behind the camera where possible. Avoid filming into low sun. Choose safe, level going — a slippery or uneven surface risks both welfare rejection and a fall.
- 05
Sound and callers
A caller is permitted where the class rules allow it. Keep background noise low enough that the judge can see the test clearly; sound is never scored.
- 06
Check before you upload
Watch the whole video back before submitting. Confirm the horse is identifiable, the movements are visible, and any required verification code appears at the start.
Technical
Files and formats
- Landscape (horizontal) recording, please — not vertical.
- Common formats such as MP4 or MOV upload most reliably.
- Standard phone quality is perfectly sufficient. There is no advantage in professional filming.
- Uploads are stored privately and are only visible to you, the assigned judge and the organisers.
Why entries get marked invalid
- Edited, joined or trimmed mid-test footage
- Horse or rider leaving the frame for part of the test
- Filming from too far away, or so close that movements can't be assessed
- Vertical footage cropped so the working area isn't visible
- Footage of a different horse to the registered entry
- AI-generated, composited or materially manipulated video
- Missing verification code where the class requires one
- Unsafe ground, evident distress or lameness
If your entry is marked invalid, eliminated or rejected, you can ask the organiser to review the decision — normally within 48 hours of being notified.