You’ve learned the test, the arena’s set up, and now there’s just one thing between you and your online entry: pressing record. Here’s the good news: filming a Schoolers test should be low fuss. You need a phone, about six minutes, and either a friend or a small gadget. Done is most definitely better than perfect, and the videoing gets easier every time you do it. The regular feedback from the judge is just as good as seeing yourself ride, so whatever your footage looks like, it’s working for you twice.
One take is all we ask — from your first halt to your final salute, no cuts.
Option one — someone films you
This is the classic setup, and Naomi’s video of Alice is a lovely example of getting it right.
Film from C. Stand at C, behind the arena fence if you can — that’s the judge’s view, and it’s the view we need on video.
Landscape, always. Turn the phone sideways and keep the whole horse in frame, with enough arena around them that the judge can see the figures — where you hit the track, how round the circle really is. When the horse is at the far end, zoom in gently. When they come toward you, ease back out.
Zoom and pan with the horse. Smooth does it. Follow the movement rather than chasing it, and don’t worry about wobbles.
One take, halt to halt. Start recording before the ride down the centre line, stop after the final salute. No editing, no cuts — the judge needs to see the whole test as it happened.
And if you’re organising a group of riders for a Schoolers day — easy. Film each other.
Option two — riding alone? Use a recording device like Pivo
Plenty of riders school alone, and this is where a tracking device earns its keep. Amanda shows an example of riding with the Pivo Pod — a small motorised pod that your phone sits in. The way we set it up: phone goes in landscape, the pod syncs with the Pivo app, and then it simply twirls around and tracks you wherever you ride. It can zoom too, so you stay a decent size in the frame even at the far end of the arena.
The part that makes it perfect for online dressage: it comes with a remote. Once you’re set up and on board, you press record from the saddle and ride the whole test in one go — no dismounting required.
For a test, the Pivo needs to be at C. Amanda’s example sits on a mounting block which may be a touch too low. Note the example is a training session, so you’ll see the pod placed more centrally. On test day it goes to C.
Pivo settings (tested):
- Tracking speed: Fast (see the note below on the new Auto speed)
- Auto Zoom: on
- Predictive Follow: on
- Target Exposure: on
The tracking is at its best at canter and a wee bit jittery at walk and some trot — you can see exactly that in the example video, and it’s all ok. A jittery video is still perfectly judgeable. We score you and your horse, not the camerawork.
Pivo’s software gets better all the time. The latest 3.1 update adds a new Auto tracking speed — untested by us so far, but it may reduce the jittering significantly. We’ll update you when we’ve tried it.
A few extra Pivo tips:
- A white saddle blanket helps. The Pivo tracks by picking your horse out from the background, and a dark horse against a dark hedge makes it work hard. A light-coloured blanket gives it something to lock onto.
- Keep other horses out of the arena — it can get confused about who it’s meant to be following.
- Backlight and shadows are the tricky case. Filming into low sun under a covered arena roof isn’t ideal — but as our example shows, you can make do, and the test is still scoreable.
- Height matters: aim for the pod to sit at about the height of your horse’s chest.
What it costs. The Pivo Pod is about US$200 from pivoequestrian.com. The app is free.
This is one of the cheaper tracking and video devices out there. If you ride alone a lot, it can be a worthwhile investment.
Most of all — have fun
These videos are supposed to be low fuss. Press record, ride your test, send it in. The camerawork gets easier every time.
With thanks to our riders for the wonderful examples: Alice Murfitt on HPH Furst Welcome, filmed by Naomi Murfitt — and Amanda Penton on Sunsey, filmed by the Pivo Pod.