Medal Tests

Medal Tests

Medal Tests

Medal testing gives vaulters an opportunity to measure themselves against a standard rather than against other vaulters, as occurs in competition.

The EVUSA Medal Test Program includes opportunities for beginning level vaulters up through the elite international-level vaulters to test their skills and earn medals. There are no age restrictions for medal testing, and you may test above or below your current competitive level.

Medal Test Secretary : Toni Amoroso 805-990-3331

 

APPLY NOW:

Please email this form to Medal Test Secretary Toni Amoroso. Applicants are responsible for making exam arrangements with a judge, who must be listed on the application. Novice, Trot and Copper Medal exams may be taken virtually. Indicate “virtual” as the “place.” If in-person exams are also taken on the same date, please submit another application with the “place” listed.

Please pay fees by mailing a check, or online via https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/americanvaulting.

The mount is not scored in any level of medal testing. Novice Pins, Trot and Copper Medals cannot be given commended or with honors. All other canter medals can be earned with a passing score, a commended score or a with honors score (for more information reference the EVUSA Rulebook Article 605-607). A total of 13 EVUSA Medals may be awarded.

Novice Pin

The Novice Pin can be taken at the walk, trot or canter to the left or to the right. This pin is intended for the vaulter who is just beginning with vaulting. Boosting is allowed for all vaulters in this test. The purpose of the novice test is to assess awareness of
correct mechanics of the compulsory exercises and demonstrate safety.
The compulsory exercises are performed as in 1* Trot. Spotters are allowed, but may not assist the vaulter in any way. The minimum passing score is 30 percent, and all exercises must
receive a minimum of 3.0. 

Trot Medal

The Trot Medal may be taken to the left or to the right. This is a test on the compulsory exercises at the trot. The compulsory exercises are performed as in 1*Trot. The minimum score is 50 percent; all exercises must receive a minimum of 5.0, except the forward swing which can have a minimum score of 4.5. No spotters are allowed.

Copper Medal

The Copper Medal may be taken to the left or to the right. This is a test on the compulsory exercises at the canter. The compulsory exercises are performed as in 1* Copper. The minimum score is 50 percent, but all exercises must receive a minimum of 5.0, except the forward swing which can have a minimum score of 4.5. No spotters are allowed.

Bronze Medal

The Bronze Medal test may be taken to the left or to the right. This is a test on the compulsory exercises and four (4) freestyle exercises at the canter. The compulsory exercises are performed as in 1* Bronze. The minimum score is 50 percent; the minimum score for all exercises is 5.0. The four (4) freestyle exercises must have a degree of difficulty of M or E, no D’s are allowed. The passing score of the test is 5.0 to 5.99. The Commended score is 6.0 to 6.99, and the Honors score is 7.0 to 10.0.

Silver Medal

The Silver Medal test may be taken to the left or to the right. This is a test on the compulsory exercises and six (6) freestyle exercises at the canter. The compulsory exercises are performed as in 2* Silver. The minimum score is 65 percent; the minimum score for all exercises is 6.0. The six (6) freestyle exercises must have a degree of difficulty of R, D or M, no E’s are allowed. The passing score of the test is 6.5 to 6.99. The Commended score is 7.0 to 7.99, and the Honors score is 8.0 to 10.0.

Gold Medal

The Gold Medal test may be taken to the left or to the right. This is a test on the compulsory exercises and eight (8) freestyle exercises at the canter. The compulsory exercises are performed as in 3* Individual with the addition of the Riding Seat. The minimum score is 80 percent; the minimum score for all exercises is 7.5. The eight (8) freestyle exercises must have a degree of difficulty of R or D, no M’s or E’s are allowed. This is the only medal test that requires an EVUSA R to judge. The passing score of the test is 8.0 to 82.9. The Commended score is 8.3 to 8.59, and the Honors score is 8.6 to 10.0.

Prior to Medal Test
  • Talk with vaulters and parents about medal test expectations, possible dates and costs (up to six months prior).
  • Ask coaches of other local clubs whether their vaulters might want to attend your medal test and share costs (up to three months prior).
  • Make sure you have a Medal Test Application Form (two-three months prior). NOTE: Medal Test Application Forms are sent by the National Office in your annual Club Packets when your club is registered each year, so check in your Club Packet for the form.
  • Find a judge, or judges, if Gold (two-three months prior).
  • Request medal test check from club treasurer (six weeks prior).
  • Fill out and mail completed forms, with payment and list of each vaulter’s freestyle exercises, to Medal Test Secretary (five weeks prior).
  • Work with vaulters on specifics for their level of medal test (eight weeks prior).
  • Arrange for transportation, hotel, etc. for judge, if necessary (four weeks prior).
  • Arrange for club photographer/videographer, if wanted, to be on hand on medal test day (two-four weeks prior).
  • Arrange for experienced clerk(s) for each examiner (two to three weeks prior).
  • Arrange for music (if you care to have music) and music person for medal test day (two to three weeks prior).
  • Receive score sheets, medals and ribbons from Medal Test Secretary (two weeks prior).
  • Plan order of go, get facility prepared for test, plan medal ceremony (one week prior).
  • Fill out score sheets and have your club treasurer write a check for the judge. (The standard fee is $50 minimum, and most judges will charge $10 per test over and above the minimum. For example: five vaulters is $50, six is $60, etc.)
Day of Medal Test
  • Provide suitable place for each examiner to sit, protected from sun, wind, etc.
  • Provide each examiner with a table (covered with a nice, non-flapping table cloth), two chairs (one for the clerk), clip board, score sheets, sharp pencils with erasers, pens, a bell and a calculator. Flowers are always a nice touch, as are snacks and water/coffee/tea.
  • Provide area and equipment for music person, along with instructions.
  • Horses, longeurs and vaulters should be dressed as for competition.
  • Groom vaulting arena.
Post Medal Test
  • Celebrate your successes!
  • Publicize medal test winners in school and local newspapers as well as in club newsletter.
  • Return unused ribbons and medals within two weeks to avoid $100 fine.
  • Do a medal test assessment within 48 hours with vaulters, parents and others involved.
  • Plan medal test schedule for remainder of year, if your club has multiple medal tests and wants to be eligible for the Club Excellence Award.

Before the Medal Test

  • In conjunction with coach, decide which level medal test you will be taking (at least two months prior).
  • Visualize the various parts of your medal test (close your eyes) in a quiet location, six times a day, every day, for two weeks prior.
  • Make sure your uniform and vaulting shoes are clean (few days prior).
  • Clean tack (few days prior).
  • Wash horse (one day prior).
  • Braid horse (that day).
  • Get a good night’s sleep the night prior to your medal test.
  • Allow yourself plenty of time to get your hair up, get your horse tacked, etc. Build in extra time. Don’t rush!
  • Find a quiet place to do last-minute visualization and stretching.

During the Medal Test

  • Take your time while doing your exercises. There is no time limit.
  • Relax and imagine that you’re at practice and doing the best compulsories and freestyle moves you’ve ever done.
  • Breathe!
  • Hold your static exercises for four or five strides, giving the judge plenty of time to see that you are secure.
  • If there are repeats needed, be sure to ask the judge any questions you may have about what you need to do to improve that score.

After the Medal Test

  • Be gracious. No matter what happens, conduct yourself like a professional.
  • If you are awarded a medal, look the judge in the eye and shake hands, accept your medal, and say thank you.
  • After the medal ceremony is over, once again thank the judge, your coach, your longeur, and others who helped with the medal test.
  • Give your horse a treat.
  • Help disassemble the judging arena, put away horses, etc.