Making Your Video
The video you submit for analysis provides the only data we have, so you must make it properly to get good results. If the video you submit does not provide the information we need, we will not be able to analyze it. If the video you submit is largely suitable for analysis but leaves gaps you can fill with minimal amounts of additional footage, we may ask you to submit additional video, following specific instructions. It is essential that each video clip you submit is of good, clear quality. You should plan on it taking at least an hour to record the required video clips.
Submission Format: (1.) Submit your video clips on a DVD (no VHS tape), by USPS mail or either UPS or FedEx to Tapestry Institute. Call or email for the address. OR (2) Upload your video (or individual clips) to an Internet site such as YouTube or Vimeo and email the url(s) to anne@tapestryinstitute.org with your full name, mailing address, and phone number.
Referent Marker: Each video clip needs to have a vertical line (running up and down, not side to side) in it — a fence post or arena railing, a doorway or window or support strut of a barn or other structure (even in the near background), etc. Ideally, there should be several of these lines, spaced at intervals. The vertical railings of an arena are ideal for the purpose, but other items may serve just as well. But be sure the rider passes at least one referent marker in each video clip!
Lighting: There needs to be good lighting for each video clip. Sunlight/daylight is best.
Position of the Videographer: For each of the maneuvers listed below, the person doing the filming (the videographer) needs to stand and film from each of four different positions. These four positions are: (1) DIRECTLY BEHIND the rider , (2) DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF the rider, (3) DIRECTLY (SQUARELY) TO THE LEFT SIDE as the rider passes by, and (4) DIRECTLY (SQUARELY) TO THE RIGHT SIDE as the rider passes by. Notice that we ask you shoot each maneuver at least twice, which means that you will actually film it at least eight (8) times: twice from the front, twice from the rear, twice from the left side, and twice from the right side (as a mimimum). The examples below show how the horse and rider should look from each of the four videographer positions. 
Saddled and Bareback: To help us determine which problems in balance might be tack-related, film each maneuver with a saddle and then again bareback to the degree it’s possible to do that. Bareback means without any tack on the horse’s back – do not use a bareback pad or cushion of any sort. If you are not stable or secure riding bareback, then do only those maneuvers that can be done safely (such as riding bareback only at a walk).
Gaits to Ride in the Video: Please videotape the rider at three gaits if possible: walk, trot/jog, and canter/lope. If the rider cannot safely canter/lope, then omit that gait. On the other hand, if the horse and rider know how to take different leads in the canter/lope, please have the horse take the appropriate lead as it works both directions in the canter/lope.
Number of Repetitions: Please record each maneuver at least two times from each of the four directions you are to film. Thus, for maneuver number 1 (riding at a walk using a saddle), you should make at least eight (8) video clips: two each of the rider and horse at a walk with a saddle from the front, two more of the pair at a walk using a saddle from the rear, another two of them at a walk with a saddle from the right side, and a final two shots that show the horse and rider in a walk using a saddle from the left side. Additional repetitions (more than 2, but no more than 6, please) will provide additional reliability for the assessment. But two repetitions of each maneuver, from each of the four directions, is a minimum requirement.
Length of Video Clips: Be sure that each clip is at least 10 seconds long. Longer video segments are better than a lot of very short segments. More film segments are better than not enough.
Maneuvers to Ride and Record: There are two types of maneuvers — required and optional. If you are not able to ride the required maneuvers safely, you should not attempt to make the video clips for analysis. Wait, instead, until you can ride the required maneuvers safely and then make the clips. The analysis will be far more useful to you then anyway
REQUIRED MANEUVERS.
1. Ride a walk in a straight line, with a saddle. (Videotape from all four directions.)
2. Ride a trot/jog in a straight line, with a saddle. (Videotape from all four directions.)
3. Work your horse through a right turn at a trot/jog, with a saddle. (Videotape from all four directions.)
4. Work your horse through a left turn at a trot/jog, with a saddle. (Videotape from all four directions.)
5. Ride a walk in a straight line bareback. (Videotape from all four directions.)
OPTIONAL MANEUVERS. The more of these maneuvers you can ride and video record, the better and more useful your analysis will be. However, do not attempt maneuvers that you cannot do safely at this time. Record each maneuver from each of the four directions, and remember to repeat each shot at least once, for a total of two views of each maneuver from each direction (as a minimum).
1. Ride a canter/lope in a straight line, with a saddle. If your horse is able to take both leads and you know how to request the proper lead, then please make sure your horse is on the correct lead (right or left, respectively) for the direction it’s moving.
2. Work your horse through a right turn at a canter/lope, with a saddle. If your horse is able to take both leads and you know how to request the proper lead, then please make sure your horse is on the correct lead (right or left, respectively) for the direction it’s moving.
3. Work your horse through a left turn at a canter/lope, with a saddle. If your horse is able to take both leads and you know how to request the proper lead, then please make sure your horse is on the correct lead (right or left, respectively) for the direction it’s moving.
4. Ride a trot/jog in a straight line, bareback.
5. Work your horse through a right turn at a trot/jog, bareback.
6. Work your horse through a left turn at a trot/jog, bareback.
7. Ride a canter/lope in a straight line, bareback. If your horse is able to take both leads and you know how to request the proper lead, then please make sure your horse is on the correct lead (right or left, respectively) for the direction it’s moving.
8. Work your horse through a right turn at a canter/lope, bareback. If your horse is able to take both leads and you know how to request the proper lead, then please make sure your horse is on the correct lead (right or left, respectively) for the direction it’s moving.
9. Work your horse through a left turn at a canter/lope, bareback. If your horse is able to take both leads and you know how to request the proper lead, then please make sure your horse is on the correct lead (right or left, respectively) for the direction it’s moving.