WHAT IS A RANK TEST?
Rank-testing in RC is the only way to get the rank member-exp rider. It is a short and simple test that can be taken by anyone rank stable hand-trainee and is hosted by RC HRs. The test is split into 3 parts: a few questions on club rules and systems, a test on dressage forms and skills appropriate for your rank, and an open-ended question on why you deserve this rank. Your host will be judging your answers and dressage skills as they are asked/done and will determine if you passed or not at the end.

HOW DO I TAKE A RANK TEST?
Refer to #rank-dates-and-info in the discord server. If your name is listed as "any time" then you can put a note in #lesson-request or DM an RC HR in order to schedule a test. You can only test once every 2 weeks and only if you have been fully active for those past 2 weeks. Check #rank-dates-and-info to see when you are eligible to test!

HOW DO I GET TO BE RANK STABLE HAND?
Rank novice is for members who have just graduated. To get to the stable hand rank, you must retain 4 credits in the span of a week, for two weeks in a row to be considered active, and thus ranked up automatically to stable hand.

HOW DO I GET TO BE RANK CHAMPION?
Champions are part of our comp team. There is a different set of requirements and a different test for getting to this rank/team; you can find more info on the Comp Team Page!

HOW DO I GET TO BE A HIGH RANK?
A high rank is a riding instructor, leader, co-owner, or owner. You cannot test to reach any of these ranks. Every so often, a new high rank is selected by Light and often times discussed by the present high ranks. When looking at candidates, they are not only selected by their dressage skills, but they are also selected by their work ethic, leadership, communication skills, dedication, and responsibility. When Light is looking for new RC HRs she will also ask for nominations from the cheerios. RCS HRs are discussed among current official-club high ranks. Generally, the only way to become an RC HR is to be an HR for RCS first.

If you have been chosen for an HR promotion, you will be ranked up during a club meeting and there will be an announcement afterward to let those who couldn't attend know.

If you are interested in becoming an HR of some kind, please DM Light-- the HR promotion process should be an involved one! Light can help mentor you on commanding, management, etc., gain insight about your previous experiences, and see which people are truly able and interested in taking on HR responsibilities. DMing Light about this is not a guarantee you'll be an HR in the future, but it's a great first step in the journey.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO TAKE A RANK TEST?
There are a few requirements in order to rank-test each week to keep from just anyone reaching a rank they may not deserve. They are as follows:
-Must have been in the club for at least four weeks.
-Must be rank stable hand, member, or trainee.
-Must have been fully active for the previous 2 weeks (listed as "anytime" in #rank-dates-and-info).
-Must not have broken any major club rules in the last week.
-Must be online currently (you can't test through only a Discord call).

RANK TEST QUESTIONS AND FORMS:
Stable Hand ⟶ Member:
Questions:
-What are you expected to bring to lessons?
-What does it mean to be considered 'active' for a week?
-Why do we have a club uniform?
-Where can you learn our unique moves outside of lessons?
-What should you do when you can't make it to a lesson?

Forms:
-Slant comb
-Halt in place
-Dra halt
-Star
-Bloom
-Half pivot
-Dodge
-Triple curl by gait
-Knot
-Over
-Alternate hold
-Dragon

Member ⟶ Trainee:
Questions:
-How should drama be handled?
-Why do we give so many corrections during lessons?
-Why is spacing so important, aside from just making the line look good? In other words, what effect does good spacing or bad spacing have for other dressage forms?
-Why does a lesson horse need to be maxed?
-What are gridlines and how do we use them?

Forms:
-10m full S-curve
-Lead a 5m not around the center using quads and dots
-Back slant
-Opal
-Pasta
-Obliques
-Bubble wand
-Compass
-Orbit
-Hold slant
-DNA lead

Trainee ⟶ Experienced Rider:
Questions:
-What is the role of riding instructors in RC?
-Which of the three fundamental techniques (timing, spacing, alignment) is most influential to good dressage, and why?
-Explain the importance of timing in dressage, both visually and for the actual do-ing of forms.
-Why does the club have a strict application system?
-Why do we use table spacing?

Forms:
-Cantering skills
-5m revolve right
-Spike
-Sunrise
-Sunset into cartwheel
-Lead a 5m not around the center using 1 normal line and 1 grid line
-Decrease curl
-Half dodge
-Knot into buddy
-Partner curl
-Overlap
-Tape