this idea came to me while watching some people take part in a dressage competition
for the non horse riders among u,
a bit more about dressage
riders are expected to complete a given set of manuevers in the arena
these are called out to them by a trainer standing at the side of the arena (up to international GRAND PRIX level, where they are expected to do it from memory)
some of u may see the simmilarity with ‘standard command’,
in this case the rider performs a set as opposed to a single skill
the dressage arena is massive 60mx20m
for the uni version i’m suggesting 5mx15m
(roughly 15ftx50ft, there’s no need for anything bigger - this should also fit inside most halls or gyms used by uni clubs)
the dressage arena features letters at regular intervals along the outside
these serve as points of ref and are used in learning and performing a particular dressage test
for the smaller uni-dressage arena, i’m suggesting we have one marker each bisecting the short legs and three markers each dividing the long legs into quarters
this is EXACTLY enought markers to spell ‘UNICYCLE’
if this isn’t a sign, i dont know
(we may have to change the spelling to ‘UNICYKLE’ to avoid confusion with the two Cs, but that’s another discussion)
this is in no way intended to replace the skill level testing, rather to augment it
an analogy
in the world of music a student is required to learn scales
the student is also required to learn musical pieces to be performed (these pieces incorporate the basic skills learnt while learning the scales)
u can see where this is going
i’m equating the existing skil levels to the scales and the ‘uni-dressage’ to the musical pieces
grab a piece of paper, draw a rectangle and add the letters U/N/I/C/Y/K/L/E with the ‘U’ bisecting the top (short) leg and the rest of the letters in order clockwise around the arena
now this next bit might make more sense
to give u an idea, here is a suggested ‘uni-dressage test’ incorporating skills up to level 4
(‘y’ would be where the judge would sit)
the rider enters the arena at ‘u’ and rides down the (imaginary)centreline (aiming straight for ‘y’)
at ‘i’ (marker indicators are on the left of the rider) stop, dismount and wave at the judge (in dressage they salute, waaay too formal imho)
freemount and turn left to complete a circle with ‘c’ as outer edge of the circle
upon returning to ‘i’, dismount and remount using a different mount
turn right and complete a figure of eight crossing thru ‘i’
upon completing the ‘8’ and returning to ‘i’, dismount and remount using a third mount
ride to ‘y’ stop and ride backward to ‘n’
stop and return to ‘i’ seat on stomach
regain the seat
idle right foot down, 25 times
ride one footed to ‘y’
regain the second foot and turn right riding up the side of the arena
between ‘k’ and ‘l’ ride seat out front
regain seat and continue to ‘e’
turn right
at ‘u’ turn 90 degrees right and ride seat out back down the centre line to ‘i’
regain seat and idle, left foot down 25 times
by now, u either have an idea of where i’m heading with this or u r bored out of your head and think i’ve lost it
riders’ performances will be judged by the judge sitting at ‘Y’ for precision, control, accuracy and so forth
given the need for a judge, this might be a bit too formal to qualify as a ‘game’
learning and practising the various tests
(i’m suggesting five tests incorporating the skills for levels 2/4/6/8/10) could fit into a club evening quite nicely
this format will also lend itself to olympic competition
(i like to think big and , like a certain namesake on this forum, do not allow reality to intrude too often 
)
now i’m asking for vigorous discussion and debate on the workability of such a format
ideas
suggestions
hints and
allegations…
