How many points should be deducted from a horse's overall score, according to severity, when a break of gait to a trot occurs?

When a horse experiences a break of gait to a trot during an event, it is considered a significant error that impacts the overall performance and smoothness of the ride. Deductions in this range, specifically 10-30 points, reflect the severity of this mistake. A break of gait is more than a minor infraction; it disrupts the intended movement and flow, which is crucial in competitive evaluations.

The 10-30 point deduction emphasizes the importance of maintaining the correct gait throughout the performance. This range adequately conveys the severity of the error without being overly punitive, allowing judges to differentiate between varying degrees of performance issues. In equine competitions, maintaining consistency in gait is vital, and this deduction range serves to ensure that errors that significantly affect the overall presentation are appropriately penalized.