Here is a link to the form judges use at tests, it shows the diagram of the dance and the skills they are looking for: https://www.usfigureskating.org/content/dutch-waltz.pdf
The pattern dances drawings and requirements are also published in the "Rule Book" each year and there there is more explanation about rhythm, tempo, the hold between the partners.
If you look at the drawing, you see that the steps have numbers, the Dutch Waltz has 16 steps. This dance covers half of the perimeter of the ring, starting in one corner and finishing on the diagonally opposite corner. The intro steps are not a preset requirement, they are chosen by the skater. For testing they are kept simple and few, but for competitions they can more steps and can be an introduction to the character of the dance. The drawing also shows the number of beats for each step and the description describes the rhythm, here, a waltz which is counted 123, 456 (6 beats total in a 2-1-3 count). The hold is Killian, where both partners are going forward, the man is towards the inside of the center of the rink and holds the woman back with his right arm and holds the woman left hand with his left hand.
Here is the dance done and explained by national competitors ice dancers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na8a7kh_rxU
Starting point: is on the red cross on my drawing
The pattern dance: witch I will explain in lobes grouping the steps in the judges drawing, and i will add the beats in parenthesis
1.2.3. Left Forward Progressive, 3 edges (6 beats, in a 2-1-3 count))
4. Right Forward Swing Roll (6 beats)
5. Left Forward Swing Roll (6 beats) that falls exactly at half the axis
6.7.8. Right Forward Progressive, 3 edges (6 beats total in a 2-1-3 count)
9. Left Forward Outside Edge (3 beats)
10. Right Forward Outside Edge (3 beats) that will bring you towards the corner of the rink so you have to start the new axis on the short side of the rink
11.12.13 Left Forward Progressive, 3 edges (6 beats total in a 2-1-3 count)
14. Right Forward Swing Roll (6 beats)
15. Left Forward Outside Edge (3 beats) when you finish this step you bring in the right foot toward the ankle of the left but they are not touching, so you have space to twist the left blade from going forward to 45 degrees to stroke on the next step
16. Right Forward Inside Edge (3 beats)
On the judges form it shows that they look for: Accuracy, Placement, Skating Skills, Style, Unison (if partnered). In my understanding it means that you have to know the steps, and where they go on the pattern, have some edges, some extension and posture, and some unison. The judges also look for timing (so the waltz rhythm) and the character of the dance (waltzes have a soft, elegant look).
And here is my Dutch Waltz test after learning from a friend for few months, taking a 2 months, once a week 35 min long ice dance group class and just 3 lessons with my dance coach. Honestly, the coach helped a lot during the test...
Besides showing off the progressives and swing rolls,working at this dance is an opportunity to understand and apply the concept of transitioning between the lobes, meaning how to check at the end of a lobe so you can start the new lobe. I explained that on the Deep Forward Edges. I didn't have this understanding, as I was learning the first dances from a friend not a coach. Testing with my coach as a partner was helping my transitions, plus at this level the edges and lobes don't have to be deep and that was helping as well, but I feel I had to play "catch up" later, even now, after a year and a half... and that takes away from the enjoyment of "dancing".
(Update Sept 25, 2018) As I was writing about the third Preliminary pattern dance, the Rhythm Blues, I realized I wished I knew when I first learnt the Dutch Waltz that it is not an easy dance. Actually comparing the 3 Preliminary dances, for me, it felt the most difficult. And it feels the fastest between the 3...
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