1st time dressage on sunday - any tips?

kinnygirl1

kinnygirl1

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Hi All

I am doing dressage for the first time ever on sunday. It's also first time out for my boy who is just 5. Very nervous but also excited! I have learned the test and borrowed the appropriate gear. My main worries are what will my boy be like in the strange enviroment and how will he react to new sights and sounds such as the "white boards" (sorry I don't know their proper name) around the dressage arena. What is the best way to relax my boy so that we can both enjoy the first time out? Any tips, advice and vibes very much appreciated!

Thanks
 
Hi, how exciting! Give yourself plenty of time to arrive, get yourself accquainted with the place and tacked up. I personally like to allow time to walk a novice horse in hand prior to getting on, just so he can see the sites and sounds without having to worry about the rider. Have a plan of action for when you do get on, so you can get him working and being productive. And the main thing is to enjoy yourselves and be proud of yourselves. It gets easier the more times you go out and the more you learn about your horse. Best of luck!
 
Hi Thanks so much for reply...

It's actually at my old riding school who I have kept in touch with since I left to have my own horse so hoping to show him off a little bit too:D
We have been given a mega early time to do our test so gonna have to get there very early to familarise. Great idea about showing him the ring in hand. Will defo do that if I get the chance.

x
 
Have twice as much time as you think you need to get everything ready so you can be really relaxed about it.

Being forwards and in a good rhythm is much more important than having your horse in an outline.

If in doubt ride positively and smile. Judges like to see a happy rider! :)
 
Yay! I'd say allow plenty of time to wonder around and get him nice and loose before starting a proper warm up. Don't worry too much about the white boards, you will get chance to work around the outside before your test, so he can have a good gawp at them before you start :p

Best advice I had was to make sure you both look super smart, plait up if you can, and make sure tack's clean etc. Judges are only human after all, and first impressions count! ;) Aim for accurate transitions, and big circles that fill the space. My dressage instructor said to aim for transitions to be a fraction before the marker, to worst case is it's on the marker, and if it is slightly before, it gives the impression of him being really on your aids, rather than them being a bit late :)

Most of all, enjoy and relax. Big grin and the end with big pats for pony :D (Was told once that some judges like that, if they think you thought it went fabulously, they might just give you an extra mark on your collectives or something ;) :p)

J&C
 
Ooh thanks Izzwizz Wellsat and J&C - I have only just become a member on here and so glad I did as all the advice is helping my confidence! x
 
My advice is - Have FUN! Don't set yourself huge expectations first time out. The first time I did a dressage test my aim was simply to get there safely (as it was the first time I had ever towed too), do something that resembled a dressage test then get home safely having had a nice time. I actually came fifth so brought back a rossette but I didn't need it, I was so pleased that I had actually been there and done it!
 
Ditto what others have said... I always like to find a "friend" in the warm up, you'll find there are others as apprehensive as you and its nice to exchange nervous banter with them! During the test, above all smile a lot and breathe, drop your shoulders and look where you're going. If a movement goes tits up then forget it and concentrate on the next one. Ive had many disasters and put it down to practice coz it does get better the more you do it! Best advice a friend told me is to keep the movements as accurate as you can ie hit the markers, you can have an amazing moving horse but will always lose marks if you mess up circles etc so try to concentrate on that if you can, and GOOD LUCK!!! x
 
thanks Nickibelle

Yes getting there and back safely and having fun are defo my priority. We are not really dressage perfect as still perfecting bending and even riding a straight line, tbh, so no expectations at all really! A friend is going and has room on her box so it seemed a good opportunity for an outing more than anything. I haven't competed in 17 years and never done dressage so will be well chuffed with self and pony if we get through this in any way! x
 
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