Advice on Intro A/B Test

[HaffiesRock]

Hi all, quick numpty question from a complete dressage beginner!

Printed off the Intro A and B tests to practice. Should the trot be ridden sitting or rising? I ask because I always sit to my pony's lovely comfy trot and he works much better than when I rise, but all the you tubes video tests I've watched have been rising trot.

Thanks

 

[Jenni_]

Rising... Although you can sit if you want? Or someone correct me?

 

[Elbie]

You can do rising or sitting trot

 

[Elbie]

Think you can do rising or sitting up to Elementary level (someone will correct me!) Definitely can sit or rise up to Novice.

 

[MrsNorris]

I was told you can do either but you mustn't change from one to the other.

 

[monkeybum13]

I was told you can do either but you mustn't change from one to the other.

You can swap between the two in a test.

At intro most judges would prefer to see rising trot, unless you have an amazing seat you are more likely to hinder than help doing sitting trot in a walk and trot test.

 

[kc100]

You can do both (one or the other - dont change half way through!) but I would say only sit if you are 100% certain that it makes the horse go better and your seat is good. I write for judges a lot and they really dont like to see people sitting at lower levels unless the rider is a GREAT rider and sits perfectly. If you are sitting but in fact it looks like you are interfering with the horse and preventing it from working properly they really wont be kind on you.

It may be more comfortable for you to sit to his trot, but if the reality is the 'picture' looks better when your rising and his movement is better when you rise you are more likely to get better marks when rising. I'd get someone to video you practicing the test, do the full test in sitting and in rising and see if you (and an impartial friend) can notice a difference between the two. And if you have time before your test get some advice from your instructor as well, eyes on the ground cannot be beaten when it comes to questions like this.

Rising trot is generally accepted as the kinder way to ride at lower levels (watching Carl Hester's latest Horse & Country TV programme - him and Charlotte never do sitting trot at home if it can be helped), it helps the horse swing through the back and generally doesnt hinder the horse in any of its movements.