BD Novice Test - Is it ok to mix sitting/rising trot

[Gorgeous George]

I'm off to dressage next week, still in that elusive hunt for our first BD point (think we now have 4 or 5 results that were 59. something % ). Anyway my question is whether it is ok to mix sitting and rising trot in a novice test? We are doing N23 (long arena) which has a couple of 15m circles and 2 lots of medium trot (not our forte at all ). I really wanted to sit to the 15m circles as George will go so much better, and I also want to sit as I come round the corner before the diagonal for the medium trot (and then rise for the medium). I have no idea if this is ok, but I certainly don't want to give the judge a bad impression, or lose any precious marks because quite obviously I need everyone I can get Beginning to wonder if we will ever master this dressage!

Thanks

 

[Thistle]

No problem at all, try to not swap in the middle of a movement though. A judge will prefer to see a good rising than a horse tight in the back due to poor sitting

 

[Gorgeous George]

Thanks for your reply thistle when you say don't swap in the middle of a movement, do you think it is ok to sit for a few strides before the medium and then rise for the medium?

Does anyone else mix up sitting and rising when they do dressage? Any adverse comments from judges?

Thanks

 

[Eventer96]

Depends solely on how the horse goes, but if you want to sit some parts of the test I'd sit all of it. I'd then rise for the mediums and then return to sitting trot after them. Very common to rise in the mediums. Don't think the test would have the same flow if you were to rise for most of the test, sit the 15m circles, sit before the mediums and rise through the mediums. That's just my opinion though.

 

[Baggybreeches]

Yes it's fine, I take it the mediums are along the long side? In which case it won't really be noticed as long as you rise through the medium steps. It's fairly standard ring craft TBH and I think if you feel he goes better that way then do it.

 

[Goldenstar]

Yes I always do .

 

[Laafet]

Yes it's fine, I take it the mediums are along the long side? In which case it won't really be noticed as long as you rise through the medium steps. It's fairly standard ring craft TBH and I think if you feel he goes better that way then do it.

It's new test for 2012, rode it last weekend and it is nice. The mediums are on the diagonals, I'd say that if you really sit and half halt then rise once you get straight then you will help George to balance and stretch so totally would go for that. Well done you on going BD, we got our first shiny point together the other day, but sadly not last weekend as he decided the new venue was very spooky and did a canter to halt transition towards the judges hut on the right rein!

 

[Gorgeous George]

Thanks all, it's also my first novice long arena test! I will let you know how I get on and if we get that elusive point!