Best Method/s For Learning A Dressage Test?

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randira

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Put it this way - I have an awful memory and haven't done a dressage test for 9/10 years !!! But seeing as I have a ODE at the weekend I really ought to start learning it. Now - should I memorise it by the letters or by the 'pattern' as my freind does? I wouldnt say it's a difficult test (PN 110 2001). Cheers x
 
Umm... I guess I do more by pattern. I usually read through the test and then draw it out a couple of times on a bit of paper without the test in front of me. I then write down quick bullet points of the order of things, for example:

Half circles each rein
Free walk
Canter circles each rein

That sort of thing so if in the test I forget - I just think of my bullet point so I know the next thing is another half circle for example.

Then I spend 1 schooling session going over it. That's pretty much it. You can always watch a few before you do yours. Good luck
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u can get small boards like white boards that u write the test on and then wipe the pen off afterwards so u can go thru it loads of times and erase it if u make a mistake. i use them i have to do lots of different tests quickly so i dont get mixed up, i think they r really good, its a good way of going thru it quickly before u jump on too.
 
Second that- walk/trot/cantering it on foot at home is great for learning it and perhaps on the day if you have time, go and sit or stand near C and think through/visualise the test.
 
i run through it with my fingers walking, trotting and cantering the movements on a small 'arena' i've drawn, with all the letters.
once i've done that a few times, i go through it on my feet in the lounge, cos then my body gets used to which way it needs to be facing in each movement!
hope that helps.
 
I get the diagram off the dressage diagram website (google it - sorry can't recall exact addtress at mo) aalong with the text and learn it in chunks and then try and 'ride' through it in my mind each night before i go to sleep. (Although i am often asleep by the time i get to the second canter trans!!)
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I draw out the arena on a bit of paper, then draw the test out with a pen a few times. Then I try to go through it in my head as if I'm riding it.

I learn the general pattern first, then I learn the detail with the letters.

Then on the way to the competition, I'll get my friend to test me!
 
hey, are you doing the potton ode? And if so what class? Becaus i really need to findo ut where to get it from, as i can't find it anywhere. reply asap.
 
[ QUOTE ]
hey, are you doing the potton ode? And if so what class? Becaus i really need to findo ut where to get it from, as i can't find it anywhere. reply asap.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are doing the small class you cannot get the test anymore - Call Kitty and she'll send you a copy.
 
i draw it out in diffrent coloured pens to mark the paces
ie green for canter blue for walk and red for trot
if a change black --
also canter green is a long contiuios line of green pen
and trot would be dashes and walk dots etc
easy then
 
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