Couple of questions for those who dressage!

[Mrs C]

Hello! Couple of questions!
Does anyone compete in brown tack/black boots and jacket? Would love to see pics before I start buying new stuff!

Secondly what do people do when they go into the arena before you go down the centre line? Happy with our warm up however when we move into a new arena, we're losing focus and impulsion. Last couple of outings we've tried walking round only to relax and have a look, then we were behind the leg down the centre line, have tried pushing straight into a trot (however was then not relaxed).
Thank you!

 

[VRIN]

I was advised to consider going into the arena as part of your warm up ...

 

[lizziebell]

Transitions transitions transitions!

 

[Britestar]

I have brown tack on a black horse. Its much softer than black on black.

Black boots and blue jacket.

I trot and canter around the outside to keep her attention.

 

[ihatework]

Work out what gets your horses attention well when schooling then do that.

I had one that would move between SI & renvers around the edge as that seemed to stop her locking up

 

[Mrs C]

Thanks all. Sounds like trial and error!

 

[nikkimariet]

See quite a few brown tack / black boots out and about.

I always have a canter and do just a couple of canter trot canter transitions. Get h going and listening. Mine is sharp backwards. If he does look at something then I let him have a sniff, otherwise he makes a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I always did dressage in brown tack because I mainly did showing and didn't have separate black tack, I've even done a few tests in a show saddle before and a tweed jacket so I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[doodle]

I go in and generally get in to a nice forwards trot as soon as I can. He can be spooky so I try and adopte a positive forwards no nonsense trot. I usually do 20x60 so I try and aim for while circuit, change rein and whole circuit before starting.

 

[eggs]

Brown tack and black boots is not a problem.

If you can go ALL the way around the outside of the arena on your trot around you should not go into the arena before the start of your test if running under BD rules. Even if you can go round three sides but not the fourth you are allowed to enter the arena before your test and then it is up to you if you start your test from within the arena (I do) or go out at A and then enter. Just make sure that it does not look like you are starting your test.

With my horse I tend to trot and canter to make sure he is listening to my leg and do some medium trot and canter to keep him thinking forward. Think of doing medium trot on your entry (without actually doing it) as that seems to keep mine more motivated.

 

[Wizpop]

I was advised to consider going into the arena as part of your warm up ...

If you’re riding under BD rules, this isn’t allowed unless not enough space to ride round the outside.