Dressage check list? do i or dont i need..?

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lcharles

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Ok, well as a dressage virgin i have recent discovered why its named 'stressage' after having nightmares about it - literally!! Involved me sitting up at 100mph in bed last night shouting 'WHATS HAPPENED?' after waking my self up from a nightmare about getting to my dressage! x

So......have just about managed to tame horse enough to remove the waterford gag to a french link full cheek but is this dressage legal?

Do i need white pretty bandages.....what is the point in these? Do they protect or not as some people seem to use them, some dont?

I am attempting to do a prelim 7 on the 21st and then novice eventing 2006 on the 8th, I have learnt both tests (easiler than i thought!) but have you got any tips?! I was told to look into the centre of the 20m circle to make it more 'circular'....does this help? x

Oh also, i havent yet invested in white jodphurs....do i really need white jodphurs just yet?! if it all goes well/ok i dont mind buying some....

what else do i or dont i need? x
 
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The bit is fine.
White bandages are not required, you must not wear anything on the horses legs during the test and unless you have a good helper the less fussing the better for your nerves.

Riding tip, smile, or at least a grimace will show you are enjoying yourself;)

Ride all movements forward and as accurately as you can, dont panic if something does not go as well as you hoped move on to the next movement positively.
 
bit is fine, no bandages or boots during your test, no white jodhs, but cream ones, you can carry a schooling whip for the dressage but not for eventing, though you can wear spurs in either, you need to wear gloves, no martingale etc, you might need a bridle number depending on the venue.

Looking into the middle of a 20m circle doesn't sound like a good idea to me - I was always taught to be looking through the horse's ears around the circle :) Make sure your centre line entry is nice and forward to keep straight, look up, smile and enjoy!
 
unaffiliated, only forcing myself into it as i want to event. Enjoying it more than i thought i would though to be honest!

I have some very light cream jodphurs which i thought i could use for the first couple of goes!

Can someone explain the scoring to me please, is it just the higher the percentage the better?

I'm going to try and keep the marks on accuracy of transitions as my horse is very responsive to this as i will lose marks on straightness - cant go straight to save my life!

If my horse decides to rear or bugger off half way through (this is a possibility!!) do i just come back (if i can stop!!) and pick up from where i left off?! I think by him concerntrating on me he should be ok but i can't say what he'll be like until i've tried though....he might be amazing! :o

What should i expect to score on mine and his first time out? I would like i get an above average score - for a confidence boost if anything!!:D
 
light cream jodhs are perfect. the highest % wins, but it's worth looking at your test sheet as it will tell you that certain movements are worth double marks (e.g. free walk on a long rein) and the collective marks. At prelim, accuracy and freedom of paces / rhythm are most important I think. If you're riding purposely forward, it's much easier to ride straight :)

If you leave the arena out of control during a test you're eliminated - I would still go back though as I imagine they'd let you finish regardless. If he sods off / is disobedient within the arena, just carry on, you'll only be penalised in the mark for that movemnt and possibly the collectives.

score very much depends on the judge - it does vary! - and on your horse's level of training. I tend to say that over 65 in a prelim is good for my highland, and over 60 in a novice is fine by me - but I'd look more to the comments and how he actually feels to indicate your success ;)
 
On my first couple of dressage tests my (usually lazy) horse decided to throw in a buck or two and jump out the arena (they were only 2 inch high marker boards!) I went back to where it went wrong and continued- the judge just marked me down, I didn't get eliminated. The comments were quite amusing though! I got percentages in the 40's for my first 2 tests (not bad considering his behaviour!) But for first time out most people are pleased with anything over 50%. Good Luck!
 
Aww thanks everyone, definately helpful!

I have avoided dressage for 20 years of riding but have found it easier than i thought!

I would really like to just get an averagely good score and some nice constructive comments! At least i'll know what to work on then for next time (if theres a next time!!)

Decided that dressage wont hold me back so i'll give it a go!! I've practised loads...to the point my horse knows where to change transitions himself and where to go :rolleyes: x
 
lcharles said:
Can someone explain the scoring to me please, is it just the higher the percentage the better?
Click to expand...

Yup the higher percent the better,but your eventing dressage it's deducted from 100 so the lower the better! Ie if you scored 60% in BD dressage in eventing it would be 40 penalties. 70% = 30 75% = 25 etc etc. So don't panic when you do your eventing test and think you've done really poo, you probably won't have!
 
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