Dressage...help please!

dee378

dee378

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 September 2003
Messages
67
Location
South England
Visit site
Right, basically i have decided to try some dressage with my horse as it appears after a flat lesson yest, that he can really move and has some potential! The problem - I don't have a clue about dressage and where to start!?! Like what kind of standard is required for prelim and novice tests? Can anyone help me out and point me in the right direction?! Had a look on the BD website - didn't really help me!?
 
Find a local competition and go and watch. You'll learn masses.
If you're lacking in confidence, find the smallest, most unaffiliated competition you can for your "first public appearance" - the arena might be lumpy and the judging interesting, but it'll help with nerves, coz if you're really nervous, neither of you will do well anyway. (I went to one where the judge got out, called the person back and gave them a 5 minute lesson when I was due in!)
If you're fairly confident, just "get on in there" - what's the worst that can happen?!
shocked.gif
 
join local PC or riding club as they will run comps, then you'll find a good trainer as the horsey grapevine will be working for you.
Pop out and do local unffillated stuff and get yourself confident. Ask trainers advise which would be your best perlim test to try out plus venue and go and do BD on ticket (which means you don't have to join but can try out and if like can join BD)
But main advise get yourself good trainer - enjoy and if you don't like, all the flatwork will improve your general horse control and jumping
grin.gif
 
You do not need to buy a ticket to compete in a BD prelim affilaited class, neither do you or the horse have to be registered at this level.......

Dee - Dressage is basically a list of preset movements which you have to perform accurately at given markers - there is no great mystery in it.... As for standards.... I took an ex racer to dressage that couldn't even canter on the left leg and he qualified for trailblazers on his second outing ever!!!

Good luck adn remember enjoy it!
 
Thank you
smile.gif
already have a trainer lined up, my jumping trainers friend! He jumps her dressage horses, she sometimes helps him with some youngsters! Where can I get hold of a prelim test to see what exactly it involves? In other words - so I can see exactly what I need to prepare him for, what kind of movements etc if you get what i mean :S lol
 
For prelim basically walk, trot and canter, free walk on long rein and 20 m circles - tort canter, 1/2 10m circles in walk

Where are you - maybe someone can suggest somewhere good to watch to see what you need to do
 
thank you, umm im in hampshire! I know medstead do dressage, so I may go down there as well as crofton, been showjumping at both so know the arenas just not for dressage! lol
 
Dressage is fun despite what some people say and think. Go along to a local riding club show or as your in the south east, go along to Oldencraig if you want some inspiration.

Start at the beginning and try some walk trot tests first, see how you do and then go for the prelims. Ask your instructor for advice etc. I always take my dressage sheets to mine and we work on the judges comments, so dressage is a great way to improve your horse in all aspects of riding, go for it and have fun.............
wink.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top