Dressage - Just curious

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Mythical

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I'm happened across a local Dressage competition at the weekend when I was out on my bike, and under the pretence of stopping to make use of the burger van, hung around to watch some working in, and then snuck in to watch some actual tests. (Apologies, BTW, to anyone who was concerned by the wierdo hanging around!)
I don't want to admit it to my instructor, or my share horse's owner, or anyone I know IRL...but I kind of want a go!

Does anyone know where I can download an intro or/and prelim test just to have a look at and see if it's something I could do? I promise I'll buy the sheet from BD if I decide it's something I can do/really want to try.

Also, what's the lowest possible score? I have visions of it going "a, proceed down the center line, halting at x....ding ding ding..."get out you muppet you're rubbish"""
 
My Daughter recently completed her first dressage test, she is only 14 and pony is 5, with the advice of our instructor we decided that daughter isn't allowed to sj unless she does dressage, as far as daughter is concered thats just plain cruel.. lol anyway, the first test she did was last month it was prelim 7, she got 55.8% even though pony was alittle naughty going into one of the canters, Daughter had a fab time and we are doing 2 test this weekend, Intro A ( walk trot test) and prelim 4,

you are supposed to get the tests of the BD website, they cost only a couple of quid, however so far I have managed to download them off the internet, I just googled what test I wanted and browsed for it.

Have a go and enjoy it... its not that scarey, her first test only lasted just over 4 mins which is nothing, and you don't need to memorise it as someone can call it out for you.

Good Luck...
 
The Intro tests are fairly basic school movements, circles, changes of rein and transitions all in walk and trot, prelims much the same but involve short canters.

Tell your instructor you want to aim to do some, most will be very supportive, if not change instructor, they should then help you prepare during your lessons so that you gain confidence to go and try.

The judges are not going to tell you to leave, unless you get eliminated for some technical reason but that will not happen if you prepare well. Average marks are around 50-60% that is getting 5 or 6 for each movement performed in a fairly satisfactory manner most judges will give 6 provided you actually perform a movement and most will be encouraging in their comments, although there is always the odd grumpy one that will be more critical.

Go and watch some more if you can there are always a few spectators just there to be nosy:D and ask a few questions of other people you will be able to find out more, the other thing is if you have a local venue offer to help, they will be very grateful usually as they need helpers to keep it all running smoothly.
 
LisaS said:
Go on go for it :)


I would love to do Dressage too. Just don't know how to get started. Do I need to get a Dressage saddle if just starting off....?
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If you an get yourself into a decent 'dressage position' to do the movements, it doesn't matter if it's a GP saddle.
 
Yuutube has all the tests done by all shapes and sizes. I also use it to help learn my tests x

Have a go what the worst that can happen? Even if you get a mediocre score... thats is your challenge- to improve it next time?

Have fun x
 
U can download all tests from www.dressagediagrams I use them all the while as it is quicker than waiting for the post. Don't forget to check rules for tack (which bit you can use, no boots or martingale ect) good luck n have fun
 
LisaS said:
Go on go for it :)


I would love to do Dressage too. Just don't know how to get started. Do I need to get a Dressage saddle if just starting off....?
Click to expand...

No, not at all! Obv if you were doing higher affiliated levels, you'd want to look at things differently, but you definitely don't need one for lower or unaffiliated.

One thing to bear in mind, tho, is boots/bandages/bits/nosebands and other tack - a lot of unaff is still run under BD rules for these and there are things that outright won't be permitted. You can find the rules here: http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/rules
 
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Or have a go at 'dressage anywhere' on line first and see how you get on, it's great fun! My friend and I do quite a bit of prelim dressage (I do both online and at shows), neither of us are flashy and occasionally we motorbike around the corners a bit or even strike off on the wrong leg but it's great fun! :)
 
Give it a go, you will be fine. It is very simple at intro or prelim and you would have to go pretty wrong to get eliminated (I've had a horse jump the boards and buck in the same test and we still got over 50%).

You can download the tests legally from the dressage diagrams website but basically there is no lateral work in intro or prelim it is just transtitions where instructed and basic shapes like 20m circles and serpentines.

Talk to your instructor, they should be supportive, if not sack em!
 
My daughter is a SJ'er through & through but decided to have a bash at dressage on her JC cob - just for a laugh:)

She did a prelim test on her first attempt & scored 65%, got 3rd place & qualified for the 2nd round of trailblazers :D

She then qualified for the finals & despite being a fish out of water on a coloured jumping pony we went for the experience. He only scored about 56% but still they didn't look that out of place & the other people there were all lovely! She really enjoyed the bit of dressage she did so I would say go for it!! :D
 
Awww give it a go!!

it's always nice to have an excuse to get take your horse out and about and get dressed up! Dressageanywhere is really good too - you can have a bash at a few tests without worrying about nerves affecting your performance.

If you enjoy schooling you'll find your score & comments can really helps bring a bit of focus to your sessions and also to your lessons.

We got 55% in our first walk and trot test as I forgot how to ride, and when my horse wasnt looking like a camel he was trying to look over the fence for his friend, but hey you have to start somewhere!

Warning though it's pretty addictive.
 
LisaS said:
Go on go for it :)


I would love to do Dressage too. Just don't know how to get started. Do I need to get a Dressage saddle if just starting off....?
Click to expand...

LisaS: I will if you will!


To everyone else, thanks for the support! I'm sure my instructor will be supportive, but concerned that she might just laugh at me when she thinks I'm not looking! lol And my share horse's owner (who's also teaching me) had me back on the LR last week so I suspect she thinks I've got a cat in hell's chance!!
 
For an intro test if you can walk and trot off the lead rein and steer enough to do changes of rein and basic shapes you will be fine.
 
Mythical said:
LisaS: I will if you will!


To everyone else, thanks for the support! I'm sure my instructor will be supportive, but concerned that she might just laugh at me when she thinks I'm not looking! lol And my share horse's owner (who's also teaching me) had me back on the LR last week so I suspect she thinks I've got a cat in hell's chance!!
Click to expand...

That's a deal, we can help each other :D
 
I'm doing my first intro test on Sunday and am bricking it, even though I know I am perfectly capable of walking and trotting round an arena for 4/5 mins. I am mostly worried about how my spooky pony will behave (especially in a snaffle) but I am telling myself that if it is a complete disaster, then I just won't do another one, no big deal, but until I have a go I'll never know & might even end up enjoying it.
 
When I did my first one when I was 14 I completely forgot the figure 8 movement of my test and was then confused about how I was down the wrong end of the school and had to trot back.
:) I never got eliminated though. I'd go for it. I keep toying with the idea of going back and doing some prelim/novice but I'm too lazy.
 
I don't think you'll be able to get hold of any free downloads of tests online, but there will probably be some at your stables/tack shop for 50p. Below is a video of my first ever Intro A test, sorry if the filming's a bit wobbly but you should be able to get the idea! I was pretty nervous before but once you get in there you're concentrating a lot so it's not that scary! Also, the judge is only going to eliminate you if something goes really badly wrong, so I wouldn't worry about that :) Just give it a go! I've only ever done one test (at Xmas) however have now caught the dressage 'bug' and am doing my second on Easter Monday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l214...DvjVQa1PpcFORdW9EaGkFonCAmvg3ZLs-3wSrQO0LrD0=
 
Go for it, I got into it 2 years ago and must admit am now hooked, I started off with the Intro tests and then worked my way up to Prelim. Like others have said making a couple of mistakes doesn't automatically mean you're eliminated.

Have fun! :)
 
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