Dressage Newbie

[Lisa_fmh]

Hi, Just wanted some advise, i want to start doing some unaffilated dressage with my loan horse. Am i right in thinking the Walk & Trot tests would be a good way to start? Also with the Prelim tests do they get harder the higher number it is? Eg is prelim 13 harder than prelim 7? Thanks

 

[Jemayni]

Hey! Walk & trot tests would probably be a good place to start if your not very confident. And I think technically tests are supposed to get harder as the numbers increase, but I dont think this is actually the case. For example 13 is much harder than 7; but IMO 13 is harder than 18.

 

[Madam_max]

I think in theory they are supposed to get harder, but it depends what your strengths are. Some horses may switch off for example by going large a lot and need more going on to help them concentrate.

 

[parsley]

I have only recently started doing dressage - the venue I go to always runs two prelim tests. I started by buying both tests (£1.50 from dressage diagrams on line) and just chosing the one that I thought my horse would find easiest. I knew that cantering on a circle wasn't easy for him so I chose 13 where you only have to canter half circles. We have been practising a lot since then so we do both now

So I think that they are supposed to get more difficult as they go up, but it depends on what you and your horse find difficult

The walk and trot test would be a nice introduction for both of you.

Hope you have a great time

 

[Taboo1968]

That was how things used to go! But for some reason the new tests 12,13,14 seem to be harder than 16, 17 & 18!!!! If you can canter ok, I wouldnt bother with walk and trot!!!