Dressage; starting out...advice please??

[el_Snowflakes]

Hi everyone,

Id love to try my hand at dressage as iv never done it before. What should i be practicing? Does anyone know where I can find out the tests? Im guessing I would be starting at intro level?

 

[Elbie]

Into level is a good start - it's not as simple as walking and trotting round, they want to see your horse moving forward, although they shouldn't have to be "on the bit", likewise they shouldn't be carrying the weight of they're head on your hands.

You can buy tests from dressage diagrams website. There are only a few walk and trot tests. Maybe try one and then if you like try your hand at the prelim tests.

I would practice being accurate - so accurate 20m circles (at B and E, not just A and C), straight lines when changing the rein, practice coming up the centre line so you are straight and also getting a nice halt (they like square halts even in walk & trot tests!)

Also practice riding and smiling and not looking ill like i do most of the time!

 

[Elbie]

Also, make sure you ride to the letters - so if you walk at A, you should walk when your shoulder is level with A

 

[core]

You can download the tests for free at http://www.usdf.org/downloads/forms/index.asp?TypePass=Tests

Here's another link for people just getting into dressage: http://www.usdf.org/about/about-dressage/newtodressage.asp