Dressage Test Divas....I need major help!!

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wizzi901

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Being a "jumper", I have finally decided to have my 2nd go at dressage....I really quite fancy it and now have my lovely loan horse who needs some work and it gives us a goal to aim for! Jumping is great but flatwork could be better.

Anyway, on Friday going to local riding centre to do couple of basic tests (one is walk and trot only!).

Having only done one proper dressage before (which was walk and trot) on our old pointer....about a year ago!

I CANNOT REMEMBER THE DAMN TESTS!!

I managed to remember one last time...but these just wont go in. Yes I can have a caller but its not guaranteed that me or my mate calling for each other will go well either!! We both practised on Sunday and were so off time it was unreal!!

How on earth do you remember two tests! (or one!).

I have tried drawing it, doing it in my head, on a bike, running around the yard, OH has even tried to help and I get halfway through and forget them.

I really think this is why I have avoided dressage before now! - I can remember any combination of jumps/course etc, but these are really basic and I just cannot remember them and keep panicing!!

its enough that I will have to think about what my huge ID is doing in the ring as its all new to him too!!!

HELLLLPPP!!! xxxx
 
Just ask the organiser if someone could read for you, or grab someone hanging around
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learn them as patterns, just as you would a sj course. for instance, enter, turn right, up the long side, 20m circle at the end you came in, across the middle, 20m circle at judge's end, walk immediately after, walk across diagonal.
i then act them out in miniature on my feet, turning where necessary as i envisage going through the test. (helps if no-one's around to laugh at you...!)
i learn them like that, never pay attention to learning the letters, and it sticks in my mind much better.
good luck, go and enjoy it!
 
As kerilli, I learn the pattern and ignore the markers (I only use them for accuracy). I go up the centre line, turn left or right, circle here, wibble there (5m loops lol), canter in the next corner, etc.
I find if I'm really worried about forgetting it, I ride enough different horses to be able to practise on one horse until I know it, and by that time the horse knows the test as well so is anticipating things (which doesn't matter because that's not the horse I am taking!)
Edited for spelling!
 
yes, agree with kerilli, unless something important like a transitition at a marker, i dont bother with remembering KXF its just across the diagonal,
and i see it as a map in head of movements. a friend also learnt like this but learnt on paper first so drew the movements within an arena drawn on paper, she mapped test out using different coloured pens for walk, trot, canter. on your dressage sheet draw A K E,,, around the edges of paper and follow finger round paper as you read through test??
 
yes, agree with marie, i do that too.
yes, Finn, it's much harder with the long arena - i have to say "extended trot across the longest diagonal" for e.g., but i've had quite a few times when i've been half-way across and forgotten which marker i should be aiming for...
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I'm the same as Kerilli. I go through it using patterns and draw them out from memory. Circle here, across the diagonal etc. With the easier tests you usually have to do transitions from trot to canter and back down between markers. The more tests you do the easier it gets as many of the patterns are similar. Also a lot of the tests are symmetrical. You do the same thing on both reins.

When Im learning two tests I learn the first one really well and then have a rough idea of the second. I practise both if poss and can also be seen galloping round the yard!!! Then I learn the second one properly after the first test is out of the way. I do find it difficult to remember 3 tests!!! It's my age!!!

If you have a reader make sure they are experienced at reading, ideally have done a bit of dressage before themselves and have a loud voice!!
 
I am ashamed to say that I don't really know the letters (apart from A & C) even after all this time. I learn tests just as patterns too. Stride it out on foot, but practice at least once on your horse, and try to visulise the area that you will be riding in too.

You CAN learn two tests, it just takes a long time if you are not used to it. Learn both, but on the morning of the competition just concentrate on the first one. When you have done it with hopefully enough time between tests, then go over the 2nd one.

As for reading, it is a bit of a knack, and the person needs to give you the instructions at the right time, not too early and not too late. And they want to keep a finger on what number they are at. (What has happened to the free walk on a long rein? .............. when my caller missed it out!)
 
Also helps if you know the venue and where the judge will sit then you can visualise it as you run through and put the patterns in so you know canter strike off in the corner before the judge , circle at the end away from the judge etc.

Well helps me.

Also means I'm rubbish first time out somewhere new!
 
I learn the patterns too, seems I'm not the only one!! I often call two different tests in the morning, then ride a 3rd test later. It IS possible, and I have a brain like a seive!!
 
I'm new to dressage and my brain cells certainly aren't what they used to be!!

Dressage Diagrams is a Godsend - it works out all the moves for you on little pictures and makes it so much easier to learn.
 
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