wellsat
Well-Known Member
When do you think you are ready to move up a level in dressage? Interested in people's opinions as seeing real variety in competitors locally.
Hmm, but if the horse is going well, then surely the scores would reflect this? If you're getting 5s and 6s across the board, then wouldn't that suggest that more work needs to be done before moving on?If affliated I personally like to be comfortably schooling at home at least a level above the level I am competing. Scores are irrelevant IMO, its the way of going of the horse and how correct the schooling is.
Hmm, but if the horse is going well, then surely the scores would reflect this? If you're getting 5s and 6s across the board, then wouldn't that suggest that more work needs to be done before moving on?
Sorry, i was meaning scores are irrelevant as in just because you are scoring 65% at a certain level dosent mean you are necessarily ready to move up to the next level. Its all about the way of going and what level you are schooling at comfortably at home etc.
This! Even if your horse is working well at home, if he's blowing up in the collecting ring, then surely he's not ready mentally.Secondly, time spent putting the foundations in is never time wasted. Moving up the levels isn't just about 'doing the moves' it's about the whole package. producing a sane and sensible horse that can cope in a competition atmosphere.
And this.If we went out BS and put the horse in a 1.30 just because it can jump 1.40 at home, having done one or two classes at a lower level there would be an outcry, especially if you riding was only worthy of a '5'. So why not the same in dressage.
Sorry, i was meaning scores are irrelevant as in just because you are scoring 65% at a certain level dosent mean you are necessarily ready to move up to the next level. Its all about the way of going and what level you are schooling at comfortably at home etc.
Someone can be well established at say Novice level BD and getting decent scores, but it dosent necessarily mean that they or their horse are ready to move up to elementary level. It depends on what level the horse is comfortably schooling at at home etc.
Ive seen many riders do a good novice test and then go in and do an elementary test and not get a decent score at all because they simply aren't ready.
Its all up to horse and rider IMO, everyone schools and trains in different ways and everyone will move up when they feel ready its not for other people to say.
With dressage you can always just have a go at the higher level and see how you get on. Worst that can happen is you get a terrible score, come out of the ring feeling like the ground should swallow you up and go back to lower level.
IIRC they no longer shoot people for crapo tests
Its not like jumping where there can be serious (often painful) problems if your ambition exceeds your / horses ability.
Only prob with this is if you are competing BD and bringing horse on to sell, you probably wouldn't want a test score of 50% (or less) on its record.
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