Dyslexia and dressage

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tikino

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hi guys i am dyslexic and would eventually like to do some dressage and eventually do some eventing at intro and if im brave pre novice . The problem is i struggle with remembering the order of the markers and the test itsself due to my crap memory.

Is any you guys dyslexic and if so how do you learn test. Also how do non dyslexic people learn tests
 
Im not dyslexic but my memory is awful so i used to mark a piece of paper with the letters and trace out my test.
you could also get someone to read it to you while you do it

think the saying is: all kings edwards horses canter merrily by forests
 
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I do the same as above, I sit with a marked out arena on a piece of paper and trace it with my finger. I used to really struggle but since doing it this way I've not forgotten one :D
 
hmm.. in that case i would usually try to learn it in bits and then piece them together.
could you break it down into sections and tick them off once you learn them?

i used to walk it on foot too - it takes ages though :p
 
get a piece of plain A4 paper and mark out where the various markers are (akehcmbf etc) then you can either trace the movements with your finger or use a pen and draw in the movements.

eg:
enter a, up the centre line - draw a straight line up the page from a to c.
turn left, 20m circle left a B - draw close to the edge of the paper until you get to where B would be and the draw a circle.

will try to upload a pic
 
You can download the dressage test onto your iPod to practise. Save either holding it while riding or having to find someone to read it all the time.
Personally I learn dressage tests by shapes so if someone asked me which letter the movement happened I couldn't tell them.

So to me: up the centre line, turn left, half way down the long side 20m circle next corner canter around the arena to judges, trot, across the next diagonal.
I would avoid reading and letters all together, I never let such things complicate my dressage. :D
 
I have a laminated piece of paper with a 20 by 40 arena marked on it with all the letters round the outside. I then sit with the test infront of me, I read the first movement then trace it with my finger round my arena.
Once I know the 1st moves I add the second lot and trace them both and so on, hope that makes sense :confused:
 
picture.php


please excuse any marker mistakes
 
Practice, practice, practice.

I found that learning the markers was just a waste of time so for example change rein across diagnol at that spot not at K or whatever.

I just ride the test so many times it becomes imbedded in my mind.
 
I use a rectangle marked out on the floor, or a rug. And while reading the test i walk, jog or run from point to point as if doing the test.
 
Same prob :) Mine was only caught at uni when I was 19 too!

Forget about learning the markers, I find they confuse me and sort of....float about my mind if I try and concentrate on them??

Learn patterns not letters. I walk out my dressage test, and you'll often find me jigging around the living room pretending to do a collected canter....but it works! And don't worry if it gets frustrating, leave yourself enough time to learn them thoroughly so you don't get stressed...

PS practice practice practice!
 
You have my sympathy as I have the same problem - I have to be very careful if the a and c arena markers are the opposite ends to mine, as have been known to start a test backwards!!

I bought a plastic board that has an arena marked out on it that you can draw the test out on, similiar to the laminated card idea, and can rub out and re-use when needed. Also as others have said, learn by shapes rather than letters....

I am attempting my first dressage test in ages next week and am bricking it - and am just hoping there is somone there willing to read for me, just as a security blanket.

I suppose, as with all these things, the more you do it the easier it becomes.

Good luck x
 
Sounds silly but... I put post it notes around my room in an arena and I actually walk/trot it out myself. Helps me to get the correct pace at a certain marker etc.
If not some places do the whiteboards with a black pen that have the letters on, so you just draw it on :)
 
I'm dyslexic too, I find you just have to read through it over and over, and also walk through it, it gets easier to remember the more times you do it. I just give myself a couple of weeks to learn the test :D My sister can learn one in a few minutes :rolleyes:
 
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