Elementary 44: any tips?

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smja

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Hi all,

Horse and I will be attempting Elementary 44 on Saturday - a first at that level for both of us. We're getting decent scores at Novice but under no illusions as to our level of polish, so hoping that the H&H collective has some sage advice :)

Horse moves correctly (mostly, if rider doesn't muck it up!) but isn't flashy. Any tips for riding the test that would help us?

Thank you :)
 
My trainer told me not to worry about collected trot and just to do our usual 'working' trot.

Things come up a bit quicker than in novice and most movements are ridden marker to marker but I didn't really notice that much difference between novice and elementary.
 
I have ridden this test twice now, it being our first test at Elementary level. Its lovely and I found it easier to remember than previous Novice ones. All I would say is be accurate and dont worry about the collected side of things. We struggle with medium trot but as long as you show a clear difference in trot then that should be enough. We won our first one and came 5th in our second comp. My fault as I forgot where we were going momentarily and turned too late, the other mistake was breaking into canter where he should have been med trotting. Enjoy,,,,!
 
Thank you everyone! Can't do collected trot at all, and the simple change will likely be pants, but it will be good to do a different test.

Did you ride sitting trot, or rising? I know you are allowed to do either but not sure if there's a 'preferred' choice.
 
smja said:
Thank you everyone! Can't do collected trot at all, and the simple change will likely be pants, but it will be good to do a different test.

Did you ride sitting trot, or rising? I know you are allowed to do either but not sure if there's a 'preferred' choice.
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do whichever is best for you and your horse (usually rising).
 
Oh,and the simple change is just one movement, so don't worry about it going wrong, there are lots of other marks to be gained. I haven't ridden E44 for years, is the SC still across the middle of the school? If so, that's quite well placed if you really ride the turn well to engage the horse and collect the canter. Nice than having to ride them on the diagonal ;)
 
I did it all in rising trot. If you You Tube it thats helpful. The simple change is across the middle near the end of the test. Really enjoyed that bit, my boy may not have a big trot but he has a lovely canter which when collected up for this went well, we got an 8 woohoo! You are also allowed to compete Elementary in a double bridle too just in case you didnt know...
 
milliepops said:
do whichever is best for you and your horse (usually rising).
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Izzwizz said:
I did it all in rising trot.
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Ok, rising it is :)

milliepops said:
Oh,and the simple change is just one movement, so don't worry about it going wrong, there are lots of other marks to be gained. I haven't ridden E44 for years, is the SC still across the middle of the school? If so, that's quite well placed if you really ride the turn well to engage the horse and collect the canter. Nice than having to ride them on the diagonal ;)
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Yes, across the BXE line. You're right, always look on the bright side!

Izzwizz said:
You are also allowed to compete Elementary in a double bridle too just in case you didnt know...
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He's never worn a double so I don't think that's relevant for us yet :D
We've spent ages getting this horse to take the contact forwards, so likely to stick to the snaffle for a while longer until he's really secure.
 
Thank you for your help/calming words, everyone - it went fine, the world didn't end, and he got another red frilly thanks to the very kind judge being blinded by our new blingy browband :D
 
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