Elementary Dressage requirements

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josie_s

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I have just registered one of mine with BD. The thing is I know its early days but I am trying to plan ahead. Just checked out the Elementary tests and would like to know if I can get away with not showing a proper medium trot at BD. He can do all the other movements and is very regular and accurate. BUT wears egg bars has had Navicular for several years now and really stuggles with a true medium trot. He will show a difference in pace but cannot manage a proper medium. I expect the standard to be high but its so long since I've done any BD let alone elementary that I just dont know if he'l pull it off.
Sorry for baffling but what I'm trying to say is - if he gets good marks in the other movements will that make up for not showing a true meduim trot. Dont expect to qualify for regionals but would be nice to do area festivals.
Any help would be appreiated
 
Medium trot is only one movement, or two if you have to do it twice, nearly every horse has one weaker movement so I can't see that it would hamper you too much. So long as you expect to get a lower mark you won't be disappointed.

Why don't you go along and have a look at a local venue and see what the standard is around you as it varies so much.

If in time you get your horse to sit down more behind and come up through his shoulder I can't see how his shoes would make any difference to be honest, yes if he was on the forehand I could see how that would be uncomfortable for him, but true medium should be the weight behind and off the shoulder.
 
I understand what you are saying about it coming from his shoulder and not from his toes but he just kind of feels like he is protecting himself a little. A bit like on the very rare occasions that we jump (even on soft going) he likes to get close to the jump. Never was so bad before he was diagnosed several years ago. Never been great at lenthening either though, but he is a bit of a chunk so maybe that hinders him too.

Thanks for your help though
 
Dont really think he is particularly on the forehand either as he can really sit in the canter, and his tranistions dont fall in a heap generally, but I could be wrong
 
i dont think you'll be penalised too harshly if all the other movements are correct, go for it.
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Oh I'm sure you're right, it was only an 'if' he's on the forehand, wasn't suggesting he was
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If he sits well in his canter then I'm sure you will get a good enough mark for his medium work.

Have fun!
 
The only thing with medium is in a Novice test you have to show some medium trot strides, in elementary they are to start at the marker and finish at the marker - and I wouldn't worry about not showing them! One of mine hasn't got a clue what medium is and he is out doing novice tests and usually getting placed!

Go for it!
 
My mare cant do a 'proper' medium trot either, shes not built for it!! However she can still pick up 6's at elementary and Medium level for it as i make sure there is a clear difference shown between my trots.

She also beats some of the big WBs hands down and has won a good few elementary classes overall, not just the retstricted sections.
 
Not read the other replies, but I really woldn't worry about it at all. After all, its only a very small part of a test. And, at the end of the day, all horses have thier weak areas, no horse is perfect.

Give it a go!
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Ah, Thanks for that everybody, I was hoping thats what you might all say. Anyway doing two novice tests tonight so we'll see how that goes. Unaff at the min, not going BD til March but hoping to do some Elementary by maybe June / July if its on a surface

Thank you
 
Hi

Dutchie had egg bars and competed advanced medium with them (from the same problem which was solved) so don't worry, so it shouldn't cause him a problem.

He would be fine, if you know extensions are not your party trick, collect into the corner, half halt around the corner then propel into lengthened strides!! Then you will show a good difference, make it easier for him to engage his hindlegs and there is no reason why you can't get a 6 for it!
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Good luck!
 
Ah well, did the two novices and was quite pleased. Ok, so it was unaff but he got over 72% on each and in one I went the wrong way, Oops! got 6's fro all medium trots and 1 7's and 3 8's for medium canters. Most of the other stuff was 7's or 8's so looking forward to his registration papers coming so we can get some entries in.

Thanks everyone for help and encouragement
 
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