Eurgh entered first BD Elementary - help!!

Pigeon

Pigeon

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Neither of us are particularly ready, but I know our first one will be horrible - thought I might as well get it out of the way! ;)

It's Elem 40. There doesn't seem to be anything too nasty! What are they looking for at this level as opposed to novice? Are there any obvious mistakes to be made in this test? :p
 
The first time I did an Elementary test, I lost by 1 mark. I had received a 2 mark error of course penalty for.......forgetting to halt on the first centre line. When I shared my stupidity on Facebook, it transpired that this is a common mistake!

Good luck and enjoy yourself!
 
Forgetting the first salute is a right of passage for your first elementary, no?

They won't be expecting anything too different from novice just the horse being more together and uphill, but then really the horse will need to be for the harder tests anyway, as the movement come up faster and require a bit more togetherness to do well. Though any collection just needs to be enough to preform the movement, so don't be too tempted to ask for too much, it's elementary not advanced ;)!

To be honest I have found that when people have said its a tricky level they're right, and not because its too difficult I just find it hard to score well in if that makes sense. We've scored 70% at novice but only managed a handful of high 60's in the two seasons at Ele, Medium we're already mid 60's in only a handful of tests? Seems bizarre to me as I think Medium is sooo much more difficult, but maybe it's just us :lol:.

Good luck and report back!
 
Ele 40 has collected trot - think power not slow. The mediums should be marker to marker not some strides and a real transition in and out of medium trot. Outline should be a little 'prouder'. This is all for the higher marks. For your first, ride it like a novice, however the movements come thick and fast compared to a novice. Don't forget your first halt - and practice a smooth, reactive straight trot out of halt - it gives a great first impression to us judges ;)
 
AlexHyde said:
Forgetting the first salute is a right of passage for your first elementary, no?
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yep :D I actually halted, thought "is this right?" didn't salute as had a total brain meltdown, and then moved off. minus 2!!


To be honest I have found that when people have said its a tricky level they're right, and not because its too difficult I just find it hard to score well in if that makes sense. We've scored 70% at novice but only managed a handful of high 60's in the two seasons at Ele, Medium we're already mid 60's in only a handful of tests? Seems bizarre to me as I think Medium is sooo much more difficult, but maybe it's just us :lol:.
!
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No, I find the same, it's one of the reasons I hardly did any with Millie and Kira is only doing enough to qualify, and then we'll get a wriggle on and start medium in the new year. I think I ride better at medium, somehow puts me in a better mindset. Plus wowzers paces still count for a lot at Elem, IME, so you can get nice marks but still be out of the placings, whereas by medium the training starts to become more influential as it's all getting much more exacting. Would be nice to have wowzers paces AND training, but beggars can't be choosers ;)

Good luck OP :)
 
milliepops said:
yep :D I actually halted, thought "is this right?" didn't salute as had a total brain meltdown, and then moved off. minus 2!!
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:lol: :o this is exactly what I did, I then also ad lib'ed some extra 10m circles so you know did it 'properly' to not start with a great score :lol:
 
When I did my first Elementary I got all stressed about having to do collected trot but my trainer - a list 1 judge - told me not to worry and just to do my normal trot. Obviously worked as we got a high 60s. I also agree that Ele is a funny level and that medium tests seem much nicer.
 
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