First Dressage Test

Persephone

Persephone

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I have bought a nice dressage saddle, ordered my walk/trot prelim laminated sheet. My Instructor thinks our flatwork isn't bad, and we have improved a lot over the winter.

But I just feel that we are all the gear no idea!!

Marked out an arena on a nice flat bit of field. So we can practice.

What next? Do I practice the test? Practice the moves but not in order? Just teach my horse the test (bad I suppose!)?

I am a VERY nervous competitor but I am sure I could manage to do this given the right advice.

My main interest is SJ but horse can be quite hot jumping and would like to get her out and about and improve my confidence first. See how she copes at an event/other horses/crowds etc.

Can anyone suggest any kind of training length of time? I just procrastinate too much and I'll end up doing nothing at this rate. I always think, oh work on that a bit more etc. and never feel we are good enough.

I have such a beautiful horse who is capable of so much but my lack of confidence is holding us back.

Any help mightily appreciated!

Jo x
 
Dressage at the lower levels is a posh word for schooling! Go and have a go. Then take the sheet and read the comments. If you do it regularly you will have a much nicer horse to ride in the long run.

Practise the movements if you want. Just watch out if your horse starts to predict.
 
Just enter something, then practise the test. I always ride through the test I am doing, but my horse is too daft to remember it!!! Once you have done one, you will know what you have to work on next time!!!
 
Just go for it! Book your test and you'll never look back. Don't forget, you can have someone to call your test for you, so you don't have to worry about remembering it on the day. Another person is also a moral support!
 
I completely agree with what everyone else has said, you go for it girl and, welcome to the dark side!

So many marks are lost at W&T and Prelim levels through poor accuracy and not making full use of the arena. Try to ensure that you use your corners (unless you are doing a circle of course) and practise your centre line and halts. Free walk on a long rein will give you double marks so no matter how your horse is going, you can make up for bad performance by concentrating on accuracy
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Another tip is to practise smiling as you ride your test at home. So many riders start their test up the centre line and look as if they are scowling at the judge! A smile at the judge will make the test more positive for him/her and for you.

So in short :

Relax, their is life after a dressage test.
Smile at the judge.
Be proud of your beautiful horse, she is a Diva.
Use your corners and turn in plenty of time.
Set up your next move so you dont have to turn sharply.
Remember that Anky, Isobel and Nicola all started here.
Breath
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One of my old trainers used to tell me to close my eyes and imagine I was a tall German dressage diva with the longest legs ever - try it, it works
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When is your competition? Im really excited for you Jo - do let us know how you get on.

Helen xx
 
Hi Jo,
Well done for doing it first of all! I have just started doing prelims and have only done 2 so far and scores were not very good but I had SO much fun and felt so pleased when I got the score sheets and had some lovely comments. The judge will know if you are doing a W&T test that you are not a dressage pro so I have found them to be very kind and supportive and they normally look on the bright side. I normally learn the test at home then do a run through on my pony and then work on any bits that are not so great, like transitions, and then do a final run through on the day before. a little tip which is really sad, I set out a little arena in the living room and walk trot and canter the test myself so i can get to grips with it before i do it on my horse. My OH just sits there with his head in his hands muttering 'bloody horses' but i promise it helps you to remember hehe!
 
Oh just go for it girl! I always have one or two rides though the tests at home (look at me sounding like I know what I’m doing, only done a handful of dressage tests). Where are you planning to go? I see you are in the south.
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Chortle...go for it. I don't think I'm too good, but managed to get a first at a show weekend before last, even with a broken canter (car was a really good excuse, even after we had dealt with the FLOWER POTS). Have some fun, take your sheet and when you go to your next one try and get a few marks more. One place you will really pick up marks is the entry. Keep it nice and straight by looking at the marker C and riding to it, you will feel if you horse is going a bit wonky and can adjust with leg and hand without taking your eye of C. I seem to always manage 7's or 8s for my straight lines...just the canters let us down...go to 5's or 6's. When I get my canter up to 7/8 I will go up to Novice...bit more challenging. Above all have a fun day out. Otherwise, its abit of a bore.
 
Just had a thought, you could as well enter the Interdressage competitions. They have one each month and you just send a video of yourself (or dvd or utube link) to them and they view it and mark it. Doesn't have to be ridden in an arena, just mark out your field will do. www.interdressage.com
 
I'd say Llwyncwn has given you some fantastic advice.

Your goal is to get out and do the test. Anything else is a bonus at this stage. Because it's your first test and the goal is to get out there and give it a go, I wouldn't analyse everything beforehand.

Don't try to rope your horse in at the front, they don't like that. Focus on rythmn and moving forwards. Think of each move in advance so you have time to prepare. As Llwyncwn says perhaps practive straight centre lines, well shaped circles, riding into the corners, transitions accurately at the markers or just before (better than after the marker). You can practice these things in your normal schooling and then perhaps just run through the test a couple of times.

Sitting up will help you fill your lungs and breathe deeply.

You will feel great for having done it. Just get out there girl and sock it to 'em.
Well done you for doing it!
 
Thankyou all so much for your advice! I feel much more positive and quite excited now! I'm off to have a look for my first comp now.

Will let you know!!

Jo x
 
I've looked and I think the best thing would be Moreton on the 31st August.

It's close to home and the warm up and test are both on all weather surface so no excuse to back out!

How exciting!!!
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Jo x
 
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