First Novice test booked - eeekk!

[Lauren_abigail]

So I have booked me and the boy into our first Novice test (Unaff)

Does anyone have any hints / tips / pharmaceutical recommendations to keep me calm?! :lol:

We are doing Novice 28.

I'd like to know as well what I should be expecting scores wise - I understand that I wouldn't be looking at the types of scores I have been getting at prelim (65 - 69% dependent on rider error!)

I keep coming over all dizzy when I think about it...

 

[Under-the-radar]

My first novice I dropped the score quite a bit because I was nervous (because I was riding a Novice test!!) and so rode some parts of the test poorly. Although having said that, I haven't improved much as I just recently rode my first elementary test and rode parts of that badly as I went in with the perception that it was difficult!

Just keep focused and ride your horse like you know how! Ride each movement as a preparation for the next, leave any errors you make behind and keep thinking of the next movement. Sit tall, think proud and enter the arena looking like you are MEANT to be there! Don't think of any of the movements as difficult, just decide how you are going to best prepare for them. I use a lot of mental rehearsal before shows, which I do find very useful - either watching me riding the test from the judges point of view, or riding it first person imagining what I will see, how I will be using my weight / legs etc

Good luck and enjoy

 

[Arniebear]

I scored better in my first novice than in prelims, I think this particular judge took a dislike when me and my boy walked in for the prelim (warm up test i always run him in 2!) as hes a big 17.2 warmblood who sort of looks the part, i think they wandered why we were still at prelim! to put that into context i rode against a friend who was on her first dressage test with her youngster she only had him 3 weeks and she scored higher than me, and she wont mind me saying this - he was a wobbly baby whereas my guy could at the time hold and sustain his own outline and had been in work for the previous 5months whereas her little lad hadnt! she even agreed with me that they marked me alot harsher than they marked her! Needless to say i havent ridden a prelim since! I even got our first ever 9 in our first ever novice! My only advice is just enjoy it! and yes i was very surprised with my score (66%) we even got a 3rd!

Best of luck!

 

[eggs]

Good luck and enjoy it. I'm another who found that my scores improved when I moved up to novice from prelim - probably because my boy liked medium trot.

I always found Rescue Remedy helpful!

 

[Lauren_abigail]

I certainly don't expect to get 66% But we'll give it a go!

I'm not looking forward to the medium trot as we aren't fab at it, however any medium canter should be fine as Jack is more than happy to extend in the canter.

Our counter canter needs work as well, but as it's in a few weeks time I'm hoping to step up my game and get some really good schooling sessions in.

I think Rescue Remedy and perhaps a hip flask before hand may help!