Frustrated with French dressage

[Casey76]

I keep looking at the dressage tests with both of my ponies in mind and go yep, yep, yep we can do that, then there is a big fat NO right in the middle of the test. pah.

Why would you have lateral work (OK, three steps of moving the quarters over) in the easiest, most basic test there is? Although you are allowed to do rising trot, the test actually calls for 2 20m circles in sitting trot, and also 2 20m circles in canter... and most bizarrely for you to take your feet out of the stirrups and retake stirrups when changing the rein along the long diagonal. No schooling whip allowed in the test (but is in the warm up).

This test is so under subscribed that hardly any venue hosts it (but there is one at the end of Sep at a place just over 40 mins away).

However in the next level up, you have to show medium walk and g/r rein in canter (reins "flottant" without a change in attitude or amplitude) - neither of which my ponies are ready for!

I'm itching to get out and about, but dressage comps are very few and far between in my area and most require at least an hours travel :/

*pah*

 

[Goldenstar]

The stirrup thing is a bit funky I think we should try it in the BE tests .

 

[Dizzle]

I quite like the sound of that, that added element of people falling off in the most basic test would really lighten the day up!

Would love to see some more international dressage tests and compare them, I never thought they'd be too different!

 

[Palindrome]

Ahah, does not make sense to me and I'm French! No wonder we never get any medals (perhaps we would if the gogue was authorized at international comp!!!). All the French riders I know are only interested in show jumping though ...

But go for it and have fun .

 

[Nakipa]

Why don't you do the Club 3 test which is pretty straightforward and new for the 2016 season you can do it all in rising trot?

I think that is the Club 4 test you have described and I wouldn't even attempt that for a first test. The Club 2 test I think is very hard with lots of leg yielding and the start of counter canter and goes back to compulsory sitting trot.

 

[Nakipa]

I just looked at the tests again. The Club 3 Grand Prix is a much better test than either the Club 4 Imposee or the Club 3 Preliminaire. Look at the 3, it will suit you fine I should think.

 

[gunnergundog]

The stirrup thing is a bit funky I think we should try it in the BE tests .

Some of us already have done.....albeit unintentionally and a long time ago!

The XC course at Bishop Burton used to run right by the dressage arenas at one point, and I mean right by! This resulted in ned performing various airs above ground and yours truly being all but unseated.