Help needed in training my gelding for our first ode!

[summerxox]

Hi Guys,

I have got my first ODE with my gelding in 6 weeks and in both jumping phases I am quite confident in however dressage is definatley our weakspot. At home he goes lovley in a menage but when I try to do it in our field arena he tenses up and his trot gets really short and uncomfortable. He is ridden in the grass arena at least twice a week but he always gets tense. I have to be able to ride the test on grass as that is what he will be on at the event. Has anyone got any ideas that can help me get him to relax?

 

[*hic*]

Yup, ride him on grass in your field to warm up before you ever take him into the arena, in fact just have a muck about, and then work on your test next to your grass arena rather than in it.

 

[khalswitz]

Ditto. Have a good gallop about, long cantering off his back etc first. Then when you do ride in the arena, ride FORWARD. My boy is very tense, and having a good contact and LOTS of leg, really riding leg to hand and getting him bending and focussing on his transitions soon loosens him up.

Also try and ride on grass as often as poss. Training for the surface you compete on and all that.

 

[Charmin]

Ditto other replies. Also do you wear studs on grass? My made can be very precious about slipping on grass and will shuffle around unless she feels secure, then she strides out!