How do you start off doing dressage?

[Fizzy candy]

Hi. Thanks so much for all the info - this is such a helpful forum! Could I ask how you start off in dressage? I can't work out how to find a suitable beginner event and how to prepare for it? Also what do I need - special tack or clothes or boots? Sorry if it's a very basic q! Thanks

 

[Shay]

First - find a show. Have a look on things like equo events, riding diary etc. My personal view is that it is better to start with an unaffilliated show - but others may disagree. Ideally for me a pony club or riding club show as they tend to be more forgiving. But that will depend on where you live.

Then - look at the tests they offer. You probably need a walk & trot test to start with. BD tests are a but annoying for beginners as you can't find the tests onlilne without paying for them. That makes it a bit difficult for someone who hasn't tried them before to figure out if they are suitable for them. (Or find a friend who has bought the book...)

Enter reasonably early - most shows close dressage entries one week before the event and you get your time to ride 2 or 3 days before.

Enjoy!


You don't need "special" tack - but you can only compete in a snaffle. You also can't have a martingale - but you can have a breast plate as long as you take the martingale bit off. No boots for the horse. For you - at low levels clean and neat is probably enough. But ideally beige / white Johds and a dark or tweed jacket. Gloves - light or dark - and hair in a hairnet.

 

[Fizzy candy]

Fantastic thanks. What sort of things do you have to do for walk and trot level? I am working on leg yielding, turning around a point (nose in) and squares. But they are still messy!

 

[millikins]

They are looking for accuracy, maintaining a rhythm and obedience at these levels. That the same trot etc is maintained for the whole manoevre. If it says trot at B, that is what you do, not a couple of strides either side , it is easy to waste marks by being inaccurate. And correct bend on corners and circles. Maybe watch some tests on You Tube to get a better idea.

 

[Shay]

You won't need to do either leg yield or turn on the forehand (which is what you are describing) for some time!!

If you look on the PC website for their dressage tests it will give you a rough idea. You can find it here
http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/disciplines/dressage/dressage_tests/

You can find the walk & trot tests under the third tab -other tests. Also bear in mind that what the PC calls Novice BD will call prelim and what PC calls intermediate BD will call Novice - so the names are not always applicable across the grades.

So - for a walk & trot test you will have to be accurate in transitions at your markers. Do 20m circles with an accurate shape and do a free walk on a long rein without a change of direction. Thats all - although it can be harder than it looks to do it well.

If you move up a bit the next step is the grassroots type tests which introduce canter and half circles. By Novice test you need to have give & re-take of the reins, transitions on the diagonal and free walk which also changes direction.

By intermediate you have the start of counter canter and the start of medium trot. Leg yield doesn't appear until Open tests. Turn on the forehand doesn't appear at all -although it is a required movement for some PC tests (and you need it to open a gate!)

I don't have a BD book in front of me but the basic standards of test will be very similar.

The other thing to think about might be interdressage. This is where you ride your dressage tests at home, video yourself and upload it to a website for judging. You can find that here http://www.interdressage.com/ They have thousands of test options - but a quick skip through them shows the progression is very similar to PC.

 

[Fizzy candy]

Fab! So helpful. I didn't even know you could do online ones. I can't wait to get started! Thanks

 

[TGM]

Do you have lessons with an instructor? If you do, they should be able to advise you what dressage tests would be suitable for your stage of training, or whether it would be better to wait a little longer and do a bit more preparation. If you don't have lessons, might be worth booking a couple so that the instructor can give an assessment of how well you and your horse is going, what areas need improvement and how to ride the movements of a dressage test, etc. They should also be able to give you advice on whether your current tack is suitable, what to wear etc.

Then have a look at your local Riding Clubs and see what they have to offer in the way of dressage competitions - if you can find some described as 'have a go' or classes restricted to those who have not won before, then these might be a good choice for a first time out.

 

[Janah]

If you have a local riding club maybe an idea to go to one of their dressage days and watch. this will give you a good idea of how it all works.