How to develop accuracy in dressage

Mule

Mule

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I have a real problem with spatial awareness, so I lose easy marks in dressage tests for things like my circles not being 20 metres. I don't seem to be able to visualise what 20 metres is, despite a lot of practice.
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Does anyone have any ideas on how I can figure this out.
 
Good question, I have exactly the same problem so will be interested to hear answers from others. I also regularly get lost in tests if I don't know the pattern well enough.

For circles the only thing that has worked for me is muscle memory from knowing how much do turn my body to give a circle of a certain size. So drawing out a circle then riding it over and over getting the degree of turn in my body just right. I'm pretty good with circles using that method, it's the 10m loops and the like that can still catch me out though!
 
Football markers like these are absolutely brilliant for marking out shapes.

https://www.discountfootballkits.com/Football-Markers-Cones

For example for a 20 m circle at B, put one either side of the track at B, E, and either side of the point where your circle crosses the centre line.
Then ride the shape again and again. The girl that shares one of my ponies (17 so not that young!), seems to have no spatial awareness either, and this has really helped her. Good luck. :) x
 
Interesting. I'll try that.
Oops posted too early. I already do this and it helps but I still haven't got it
 
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look up! you don't need to visualise where you're going if you know the 'spots' you're aiming for. Split all the curved moves into 2 or 3 point and your circles into 4 'points' that you target, look up and ride to each of those and you'll be away. For things like 15m circles in random places, walk the test, lay out 4 small targets (even just twigs) and do the shape on foot looking up- when you're aiming for that target when you look ahead where is it you're looking- and use these as your targets.
 
I have found riding the circle initially as a square helped me to understand whereabouts I needed to be closest to the long side. If you mark the long side in 10 metre sections, then ride the square from A to marker 4 metres after H, then to X then to marker 4 meters after M and then to A you might find it will help you to get the right size then you round it off to a circle. for a 20 m circle at E, mark 10m from X on the centre line opposite A and C. I think it's easy to let the circles become egg shaped because we head towards a letter. Don't know if any of that makes sense!
 
I don't do a lot of dressage but I do also struggle with accuracy of movements. I do what niki does laying out small cones at the four markers and first ride squares round them and then slightly soften the turn and it gets you to a fairly accurate circle. For me it's the size that I get wrong so the cones help me to see how big the circle should be.

At our yard, they've also done clinics it's where the whole circle is marked out with more cones, so you can really see the complete shape and ride that, that's probably a good place to start.

Then I'd build up to doing it without markers and having someone on the ground comment.

You could also video yourself regularly as that may help.
 
This may sound odd but if you can get a friend to help and an arena that is 20m wide, try riding the circles with your eyes closed with a friend at X saying X X X X X X and ride to what you hear instead of see, so that you learn the feel of the circle and you are not looking for points. It takes out the need to think when you get the feel in your head, and spatial/visual awareness is not needed.
 
Best way i have found is to find markers outside of the letters. If you start from C, your target will be half way between H and E , going over X to half way between B and M
 
equi said:
Best way i have found is to find markers outside of the letters. If you start from C, your target will be half way between H and E , going over X to half way between B and M
Click to expand...

Similar to this, on a circle visulise 4 "points" you need to hit, so actually riding a diamond/off set square, but with correct bend and curve of your horse will make it look like a circle. One dressage trainer made me count strides between each point, to make circle even.
Also be accuate All The Time. Everytime you school alway do a transition at an exact point etc. If it was rubbish transition redo it, but it get you used to 'test' riding.
 
equi said:
Best way i have found is to find markers outside of the letters. If you start from C, your target will be half way between H and E , going over X to half way between B and M
Click to expand...

Trouble is that it isn't halfway, that's how people get wrong sized or egg shaped circles and why it's helpful to measure and mark.
 
Count strides. I really struggled with 15m circles until someone told me to count my strides. I now know if I start my circle 3 trot strides after A/C, turn across the school 3 strides later, turn again 3 strides after the centre line and 3 again after 3 strides I'll make it back to A/C. As long as you make your turns fairly gradual you'll form a pretty decent circle.
Same with 1/2 10m circles - start turning two strides after B/E, turn for the centre line after 2 strides, go straight for 4 strides on the centre line then start turning the opposite way and then 2 strides later back to the track - again as long as you're not doing handbrake turns, you should form a decent shape.

You need to work out the distance according to your horse's stride. Mine is 17hh and fairly large striding so if yours is smaller or has a shorter stride you might need to go 4 and 3.
 
I have Monocular vision which means my depth perception doesn't rally exist. I was struggling the same as you, until my OH added tape to my fencing at 10m and 20m. This has helped no end with my marks and I can now work out against the length of the boards where I am supposed to be.
 
I found the book "Master Dressage" really helpful:

https://masterdressage.co.uk/

It has lots of hints and tips about how to make your movements really accurate. For me, a combination of reading and learning the theory of accuracy, along with lessons with someone who is very hot on their accuracy too really helped me.

every time you ride in an arena, ride to your markers - don't wander around aimlessly. It is easy to just meander about when you are schooling on your own, but if you make it a habit to always ride to your markers, then it is makes riding your tests much much easier.

Often judges will do ring craft lessons, which can be invaluable for practical demonstrations.
 
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