I cant do dressage, its impossible :(

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MagicMelon

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I just cant do it. Ive evented to CIC* level, showjumped BS, done pure RC dressage etc. but I just cannot do a simple dressage test. I have absolutely no confidence in it at all, I turn into a nervous wreck and ride like a total idiot so of course my poor horse (who is sensitive anyway) goes tense and I can barely get her into canter without tanking along in trot first. I feel like a novice rider for goodness sake! Put me in front of a show jump or decent sized XC fence and Im totally back within my comfort zone again. It just seems so stupid, everyone else masters the dressage and its the jumping they worry about. Not me :( Ive always struggled with it on other horses as well, I just hate being judged purely on my riding. Its really disheartening as we're normally always double clear so its all down to our rubbish dressage score which keeps us out of the highest placings usually. Ive tried doing pure dressage competitions to get over my nerves but Im just as bad with those, it doesn't help. No idea what I can do about it except not having sensitive type horses (which I love for jumping) and get more dope on a rope type horses who wont get so tense because I am! Ugh :(
 
Lévrier;13800440 said:
If you’ve evented to 1* level you must have done a dressage test - so you must be able to do it :D :D
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Thats the problem, Ive done countless dressage tests over the years yet I seem to have just got worse and worse to get to this rock bottom point! I cant remember the last time I got a BE or RC score under the 40's :(

Yeah maybe a sports pyschologist would help, I'll look into that thanks.
 
Rowreach said:
What are you like at home?
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Not worried about it so pretty normal I think. But I keep my horses at home so I never have an audience or even anyone walking past (like potentially at a livery yard). Its just the being watched and judged part I hate. I dont mind being watched jumping because style doesnt really come into it! I do ridden showing (WH etc.) occassionally and dont find that nearly as stressful so am fine with that.
 
Have you got any decent dressage trainers near you? When I was eventing I had a similar problem, in that I just didn't "do" dressage rather than that it made me nervous or tense - basically I didn't want to do it so I didn't try very hard :) But since it was a necessary evil, I started having lessons with a local list 1 dressage judge, who was very patient with me, and transformed me into someone who actually wanted to do dressage (she didn't quite make me into a dressage diva but never mind :) ) I'm just wondering if some steady sessions with a calm trainer who "gets" the issue would be any good?
 
I have just read Charlotte Dujardin's book. She was asked how she coped with nerves at the BIG competition and she said
"It is just another arena." (Although she did have sports physchologist help). It is walk trot and canter, at least you know what is expected!

A sympathetic dressage trainer should help to, as above.
 
Definitely a sports psychologist but also do some test riding clinics. Bd do a lot so hopefully there will be some in your area and I do t think you have to be a member (although they may charge a little more)
 
To begin with, dont say that "you cant" we believe these negative things we tell ourselves, say "you can, but you help to make it better". A sports psychologist would absolutely help, you are clearly more than capable in riding terms, you just need a little help to reset your mental attitude to competition dressage, you can do this.
 
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