I want to know EVERYTHING i need to know about dressage please? :p

ShowJumperBeckii

ShowJumperBeckii

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ok this month or two me and ebs are doing dressage due to the fact ebs has lost her conindence and flatwork will make her more supple for jumping :D
so i would just like to know your tips and advice when it comes to dressage and getting the highest possible marks you can get :p
1. do you pratice in banages or boots? and boots what kind front of back?
2.do you have to wear a dead sheep under your dressage saddle like showjumpers?
3. shes black so can i have any colour numnah for dressage at competions like SJing or does it need to plain white black ect?
anymore advice please? :) thanks alot x
 
Dress wise I think she would look very nice in a white numnah, but coloured numnahs are not dressage legal. You can wear a bit of sparkles, like my dressage stock has a couple of crystals on it, not too much but looks less boring :)

As for practicing I don't wear boots unless I plan on teaching a new movement that day or if I plan on doing some flying changes. I think your horse should be kept as much the same schooling at home as he/she does at a competition and as you're not allowed boots for comp I tend not to school in them.

At prelim level my biggest advice for you is to be dead accurate, this picks up a lot of marks, the judges aren't looking for a snazzy warmblood which can work in a beautiful outline. And forget about where her head is don't get into the habbit of sawing her head down or fixing your hands, work more on getting her hindquarters going, most judges would prefer to see a horse not in an outline but working 'properlly' then a horse with their head pulled down and teh hind legs in the next county :p

And when your warming up don't think ohh they look amazing way better then me! Chances are they won't be in your class and if they are they're just trophy chasers. Try to treat it like your competing against yourself rather then everyone else unlike show jumping :)

Hope you have fun and she will probably do good from a little break :)
 
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Kokopelli said:
Dress wise I think she would look very nice in a white numnah, but coloured numnahs are not dressage legal. You can wear a bit of sparkles, like my dressage stock has a couple of crystals on it, not too much but looks less boring :)

As for practicing I don't wear boots unless I plan on teaching a new movement that day or if I plan on doing some flying changes. I think your horse should be kept as much the same schooling at home as he/she does at a competition and as you're not allowed boots for comp I tend not to school in them.

At prelim level my biggest advice for you is to be dead accurate, this picks up a lot of marks, the judges aren't looking for a snazzy warmblood which can work in a beautiful outline. And forget about where her head is don't get into the habbit of sawing her head down or fixing your hands, work more on getting her hindquarters going, most judges would prefer to see a horse not in an outline but working 'properlly' then a horse with their head pulled down and teh hind legs in the next county :p

And when your warming up don't think ohh they look amazing way better then me! Chances are they won't be in your class and if they are they're just trophy chasers. Try to treat it like your competing against yourself rather then everyone else unlike show jumping :)

Hope you have fun and she will probably do good from a little break :)
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thanks alot :D
so nothing too 'jazzy' lol :(
 
Groom42 said:
How did she get on today with your friend?
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she went great
she didt spook in the corners the only problem was her slowing down
the change the rein in walk was done in a jog and the halt at G was done at C and i think the only reason she stopped was cause the white markers
i thought cause of this They had lost there place in the top 3 but she can 3rd!!!
and got some 8s for her canter circals and got like two 5s from were shes unbalanced and i guess she must of been a bit hollow
and to top it off at the end she was Actully SQUARE so i cant wait to get back on next week and do this for myself!
pretty good day i say

gotta love her sometimes ;) lol x
 
I've just started litle bits of dressage...I'm rubbish! What's the best way you learn? Watching someone? Lessons? Maybe a good book on essential dressage would be good for reference purposes?

Good luck and let us know how you get on
 
Well the best way to "learn" dressage is to get a good instructor who will help you to get her going correctly and will help you with your riding.
With prelim, as others have said, accuracy is the most important thing so unless you're riding a circle, really push her into the corners, make sure that she is completely straight going down the centre line and make sure she doesn't break into a gait that she shouldn't. Pushing her into the corners will really help her as it forces her to be more balanced and will naturally get her hind legs working. Work hard on your circles to get a good shape. A good way of doing this is to put something where the centre of your circle should be so you can watch it as you go round to keep your circle even.
Whatever you do, DON'T saw at her mouth to get her on the bit. She won't be working properly behind or over her back which won't do you or her any favours. Like I said, your instructor will sort you out. :)

Good luck with it. Dressage is hard work but it will do Ebs so much good and it's surprisingly addictive.
 
saddlecloth - any colour IS dressage legal - only most people wear white but you CAN wear whatever colour you want unaffilated or affilaited.
You cant have grackle noseband or a martingale, And bit must be dressage legal - if you arent sure let us know which one you use and we can tell you whether it is or not.
Boots/bandages when practising - depends on your horse whether she brushes or not.
If you do best use boots (bandages take practise and can cause damage if not put on right) - just use brushing boots.

Tips - read the test - ride the movements accuratly - know the arena - i.e. H, K, F,M are 5 metres from the end of arena. and B and E are obviously 20 metres from end. so a 20m circle on left rein at C should touch the side of arena 4 metres after H then touch X then touch side of arena 4 metres up from M and then touch C.
Lots of effective half halts to slow her down.
The main things judges look for at low level is Rhythm, Tempo, Suppleness and straightness - dont worry if she is on the bit - dont force her head. she should be forwards but not rushing.

Best tip - go watch some dressage at local centres - really watch how they ride the movements. learn how long it takes for you to ask for walk from trot so if you have to walk at A for instance and it takes her 3 strides to walk you know where to ask her.

And remember read the test - if one movement goes tits up then dont worry the next movement is marked separately and keep on riding.

Good luck!!!!!
 
yes once im back to riding ill get my lessons :p and he will probs be a big help
and shes in a fulmer loose ring snaffle? with a cassovon noseband, thinking about trying the flash depends how i feel when im back on :p
thanks alot guys :) x
 
fulmers fine - assume just a jointed mouthpiece - thats ok and cavesson or flash is fine -

dont worry about sheepskin, numnah etc - it all just fashion!! just give it a go and enjoy it !!!
 
Kezimac says :if one movement goes tits up then dont worry the next movement is marked separately and keep on riding.

This is absolutely right - I used to write for dressage judges at unaffiliated and they are always more impressed if you keep calm and just treat a mistake as just that, a mistake. Each movement has its own problems that can crop up, if you make a mistake and think you have ruined everything you couldn't be more wrong. I have seen riders who completely got a whole movement wrong and were marked down for it and then were perfect for the rest of the test and ended up with a good overall score. Just be calm and don't panic - all the judges I wrote for always put 'constructive' criticism if it was warranted - especially at unaffiliated - they want you to do well and are only trying to be helpful.

Also always keep a smile on your face, even if it goes wrong. Remember to salute at the end and smile at the judge.
 
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she must be in a snaffle and you can't use a grackle or martingale, breastplates are permitted as long as they have no martingale attachment. no boots of bandages allowed in the test, white saddleclothes look smartest and she should really be plaited. the judge will be looking for things like tempo (regular not speeding up and slowing down) correct bend, acceptance of the bridle (meaning they don't want to see something with its nose miles in the air plainly ignoring you) and accuracy.

good luck and remember dressage is only against yourself, and take the CC and use it to improve for next time. the most important thing is remember to breathe and enjoy it :D
 
Clannad48 said:
Kezimac says :if one movement goes tits up then dont worry the next movement is marked separately and keep on riding.

This is absolutely right - I used to write for dressage judges at unaffiliated and they are always more impressed if you keep calm and just treat a mistake as just that, a mistake. Each movement has its own problems that can crop up, if you make a mistake and think you have ruined everything you couldn't be more wrong. I have seen riders who completely got a whole movement wrong and were marked down for it and then were perfect for the rest of the test and ended up with a good overall score. Just be calm and don't panic - all the judges I wrote for always put 'constructive' criticism if it was warranted - especially at unaffiliated - they want you to do well and are only trying to be helpful.

Also always keep a smile on your face, even if it goes wrong. Remember to salute at the end and smile at the judge.
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ok so just carry on even tho its gone wrong? :)
thanks

and i guess its not dressage legal to wear a jw red jacket? :rolleyes: lol
 
LadyRascasse said:
she must be in a snaffle and you can't use a grackle or martingale, breastplates are permitted as long as they have no martingale attachment. no boots of bandages allowed in the test, white saddleclothes look smartest and she should really be plaited. the judge will be looking for things like tempo (regular not speeding up and slowing down) correct bend, acceptance of the bridle (meaning they don't want to see something with its nose miles in the air plainly ignoring you) and accuracy.

good luck and remember dressage is only against yourself, and take the CC and use it to improve for next time. the most important thing is remember to breathe and enjoy it :D
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so i could use my 5 point breast plate if i took the martingale part off? [dw im not going too] thanks alot :) x
 
Accuracy can gain marks at prelim. Also straightness down the centre line. Fix your eye on C and dont waiver. Impulsion is important. Your horse will gain marks if she tracks up well and maintains her balance. Make sure your circles are accurate in size.
 
BSJAShowjumper123 said:
so i could use my 5 point breast plate if i took the martingale part off? [dw im not going too] thanks alot :) x
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I always ride in a breast plate! I don't feel secure without one, you have something to grab at all times and your never in fear of the saddle slipping back. :p

I use a 5 point jumping and a hunting breastplate for dressage as they look a bit smarter
 
oooh ill probally past on that :p i dont think her saddle should need one
black country comforty but its hard after a long time siting in it :p are them fluffy seat savers things allowed? lol
thansk alot so look a C no were else got it :Dx
 
BSJAShowjumper123 said:
oooh ill probally past on that :p i dont think her saddle should need one
black country comforty but its hard after a long time siting in it :p are them fluffy seat savers things allowed? lol
thansk alot so look a C no were else got it :Dx
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I really dont think that you are for real, sorry.
 
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