intro dressage...

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caroline23

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i am doing my first dressage test in two weeks time and doing intro B, my cob has only been schooling for 2 months and we are working on bend etc but we are pretty much compete novices still

i have just looked at intro B and there is a 20m circle in trot where i have to give up my reins? does this mean make them really loose? my cob isnt the sharpest to leg aids yet so i use reins to help on circles (open inside rein to guide him) so i am pretty worried about this part of it? any advice on what they are after?

also, turnout for myself and heavyweight cob would be appriciated! he is hogged but has big bushy tail and feathers which are growing back after being clipped by prev owner
 
The trot is just a stretch - you don't need to drop the reins or throw them away, just lengthen them and let him take them down and forward a bit. If you're really uncomfortable with it, or if he's really struggling, just keep the contact and don't bother with the stretch - you might lose a few marks for that one movement, but presumably the important thing is to get him out and get some experience under your belt, so one movement doesn't matter :)

For turnout, make sure he's clean and tidy. If he's hogged and you're going to keep him hogged, would you want to trim his feathers again and pull his tail? That would be the easiest way to tidy him up, but if you're growing everything out I wouldn't worry - at Intro level the whole point is encouraging both horse and rider, so as long as you have clearly made an effort - which shows respect to the judge and organisers - I wouldn't lose any sleep over hairy legs :) Good luck, Intro B is a lovely test for a first test!
 
i want to stay hogged but keep feathers as if his legs are clipped it just makes his belly look massive! also his tail is really thick so looks silly shaved at top so friend is going to pull it or plait it for me as i am rubbish at both!

he is very dark bay/black so only his white feathers to keep clean thank god
 
Good luck.

Interesting choice hogging but keeping feather; really think you should go one way or another.

Theocat had it right with advice for that movement.

On a cob for intro you can choose tweed jacket or blue/black, light jods, long boots and light coloured gloves.
 
I don't know intro B, how is the movement worded? If along the liners of 'allow horse to trot on long rein' then theocat is right, the judge will be looking for the horse to stretch contact forwards. Be careful not to let your horse pitch onto forehand and also be aware your reins shouldn't be baggy.

If however the movement asks for a give and retake of the rein then this is entirely different. You need to push your hands forwards towards the bit to create an obvious loop in the rein for 2-3 strides, the aim being to demonstrate self carriage
 
ihatework said:
I don't know intro B, how is the movement worded? If along the liners of 'allow horse to trot on long rein' then theocat is right, the judge will be looking for the horse to stretch contact forwards. Be careful not to let your horse pitch onto forehand and also be aware your reins shouldn't be baggy.

If however the movement asks for a give and retake of the rein then this is entirely different. You need to push your hands forwards towards the bit to create an obvious loop in the rein for 2-3 strides, the aim being to demonstrate self carriage
Click to expand...

It's definitely a stretch in that test rather than give and retake. :)
 
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