Intro tests - A, B or C??

[{123756}]

Im hoping to take my mare for her first dressage tests this year. Shes likely competed before but its a first for us and she can be a little bit nervy which makes me nervous.
I've just ordered all the tests to see what one I like the look of the best but just wondering general opinions, especially with the new Intro C test. My horse is very rhythmical but struggles to bend and keep shape around circles which is improving drastically(Ten meter circles aren't something im worried about so not looking to avoid them in tests).
My mare also gets very easily distracted so a test that will keep her somewhat occupied for her test will help!

Just looking for everyone's opinions on each intro test and what ones you prefer?

 

[FfionWinnie]

I rather like intro C and found it reasonable to remember (although I did do an extra 20m circle under test conditions as I couldn't remember if I had done it or not ).

 

[{123756}]

Ive heard different things about intro C so im looking forward to seeing the test sheets!

 

[FfionWinnie]

As a non dressage diva I found it simple. I did it on two horses on the same day and managed to get it right the second time. Only the 3rd attempt I've made at dressage, have done a and b and that's it.

 

[{123756}]

In your opinion which is the best intro test?

 

[FfionWinnie]

Well that's what I was getting at I liked C personally. Might change my mind if I did more of them!

 

[DirectorFury]

I did not like C! The fact that my horse decided we were actually hunting didn't really help matters . It feels like quite a busy test to me and you'd probably be better off just doing a Prelim.

Intro B is nice for a first time test but not so good if your horse is the type to get bored and have their attention wander - mine ad-libbed medium trots across all diagonals because she didn't think there was enough going on.

 

[Theocat]

I like C, but that may be because I'm bored of A and B.

 

[Kallibear]

I really like C. Even, flowing test with plenty to occupy them but doesn't feel rushed. Prob not a great test if your horse doesn't circle well tho!

 

[kc100]

Intro A generally the easiest and probably best if you are nervous - not too much to remember.

HOWEVER big caveat here - NONE of the Intro tests have much to 'occupy' a horse, they are basic walk trot tests that have minimal movements in them, all you have is the odd transition between walk and trot, and the odd circle here and there, with a free walk at some point. So if your horse gets bored easily, then any of the 3 Intro tests won't keep her busy I'm afraid.

I used to ride a big 17.3 former hunter, who thought any trip out he was going hunting - and he got distracted so easily! He didnt focus on me until I decided to do a novice test one day, he was awful in the prelim but because the novice had far more movements it kept his brain thinking about the test, and meant we scored much better. So I appreciate you are nervous and want to start at the bottom with dressage, that's great - but dont expect an Intro test to keep your horse occupied as they are meant to be very basic starter tests, with minimal movements to make it nice and simple, for people not confident in canter or not confident about dressage in general.

And finally as for 10m circles - they dont come in until some of the harder novice tests (it might even be Elementary if I remember correctly - I think novice is 15m circles) so dont worry about that. In Intro B there are the half circles which requires much more suppleness, so if your horse struggles with bend then avoid B I think.

I always found with dressage doing 2 tests is better, especially with a horse that struggles with focus - that way the first test it gets any nervousness out of the way for both of you, allows the horse to see the arena and figure out whats going on, then the second test is more settled. I always had my best scores in my 2nd test - so that may be something to consider, most competition venues will normally run 2 Intro tests on the same day.

Good luck with whatever you go for!

 

[dornrose]

And finally as for 10m circles - they dont come in until some of the harder novice tests (it might even be Elementary if I remember correctly - I think novice is 15m circles) so dont worry about that. In Intro B there are the half circles which requires much more suppleness, so if your horse struggles with bend then avoid B I think.

Intro C has 2 10 metre circles from B to E with a give and retake of the inside rein on the 2nd half of each circle, so not necessarily easy for all or boring come to that.

 

[{123756}]

Unfortunately my mare is a typical cobby old cart horse - has a beautiful established trot but the canter is horrendous. Id like to do one and my choices are actually between B and C for the next unaff show that's on but if I don't feel we're ready ill wait. She has suppleness, she just falls in and out of circles a little bit where she struggles on one rein - she better on smaller circles then bigger ones believe it or not
Like I've said I have all the tests on order so as soon as i have them ill show my instructor and let her choose which will be best for us so we can practice.