RIDMagic
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking about doing some (very!) low level dressage in 2014 with my horse. Can anybody give me a basic idea of what's involved in the introductory tests? Does it include canter? Thanks!
Introductory dressage test
- Thread starter RIDMagic
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leflynn
Well-Known Member
No canter, just walk and trot - very nice way to start (I'm doing intros atm) 
There are usually vida on you tube too
There are usually vida on you tube tooHedwards
Well-Known Member
Intro classes (BD) are walk and trot only, changes of rein (including things like 1/2 circle from E to X and then another from X to B), 20m circles, free walk on long rein, allowing the horse to stretch in trot etc.
They're definitly the best kinds of classes to do if its your first time out... best of luck and let us know how you get on.
ETA - if you do a search on You Tube lots of people have posted their videos on there so you can see what needs to be done.
They're definitly the best kinds of classes to do if its your first time out... best of luck and let us know how you get on.
ETA - if you do a search on You Tube lots of people have posted their videos on there so you can see what needs to be done.
RIDMagic
Well-Known Member
Oh great thanks guys, don't know why I didn't think to look on YouTube! And I'm glad it doesn't include canter, as our canter transitions leave a bit to be desired!
Floxie
Well-Known Member
I'm always a bit surprised by those double half 10m circles showing up in intro. I know they're not the most advanced thing in the world but they always feel a bit out of place compared to the level everything else is set at!
I'm doing intro at the moment. I'd like to move on up and we're working on improving canter at home (still a bit unbalanced and rushy) but I'm a bit of a perfectionist and want to be getting properly good scores before I step it up
I like into tests - and they're nice and short and easy to remember!
As Hedwards says, there are lots of vids on YouTube - a lot of Dressage Anywhere entries are uploaded there so you can always find plenty.
I'm doing intro at the moment. I'd like to move on up and we're working on improving canter at home (still a bit unbalanced and rushy) but I'm a bit of a perfectionist and want to be getting properly good scores before I step it up
I like into tests - and they're nice and short and easy to remember!As Hedwards says, there are lots of vids on YouTube - a lot of Dressage Anywhere entries are uploaded there so you can always find plenty.
coloured_c0b
Well-Known Member
i'm actually in the same position we've been practicing the tests at home ready for next year, practicing transitions, circles etc. i've found Intro B easier than A, so when we go out i'm going to enter both tests and use A as a warm up for B. Also another struggling with canter, he has a lovely canter just can be a utter lazy ****** to get into the canter so at the moment i couldn't guarantee that we'd get any canter in a prelim test but were getting better, good luck
good luckRIDMagic
Well-Known Member
Well thank goodness they have these basic tests for us newbies! Glad I'm not the only one lol. Best of luck to you, please let me know how you get on!
Elbie
Well-Known Member
If you did want to step up to Prelim, the earlier numbers (like prelim 1, prelim 4) don't have too much canter in them! And some you ask for canter on a circle (eg between A and X or between X and A) so gives you a bit of breathing space if you can't get that immediate transition
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
If there is an Intro test followed by a Prelim, when I had a baby horse I entered the Prelim HC (non-competitively) with the permission of the show organiser, on the understanding that I would not be cantering, but would trot the canter part.
I have done a bit of Trailblazer judging for the centre, and if you are HC they are very welcoming and accommodating, I have "judged" once where a competitor was HC with a nappy horse, on the understanding that they had "bought" 6 minutes in the arena, and may not be doing a "test" at all!
It is nice to have 2 goes in the ring, my advice would be to talk to the organiser if you are unsure about anything, and you may be surprised how informative and accommodating they are.
I have done a bit of Trailblazer judging for the centre, and if you are HC they are very welcoming and accommodating, I have "judged" once where a competitor was HC with a nappy horse, on the understanding that they had "bought" 6 minutes in the arena, and may not be doing a "test" at all!
It is nice to have 2 goes in the ring, my advice would be to talk to the organiser if you are unsure about anything, and you may be surprised how informative and accommodating they are.