Learning Dressage Tests

Kenzo

Kenzo

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Yes we have taken it upson ourselves to ensure our horses know the tests.....just in case we forget them half way through! *coughs*...well maybe just me then
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As you can see my friends horse is taking it all in, with interest, although he doesnt really need to, as she's one of those people that can glance at a test sheet once and know it like the back of her hand.
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Where as Pyrus on the other hand....well's he's a bit like me, can't really be bothered and not much between the ears
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So I have one firmly stuck in my head now, so this evening I shall mainly be.......trotting and cantering around my living room for the second night running with test sheet in one hand a glass of wine in the other.
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Question is, will I get them both mixed up by Friday morning
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I think so
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LOL! I'm sure you'll do fine - the bits you might be shaky on the horse is bound to remember!
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Seriously, I used to find that memorising "how" to ride rather than "where" made them stick in my head - for instance, instead of thinking "A enter at working trot, C track right" I used to ride the test in my head as in "A enter, hands wide down centre line, really forward going trot, half-halt at G and half 10m circle right onto the track".

Good luck with them both, however you learn them.
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P18, I'd rather just do P18 seen as I'm known for forgetting them! but we thought well seen as were going, might as well do the P12 as well but we won't have a caller...unless I can grab a spectator and force them at knife point to call for me :grin my dad's ok with the camera but calling won't really be his forte!
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Hi Kenzo - your message is brilliant!

Totally describes how I learn (or dont learn) my dressage tests.

I have found that trotting and cantering round the lounge is the most effective way to help me remember where I am meant to be going - but to be honest I really am crap...

I might have to show my horse the tests are per your pics - she is far more intelligent than me!

Good luck

Gem
 
I am a nightmare i read a test to see if i can do everything in it then i practice sections of it if there is anything a little different like loop backs in canter or counter canter then i just turn up and completely rely on my OH to call the test for me without a clue where i am going. It seams to work and stops me and the horse anticipating. Also my OH is very good at calling at the right time with enough notice for me to prepare and barring in mind Jameson is 18hh we get through a test a bit quicker that most people.

Good luck.
 
Thanks guys and yes I'll need that good luck because I'm rubbish at this dressage lark, I can ride till the cows come home down at the livery yard but as soon as I start riding a test, I seem forget to breath because I'm too conscious of messing up, then I ride like total moran, but still enjoy it though.

He's really hard work too to get going forwards correctly, so he's a tiring ride....I know that sounds really wet and pathetic but he does really take it out of you by the time you have warmed up and doing your test.

But he is going forward now, before he had this terrible stuffy trot and his paces were either walk or canter (but a nice slow canter...not carting of you or anything like that) but he found it easier to canter, he was actually bridle lame when I first started riding him (on and off but was ok after working in) but I've done lots of work with him and riding him out (just brisk walking) which seems to have rectified the problem as he not shown this for a while now, I think half of it was bordom, been used in draw reins (prior to coming over to the UK) and lazyness because he is a typical 'dumblood' but he seems to be coming out of his shell now and loving his hacking, its done him the world of good.
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Good luck I'm sure you will do just great!

I too am one for trotting and cantering round the living room - haven't tried with a glass of wine, but sounds like a great idea!
 
Lol love the pictures, i have cantered around my living room many a time in the past, but once i'm in there no amount of preparation can help me and that beep always goes which says 'you idiot, you trotted around your living room for a week and you still got it wrong!'

Good luck, i'm sure you will do great, make sure someone gets some piccies, been a while since i've seen any of you two. Or Mr Mac actually, how is he?
 
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