Making the tranfer from show jumping to dressage..

[JustKickOn]

Pony is being retired from jumping at the end of this current season (mid October) but she enjoys getting out and about and the atmosphere of shows so I'd like to do some dressage with her.

She's well schooled, but I'm going to have to get her to listen to me more, soften her mouth and work on her going down on the bit. She can do extension/collection on demand etc so I'm hoping she'll do reasonably well!

The local RC do unaffiliated dressage, but some of the tests are their own made up ones, and others are prelim/novice ones that I'm guessing are nationwide?

So, does anyone have any advice for how's best to ease a jumping pony into becoming a dressage pony? (she's 20 and been a show jumper since she was broken and trained)
And any tips on what makes a winning team?

Lizzie

Also in Comp. Riders.

 

[ForeverBroke_]

I think the biggest thing with quite a few SJers is bending.

I could be totally wrong/ shot down but the amount of Show Jumpers I see going around on the flat / in the ring with their heads facing the outside of the school etc.

Obviously this could be different with your horse . Exercises such as circles, serpentines, half 10 m circles and even asking for a different flexions on the long sides of the school could be a good way to supple her up etc if this is the case

You could always pop out to do a walk and trot to see the overall comments on your horses flatwork and then move up a level . Have fun!

 

[Lobelia_Overhill]

Darcy, you summed Don up! he's been a jumper since he was backed, and I'm having a terrible time getting him to do halfway decent flat work, he can walk trot and canter and do circles on both reins but anything else is a disaster! He's convinced there's one way to do something and that's it, and my efforts to persuade him otherwise are falling on deaf ears. He thinks a half halt means slam the breaks on!

Good luck Lizzie!! (Don's only 6!!)

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

We have two showjumpers & throughout their training we have done a lot of flatwork training. We occasionally take them to a dressage show & enter either Prelims or Novice Tests. It's always been a good way of monitoring their flatwork. They also score 70%+ so we are pleased with them.

The main thing I think is to get your pony to soften through the back, work into the bridle & relax. Tension can be a problem. Also accuracy in your riding is necessary, when it says do something at A then be accurate & do it at A, not before & not after.

You will find that the pace of life is somewhat slower at a dressage show, you are given your time days earlier so the endless waiting around that you have a BSJA Shows won't be there.............it's really a nice change & you can chill.

Good Luck

 

[JustKickOn]

Ahh brilliant, thank you

She doesn't have a problem flexing through her neck, and doesn't go round with her head to one side, just a tad high but that's expected when she's jumping.

it's good to know that they give you a specific time, I hate getting to shows early to discover a 3 hour wait for my class..

Thanks