My first elementary...

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AG18

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Need some confidence boosting and tips!! I am doing my first elementary test on Sunday and am really nervous. I know that my horse is capable but I think everyone is going to look at us and think we shouldn't be doing it. Am I mad? To me it seems like elementary is way above novice, and people who do it are like in a different league. Are there any different things that the judges will look for? My horse will be wearing a double, and I will have spurs. Help!!
 
do you always ride your horse in a double? and do you always wear spurs? if you horse dosent need them dont use them. I do elementary in a snaffle very sucessfully on my mare, and am about to do my first medium which i will also ride in a snaffle. If your horse goes well in a snaffle then ride it in a snaffle and not a double. Elementary is not much different to novice apart from showing some degree of collection in trot and canter and showing extended walk. what test are you doing?
 
Which test are you riding?

First thoughts are ..........

Do you really need the double?

I only ask because so often riders will use it to give themselves extra 'brakes' and to create a 'better' outline but they end up with their horse behind the leg and behind the vertical.

Be careful if 'collected' paces are asked for that you still ride them forwards. Too often I see elementary tests ridden with the 'handbrake' on.

The judge will be looking for a greater degree of self carriage and balance than at novice. The test will expect greater suppleness and the mediums to be ridden marker to marker with clear transitions at either end.

Obviously some tests are more demanding than others, so providing you have picked one of the lower end elementaries, you should be fine.

Remember to breathe, smile and imagine the judge sitting on the toilet!!!!!!!!!
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Where I am going is such a secret! But if I tell you my test then maybe some people will be able to guess. It is 44. Full of collected trot, and at the end is a simple change which my horse does relaly nicely (I think!).

She doesn't go nicely in a snaffle, although she is ridden in it usually. I school her in the double every so often when I am doing harder work. She is always ridden in spurs (inc jumping). It's not for brakes, not at all! It's just to encourage her to be rounder (very difficult). She goes like a better horse in it, so I figure why not use it. I also ride her better in it, it helps to keep my hands up.

Medium trot is a real problem for me at the moment! I always think I do it really well, and then get the comment "not enough difference shown" and then a 5. It's so frustrating! I have worked on that this week though.

Thanks for all your comments so far, keep them coming!
 
i did 44 at an unfil show - just as a training thing. To be honest i reakky liked it and i am not dressagey yet! But seriously it was my first ever elem and had the horse for about a month i think and i coped PLUS i had to learn the test in 10 mins as i got given the wrong one! I think if you show a good difference between the collected and medium you should be ok. PG tog and Bannaman will give good advice they are dressage divas for sure!
 
haha , you know you are, dont deny it!!! This time next year you will be half passing and all other fancy stuff with big Archie! !!!

See you at the nationals! LOL
 
44 is not a bad test at all.

Tips would be to make sure that you show good bend without losing control of the outside shoulder in the trot circles and half circles.
The canter ones are often badly shaped/placed........make sure they ARE 15m!

One medium trot is up the long side, so a little easier to ride but harder to judge!

The canter loops........don't change the bend whilst you ride the shape. Think about turning the shoulders rather than the head. Also make sure you don't return in a sort of leg yield, falling through the outside shoulder.

Practise the last section from the walk to canter, E turn left and K trot as that all comes up quite quickly.
Make sure that you DO go to E as often the horses try to cut the corner, fall onto their inside shoulder and then make an unbalanced trans at K.

Oooh and don't forget to halt on the way in!!!!!
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Good Luck and enjoy!



Dressage diva..........moi? PMSL!
 
Dont ask me....I'm just about to be thrown in at the deep end with my new horse who I have to compete at that level! There was no point in downgrading him!!! So looks like there will be a few newbies at Elementary level this year!
 
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