Nerves and remembering tests?

_jetset_

_jetset_

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2005
Messages
11,389
Location
Lancashire
Visit site
For some reason, every time I think about the Area Festival in two weeks my stomach flips and I start getting sweaty palms (having difficulty typing as my hands are sliding all over the keyboard
laugh.gif
laugh.gif
laugh.gif
). I think the thing that is worrying me the most is remembering the two tests. Since starting BD, I have been very naughty and relied on my hubby to be the reader when I had more than one to do... I don't know why I have got myself into this habit as when I used to compete Han unaffiliated, I would do a novice and two elementaries without anyone reading for me
blush.gif


I have a competition on Saturday at Croft Top, and I am doing P17 and N33... I am trying to sit and learn them every night, but I know when I get there I will go completely blank, panic and ask my hubby to read them for me. Now, I can do this on Saturday, but I cannot do it the week after at Richmond!!!

Any tips on keeping nerves at bay?

Does anyone have any advice on how to learn the test so you feel confident going in there knowing it?
 
what do is make draw test and then make a silly diity about how to ride. So whilst riding test i get - think straightness GRIN AT JUDGE!!!!! then think flexion to stop spooking!!!! then a ditty about patterns, but every time in front of judges GRIN!!!!
plus sloe gin does help
blush.gif
 
Sloe gin sounds a good idea
smile.gif


Thanks... do you draw the arena out? I usually have an arena on an A4 piece of paper and then 'trot' around with my pen. But then I get into the arena and just go completely BLANK!
 
Learn one first dont even look at the other until you have learnt it off by heart. I draw a picture of a school with letters on it and read throu drawing the movements and slow start drawing the movements and only having to look at the test when i get stuck.

I was told the way you mind can work is that at first you can only remember for 10 mins then 1hour then a day then a week,
So i always draw pictures at work from the time I get my times to when it is and make sure I do it at least twice a day once I know it,

Sorry if its a bit long hope it helps and good luck
 
I only need to ride through a test once and then i know it. I never learn a test by drawing it, i have to ride through it. Then i just remember it from where ive 'been' in the areana. After ive ridden through it i then 'think' about my test whilst im doing things such as walking to work or mucking out!
 
I usually learn my tests when I go to bed! I get an A4 pad and draw the arena letters and then draw the test whilst learning it at the same time. A pattern will then begin to form, which is a really good way of remembering it! Then once I think i've learnt it well enough, I turn the light out, settle down for sleep and carry on going through the test. It works for me
wink.gif
 
I would say write the test so that it is easier to read i.e I only write when you have to make a change of transition or rein etc.
 
Go through the test, in my head, every night before i go to sleep. Usually helps....if i dont fall asleep first. Bit like counting sheep
tongue.gif


Saying that judging by my recent performances...ignore my advice as i keep going wrong in my tests!
 
Thank yuou everyone... I can never sleep when I am trying to remember a test because I end up going over and over it in my head. How I got a 2.1 in my History degree is beyond me as most exams were 100% exam and I had to remember a hell of a lot more than a 5 mins test
laugh.gif
 
P_G, I can't ride through the test at home as only have a 40x20
frown.gif


I think this is why I feel more stressed because usually I am riding the whole test for the first time in the actual competition.
 
The way you remember tests depends on whether you have a visual, aural, or physical memory. I remember patterns of movement best, so what works for me is if I physically "ride" the test around the living room floor or the garden (hope the neighbours can't see me!!). I break the test down into chunks and memorise them, and then put each chunk together to build up to the whole test. I tend to remember things best as actual movements rather than as oral commands. It also helps to visualise myself riding each movement in turn. For example, I don't say to myself "enter in collected canter" (or whatever) - I visualise myself riding the collected canter and halting at X. Instead of saying to myself "15m circle at E", I think of where I am in the school and where this movement comes in the pattern, then it becomes obvious that I have to do the 15m circle next. If that makes sense....

Aural people probably would find recording themselves reading the test and then listening to it over and over might help. For people with a good visual memory, actually drawing the tests might help, or watching someone else ride them. You just have to find out how your mind works and what is the best strategy. for you.

As for nerves - can't really help. I don't suffer terribly from nerves, but I think that is from many years of competing and doing exams. I find taking 10 mins before getting on the horse to sit and listen to music helps me relax before getting on, but its not always possible.
 
Concentrate on one test at a time- learn them both in depth a few days before- 1 per day. The on the day read through your first test before you go in a few times and ignore the other one until after your first test.
 
I'll go dizzy
laugh.gif


I like the idea of riding it around the living room... I have a huge basement where I could put paper markers which could be a way forwards
laugh.gif
 
I find learning tests quite easy (touches wood frantically!). I used to draw each movement out (I think like dressage diagrams do) as I don't really work to the specific markers more like "at the marker just before the corner..." etc so reading it didn't really help. I often now close my eyes and visualise myself in an arena then I still know where to go even when I'm facing in another direction (if that makes sense) - I find this works particularly well if you know what arena you'll be in as I picture that arena and ride round it in my head! But maybe I'm just weird...
blush.gif
grin.gif
grin.gif

As for learning two: learn both before the day, on the day focus on the first until you've done that test then move onto the next.
 
I make up silly rhymes to help me remember where the transitions are. For P14, I learnt Kevin Frantically Hopes For A Magic Kissing Moment. It's so daft, I remember it. As well as reminding me where to make the transition it helps with remembering where you need to be going next.

Rescue Remedy is great for the nerves. Also I was taught a technique for calming nerves is to look at what you're worried about and then question, well what will happen, then what will happen, well what will then happen... and so forth until you become bored of the thought &/or realise that actually it wouldn't be the end of the world after all.
So for example, I worry about forgetting the test, so I have to think to myself, well if it happens, then the judge will stop me and if need be I can ask the judge to put me back on track. I may lose marks, which will be disappointing after all the effort that's go in to getting there, but both horse and I will be safe and well and my life won't ultimatley be affected by the error. Hope that made sense and best of luck. x
 
I have some rescue remedy actually from when I was doing my finals a few years ago... I was in a total state because three of the four modules were 100% exam so Mum bought me that to help.

Hubby has just been killing himself laughing at me running around in the basement... with no other than the cat sat at C being the judge in the washing basket
laugh.gif
laugh.gif
laugh.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top