New To Dressage Please Help

[Jess2013]

I am thinking of doing some dressage in the next few months to vary my horses SJ etc career.
Is using a General Purpose saddle suitable for dressage?

Any tips for me, what the judge looks for? Anything will be greatly appreciated

 

[Honey08]

Yes, most people at local level will be in GPs, don't worry.

As for what they're looking for, it will depend on what test and what level, but generally being accurate, doing transitions at the required letter, properly shaped movements, circles that are round.. Regular paces, not hurrying but working, horse relaxed, rider position...

Have a few lessons with a local instructor and run through some tests, and perhaps go and watch a few dressage shows to get an idea?

 

[kc100]

A GP saddle is absolutely fine, judges dont care what saddle you are riding in as long as you have one on!

Generally what the judge is looking for varies by level, but presuming you are starting fairly low level (i.e. prelim) then it is quite basic - you just have to show you can walk, trot, canter, do some circles and some basic changes of rein/direction, and stretch in a free walk.

Free walk is a good one to remember - you get double marks for your free walk in most prelim tests (not all though), so if you show a good stretch and a nice marching, purposeful walk where the horse over-tracks, you should get good marks. Most people allow the horse to stretch but dawdle along having a nice rest - the judges want to see a march and purpose to the horses walk, they want to see over-tracking so dont just sit back and have a rest!

You can have a reader for your test providing it is not a BD championship/area festival, so if you need a reminder of where you are going its a huge help having a reader. But make sure you still learn the tests beforehand, you can go wrong even with a reader and it will be obvious to the judge if you dont know the test as your movements will be a bit late as you wont remember what is coming next.

Preparation for the next movement is key. And accuracy as well - make sure your circles are the correct size (so many people get marked down for circles too big or large). Prelim normally has transitions between markers so you dont have to worry so much about being bang on for a transition, but make sure your transitions are smooth and flowing, nothing abrupt.

Google 'scales of training dressage' - this is what all dressage, no matter what level, is marked against. They want to see rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, collection. All apply to prelim apart from collection, you are not expected to show any collection in the movements until you reach Elementary. They are all interlinked and in most cases you cannot have one without the other.

As a rule, with all levels of dressage, the lower the number on the test the 'easier' it is. For example, Prelim 7 will be easier than Prelim 18. Same for Novice 24, it will be easier than Novice 37. So for your first outing choose a test that has a lower number as it will have fewer complex movements than the higher numbered tests. Using the Prelim 7 and Prelim 18 as an example (I'm testing my memory here!) - Prelim 7 is very basic and you are just required to do some walk, trot, canter and some 20m circles. Prelim 18 you have to do a serpentine and a half circle as well as the walk, trot and canter.

Judges generally want to see a nice quiet rider, a horse with 3 correct paces, an obedient horse and accuracy from the rider at the lower levels of dressage - you dont need to be flashy, just accurate with a horse that is listening to you. Remember to smile and breathe, and you will be just fine!

Good luck!