Novice level dressage

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rachk89

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Hey I am wanting to build up my horses work over winter and next year start taking him out to other yards for competitions. I don't really want to go anywhere though unless we are doing novice level as it's a lot of money to spend on fuel for lower levels when we can do them at his current yard.

However I am a little unfamiliar on what you need to be able to do for novice level so can someone maybe provide me with a list of things to work on? I know that there is a requirement to show a few strides of medium trot, is that also for canter? I am pretty sure 10m circles in trot are needed too is that right?

Thanks :-)
 
Yes depending on individual tests. med trot, med canter 10m circles, changes through trot, counter canter, half 10m circles in canter returning to track. The movements come up a lot quicker too

also judges expect to see more from behind, better rhythms and neater transitions
 
Cheers soulfull. I think he should be alright on the working from behind, rhythm and transitions should be fine. I have been working him on those a lot since I got him. The half 10m circles in canter will be tricky as he is struggling with 20m ones but like I said this isn't until next year anyway. I will choose a fairly easy novice test for him to do too on the first time out don't want to over challenge the poor guy haha.
 
The main thing is to still focus on the basics and accuracy, as you will still lose and gain more marks there than by a '6' for little change shown. I can't remember the test numbers but there is one at least where the difference in movements is hardly noticeable, I think there is just one medium trot. It's just smaller circles.
oh there are some 15m circles in canter to watch out for too
 
If I remember correctly Novice starts at 22 and goes up to 39 - so the lower the number the easier the test. 39 is like the preparatory test for Elementary (you have to halt at the start of that one and there is a walk to canter) so avoid that like the plague if your horse is still establishing the basics!

The main differences to prelim is that you will be asked to perform movements/transitions at specific markers (most of the time), rather than between markers; so you have to be more accurate. There is also medium trot and medium canter, you have to 'show some medium strides' but for example with the medium trot across the diagonal they do expect to see most of the diagonal in medium rather than just 2-3 strides. Counter canter features a lot in Novice tests so that needs to be established, especially the transition out of it - so many horses fall out of it! Circles vary depending on the test but will include 20m in canter, and potentially 15m and 10m in trot. Transitions come up a lot faster as well, so you wont have as long between transitions to be prepare.
 
The lower, short arena novices aren't really any harder than prelim. The long arena tests do feel like a step up.

Watch some videos on youtube! (but be aware that usually people only post if they get an amazing score or win, so don't be put off if they look more established than you ;)) The hardest things are;

- Rein back
- Give and retake reins (in trot or canter)
- Walk to canter
- Simple change
- Counter canter
- 10m circles

We went straight out at novice BD, we didn't expect to do well (horse isn't easy) but we've placed nearly every time out. We still have gaps, definitely not 100% consistent at this level, but I'm with you, it feels like a lot of effort to go to just for a prelim test! :p
 
I know some horses actually suit the novice tests as there is 'more happening' 'more quickly', certainly I am looking (if I actually ever manage to get competing next year!) at doing prelim then trying to move onto the novices if I can get him consistent enough.

He is a small, compact, cheeky chap and the prelims sometime give him far too much time to get a bit dare I say 'bored', it's as if he has more time to think about doing things his own way. The floor plans in the novices seem to help show him off better ( .....still need a LOT of work though!!!) .
 
Exactly pigeon it is a lot of effort and change on his behalf for just prelim. Don't care if he doesn't score high on the test the main thing I want from him on his first few trips out are to behave.

I think counter canter will be tricky he does flying changes if he gets on the wrong leg. He doesn't understand rein back, simple change will be fine, walk to canter should be fine, and give and retake the reins should be fine he doesn't change rhythm really unless asked that would require him using energy. :P

He would definitely be doing the easy novices though no way is he going near the hard ones til like maybe this time next year ha.
 
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