prelim test and transitions

[Gorgeous George]

I'm doing my first prelim test on Sunday

at the end we have to trot up the centre line and halt at x, am I allowed to do a progressive transition, i.e. a few steps of walk before I halt at x (and if so how many steps are allowed?). If not we sort of slide to a halt like a cowboy outside the ranch!

Also does anyone have any tips on how to get more activity in the freewalk, George puts his head down and stretches lovely but the walk looses all its energy.

Thanks

 

[dianchi]

Can do, i wouldnt do more than 3 strides really.

 

[Natch]

I'd say definately do a progressive transition. "A few steps" of walk - I usually do about 3 I think. Much better to show a nice forward trot/walk/halt than to slouch lacking energy from either walk or trot.

All I can think about FW is to keep your leg on, don't "stop riding it" like its the end of a schooling session. Think of it as nothing different than a forward going active walk on the bridle, just allow your reins to slip through your fingers and if he has worked in enough he should gratefully take the reins and stretch.

Oh, and stop worrying, its supposed to be fun!

 

[Gorgeous George]

Don't worry I do enjoy myself

I just fret before hand, and i don't like to let George down. We can't get to many shows so I like to make the best of them I can

Mind you a year ago I wouldn't of dared dream of having my own horse let alone going to a show

 

[Moggy]

Yes you can.
In free walk as his belly swings left but your right leg on and as it swings right left leg on. You need to feel like you are pushing the belly further over. By encouraging the swing it helps to create more energy without them rushing.

 

[Kat]

Ideally it should be a direct transition but a couple of strides of walk won't be the end of the world. It is worth practicing trot to halt and halt to trot transitions in your schooling as they are great for getting the horse to use his quarters and track up and therefore help with self carriage and a nice outline. You need to half halt a few strides before you intend to halt and then make sure you ask for the halt with your body not just your hands and keep your leg on throughout.

In terms of the freewalk, again practice makes perfect, start now and tehre is time to make some improvements! Never let your horse slop around on a long rein, if you let the rein out he has to keep moving forward and stretch down into the contact. Let the rein out gradually keeping your leg on, if he drops behind your leg flick him with the dressage whip. Be disciplined and eventually he will expect the flick and stop dropping behind the leg so you won't have to give him a flick in your test. A lot of horses just die during freewalk because they are used to it being tea break time as soon as the reins are dropped.

Good Luck!! You'll be hooked soon, I love dressage now, but never thought I would until I tried it in a combined training comp!! Just wish I had a horse to do it on instead of having to borrow a riding school donkey..... Although that's why i know about the collapsing in free walk thing!!!

Katt

 

[Natch]

Sounds like you'll have a brilliant time. Good luck!

 

[Twiglet]

You will be fine missus!

Re: the trot to halt, whilst it would preferable to do it directly, I think better to add a couple of steps of walk and ensure the halt is good rather than coming straight from trot and him going hollow or not square/trailing a leg etc.

Twiglet is a demon on the center line, he normally storms down it in medium trot and then screeches to a halt whilst gurning at the judges. Still, it's an improvement on the center lines that we've cantered in the past I suppose.....


Do you have your time yet? I've got to pop to Ingatestone on Sunday, so if you have your time I might pop along to watch