Remembering dressage tests

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Seahorse

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I don't know what's wrong with me, but just recently I have forgotten one of my tests every time out and it's becoming a bit of a problem, because now I'm so worried about forgetting I don't ride properly.

I normally have a really good way of remembering tests, but I think lately I have become a bit complacent and haven't learnt them well enough or ridden through them enough.

Anyway it's becoming a bit of an issue now, and I almost have a bit of a mental block about it. My friend came with me the other day and read 1 test out but wanted to video the other one which I though I knew but halfway through I just went blank.
Any tips on how to get over this? How do you remember yours?
 
I practise mine in the living room at home! Get some paper and cut out some letters then walk trot and canter round the room!!
I also practise them at least once on the horse in a manege. That said, I did forget where I was in a dressage test last month so it doesn't always work.
 
I normally write an arena on a piece of paper and then go round with a pen until I can run through the test without looking at it, I then ride through it on Axel a few times.
tbh I think I'm probably not learning them as well as I used to just looking at them a few days before whereas I used to be learning them a fortnight before!
 
I learn the pattern rather than the words, I don't have a clue about most of the phrasing, just key points, like how long a halt is or how many steps a rein back.
 
I 'ride' a mini version on foot ( only about a ten foot long arena!) and remember how the test flows rather than the letters. I 'think' the pace for each movement in rhythm, ie; I say trot trot trot trot trot trot to myself for the duration of the movement, and do the same with walk and canter.
It means you learn it as centre line, turn left, trot .....circle left middle marker etc, and I do look a bit of a loob, like a sad person who wishes they had a horse, but it works!!
 
Will have to try some of these
smile.gif
I am doing my first ever test in a few weeks with Axel my 4y/o, and don't like the idea of having to trust someone to call my test, at least then if i stuff up i only have myself to blame.
 
I can remember the start and end, but not the middle. I went wrong on two occasions. Have done the same test twice recently and was ok, I actually won one.
 
I run through it mentally as I go to sleep. Sometimes it helps to imagine it as if you are watching yourself ride the test on a film. Trouble is, if I'm really tired (usually!!!) I only get halfway through the test before I fall asleep - so the next night I make myself remember it from halfway through.
 
write down arena, and do with a pencil many times and (confession time) also mark out the places I need to use to change gait etc, with either peoples names or swear words!! or other memorable phrases!

Ie working trot at CHARLIE, working canter at ANNABELL, helps if you use family names and recite it!! works for me but wont be for everyone!!
 
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