standard of prelim dressage tests? bit long but some advice please

J

Jericho

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I know most of you in here are much more advanced than this but I have just found out there are a couple of dressage (prelim / Intros) within hacking distance to me over the next few months which I would like to have a go at.

I did do some prelims many years ago when I was riding ponies then had a ten year break and back into horses again about 2 years ago. I am a happy hacker but enjoy schooling and improving. I keep my boy at home out 24/7 and only have field to ride in and have been doing some schooling about twice a week for last 3 weeks.

I havent had any lessons for about a year due to lack of instructors out this way, terrible weather, field not suitable for it etc etc (although I am pursuing this) so I cant really judge how bad or good we are.

Other than being a bit stiff and very unfit my 12yr old TBx gelding has been working really well - very responsive, fairly neat and non resistant transitions, soft and steady in head working in outline albeit fairly long and low (as I am working on engaging hind legs at the mo more than anything).

Would I look out of my depth doing a prelim 12 in 2 weeks time? I practised some of the movements today and it felt OK but not very accurate. His lines are a bit wobbly and circles a bit skew wiff but I think thats me and we did seem to improve. I just dont want to turn up and people to think 'ohmigod'!!

Oh and the other thing is that he plaits quite badly with his hind legs which makes him move a bit awkwardly. He is sound (checked by vet and physio) but can sometimes look awkward. Again I am a bit worried that the judge is going to pull me up and write 'your horse is a bag of old crocks' all over the test sheet.

I am not there to win anything but would be nice to doing something constructive and aim for...

What do you think??
 
Go for it!

I am a pretty rubbish rider (with a superstar horse, luckily!) and I have been competing at dressage ever since I got my horse. I even did one novice test - I was completely outclassed, but really enjoyed myself!

We are lucky that at our yard we host dressage once a month, everyone on the yard is encouraged to have a go, and we get all sorts competing.

I think that you should have a go if you want to! I have really enjoyed it, and found all the comments from the judge really helpful. Hope you enjoy yourself
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Isabelle
 
Go for it, even I have won a Prelim or two on Bodey and been placed on Badger the Fjord, so if I can do it anyone can!!! Go and have fun!!!
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Wow this sounds just like what i want to do with my boy in the summer, i have also had a break and need an instructor really to watch me from the ground as i cant trust my own judgement!
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Defo have a go, if anything its an experience for both of you...Good Luck!
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Have a go!

I took my boy for his first prelim as a cross between a banana and a giraffe, not understanding trot-canter transitions yet, and spending the whole test bent to the outside to stare at the boards (before attempting to leave the arena at E in the middle of the test). Everyone there understood it was his first time out, and was super-nice.
 
Think of it as a starting point for your competition year - you are only trying to improve on your scores so who cares what anyone else gets!! The good thing is that you get a test sheet highlighting areas to work on
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Definitely go for it! At prelim you get all sorts of people competing on all sorts of horses. You sound like your getting on fine, go and have fun!
 
Go for it - I think I look far more out of place going sideways in canter across the diagonal!!!

Definitely look at it as a starting point as it will give you a benchmark for how you are now and focus your mind onto what you need to improve on.
 
Go and do it..there'll be other people there who will be in the same boat as you! i took the plunge last year after a 10 yr break for both myself and horsey and really enjoyed it - was very motivating and constructive (not a single negative comment). we even competed on our riding club team at the area qualifiers!
Was gutted when my horsey injured herself and had to have 6 months off - can't wait to get going out again!
 
Go for it!!!!!!!!!!

we did our first ever test last weekend, we got 2nd with 65.6%

before that id had a 7 year break from horses and bought my current horse 1 yr ago, we were just happy hacker, i thought i couldnt ride so i was embarrased to ride in front of anyone
but i decided we needed to get out as we hadnt been anywhere away from the yard so i just wanted to get him out, i noticed there was a test in a week time, so i rode everynight pratcing the test and went
he was well behaved and did me proud

and we got loverly comments im glad we went now

ive got the bug now and im working towards my next test were ive decided to do 2 tests next time

bite the bullet and go for it, you wont regret it

good luck and let us know how u got on
 
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