Talk to me - Dressage!

Shantara

Shantara

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I won't kid myself and enter a dressage contest where I have to go any faster than a trot... Ned's canter will never win anything lol!

I want to enter a few very low level classes, as I have decided 2014 will be the year of "doing stuff" and dressage is on my list. Is there anything I have to know? I don't expect to win, or even place! But are there any big no-nos or things that you have to do?
 
If its just a 'walk trot test'... No martingales, no gags, no cowboy spurs, no bright coloured saddle pads, no leaving the arena.... Other than that just have fun! Did my first dressage comp. at 40 plus and loved every minute of it... Go for it xx
 
Following with interest as my goal with Elvis is to start doing some walk trot tests. Anyone have any advice for keeping control of nerves and how to deal with a fresh alert horse who isn't used to competing?
 
PerfectPony said:
If its just a 'walk trot test'... No martingales, no gags, no cowboy spurs, no bright coloured saddle pads, no leaving the arena.... Other than that just have fun! Did my first dressage comp. at 40 plus and loved every minute of it... Go for it xx
Click to expand...

Thanks :D that's helpful! I discovered I'm within riding distance of a big equestrian centre which do shows and events all year round, so I'm super excited!! If all goes well, it'll be his first time in an indoor school on sunday! Luckily it's an in-hand show, so I'll be able to stand with him if he gets frightened.

Thanks again :)
 
Chan said:
I won't kid myself and enter a dressage contest where I have to go any faster than a trot... Ned's canter will never win anything lol!

I want to enter a few very low level classes, as I have decided 2014 will be the year of "doing stuff" and dressage is on my list. Is there anything I have to know? I don't expect to win, or even place! But are there any big no-nos or things that you have to do?
Click to expand...

Smile, relax and enjoy it. Make sure your transitions are prompt and accurate on the markers. Aim for being forward and straight where you need to be, and soft and flowing through your turns.
Plain tack, plain saddle cloth, pale gloves and smartly presented. BD rule book has a list of everything you should have, and what you should not have.


Elvis said:
Following with interest as my goal with Elvis is to start doing some walk trot tests. Anyone have any advice for keeping control of nerves and how to deal with a fresh alert horse who isn't used to competing?
Click to expand...

RE- nerves... Just breathe, long breaths in and long slow breaths out. If you really struggle with nerves, I find rescue remedy works wonders. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready at the yard, loaded and enough time to get ready at the venue. Allow yourself a general amount of time to warm up so you can both have a look around and suss things out, without rushing anything.

Good luck both of you, and enjoy it!
 
With intro test I would say being precise, using you corners and riding on the markers is what wins tests, not outline or anything like that. You shan't to be able to maintain a rhythm and be precise more then anything else!
 
Stolen from my trainer . . .

. . . red lippy (even if it's not your colour) and SMILE.

Also, be as accurate as you can . . . accuracy, particularly in Intro tests, counts for a lot. Be smart - try and match your jacket, hat/hat silk and numnah . . . you do need to wear gloves but at unaffiliated level you an get away with black rather than white.

Most of all, breathe . . . a lot . . . and enjoy :).

P
 
Thanks everyone :D that's really made me more confident!

I've downloaded the test (only a couple of quid, might as well!) it doesn't look hard at all :D I think even me and Ned could do this one!
 
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