Teaching a Walk and Trot test... what does beginner rider need to know?

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Tickles

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As (beginner) OH was rather jealous of share horse and I doing a tiny SJ the other day so I thought we should enter him in a Walk and Trot test to give him a chance to even up the rosette score...

I'll be making sure he has a little lesson or two before any comp but thought we should be able to cover some of the basics ourselves...

- school movements (circles, half-circles, shallow loops, serpentines, changing rein across diagonals, any others?)
- nice (square?!?) halts
- transitions between paces
- correct trot diagonals
- medium walk
- working trot
- free walk

I've never done a dressage comp so any other tips to prepare him much appreciated!

Celebratory Pimms (or fruit punch for younger HHOers) for clues. :-)
 
I would say that as he's probably going to be nervous, he should firstly learn where the letters are in the arena, even though they're on the ground, it'll save him searching and stop him panicing as much, and secondly learn the test inside out!! You can read the test out loud for him, but if he knows it himself, he'll feel much better!!

Here is a little rhyme I learnt to help me remember where the letters go

Starting at A and working ANTI clockwise...

A
F at
B ay
M are
C an
H ardly
E ver
K ick

Hope that helps!! ... Oh and remember to smile :D and breath!! :p
 
Stick like glue to the corners, make the 20m's perfect size and shape and keep a decent rhythm, get all the movements in the right place and you should have yourself a decent mark. Its not rocket science but for the first test it might be easier (even if you know the test) to have it called. You never know what last minute nerves might do to you. Forget about outline and concentrate on implusion/tracking up and balance. And remember the double marks for the free walk :) good place to tot up some extras!
 
I have done a couple of walk-trot tests. Your list really covers what he will need to know (the test I did only ever contained circles and changes of rein on the long diagonal. No half circles, serpentines etc. But that is not to say that no w-t tests contain them.)

I was told one isn't marked down for wrong diagonals, but I was surprised by that and it may well be wrong!

I did my best to learn the tests but was mighty glad of a caller on the day.

I really enjoyed dressing correctly for the test. I think turn-out for you and your horse is important even at this lowly level. As soon as I put on my cream breeches and posh jacket, I felt the part!

I don't know how nervous your OH gets but the main thing I would say is to learn to relax. My first test was really spoiled by my state of total nervous panic! I don't know why I got in such a state but I did. (It was only at my RS and I was riding a complete school master, who loved nothing better than a dressage test!)

The second one I did, I really relaxed and actually enjoyed it (and came 2nd!) I was on a different horse, but even so, I know he went so much better for me being relaxed.

Good luck to your OH!
 
As per Winklepoker!

Make sure you are accurate, so on the correct markers and correct movements etc. And I would also make sure your OH can do good transitions up and down. Don't recall ever having a direct transition in a WT test, just a walk-trot, walk-halt etc.

Also, make sure OH knows where the markers are!

I have had a WT test where I've had to do a half 10m circle, going from E to come down the centre line but I don't think I've had a test with moves like serpentines, just 10/20m circles and changing the rein (did have one change E to B so make sure your OH can gt accurate turns!)
 
Make sure your circles really are round.
Practice accurate transitions at the markers.
Practice a nice straight centre line.
Get nice crisp transitions (so not a gradual wind-up into trot)
I think the trickiest movement I've seen is a 1/2 10m circle right B to X, then 1/2 10m circle left X to E in walk (so basically an S shape). Never seen any serpentines in W&T - in fact only know of one prelim with sepentines.

Make sure you know the test - I've been caught out twice (on the same prelim test - the shame!) on a change of rein. I assumed it was K to M but it was actually K to B (short diagonal)

Smile, have fun and make it look easy!
 
little_critter said:
Make sure your circles really are round.
Practice accurate transitions at the markers.
Practice a nice straight centre line.
Get nice crisp transitions (so not a gradual wind-up into trot)
I think the trickiest movement I've seen is a 1/2 10m circle right B to X, then 1/2 10m circle left X to E in walk (so basically an S shape). Never seen any serpentines in W&T - in fact only know of one prelim with sepentines.

Make sure you know the test - I've been caught out twice (on the same prelim test - the shame!) on a change of rein. I assumed it was K to M but it was actually K to B (short diagonal)

Smile, have fun and make it look easy!
Click to expand...

Lol, I've had that W&T test with the B to X and X to E. AND I'm fairly sure I've had that prelim test too! I had a reader for that one and got her to shout "BEEEE" when she read that part :)
 
My very novice OH has done some intros on my horse too!

My OH is still a very wobbly rider, but he can still get very decent marks because he's learned the test and is able to ride it accurately. He'll often get higher marks than much more experienced riders who are sloppy with their Arena Craft, which is the easiest thing to correct!

Your Arena Craft is important to get the high marks, meaning; good shapes, straight lines, correct sized circles, using corners, turning at the marker (not before, not after), nice transistions, etc.

Also remember you can't wear a martingale or boots and make sure your bit is dressage legal (snaffles are fine). :) Good Luck
 
Accuracy is the key!
Try not to overcomplicate things if your OH is novicey as he is bound to be nervous!
Do your transition where you are supposed to, with a correct sized circles and going into your corners. Practice beforehand.
Remember never to Salute with a whip in your hand!!!
Good luck :)
 
Remind him that each movement is marked individually, so if you mess one up, don't panic it isn't all over, concentrate on getting things back on track for the next one.
 
Hi,

I did my first dressage test last weekend and was so nervous trying to keep my mare calm that I didn't do the free walk, I suggest you practice this as there are 20 marks available for it and i got 5 as I hadn't worked on it! duh!
 
How to ride straight up the centre line - always impresses the judge. Have him look to line up the judge with the letter C so that he keeps his line straight.

Ride the turn at C with the correct bend.

Ride into corners.

Make sure transitions are at the markers

Circles are the correct size and shape and start and finish where they should

Try to get the halt square and on the mark, not always easy when you are novice.

The way I remember the letters is

A Fat Black Mother Cat Had Eight Kittens
 
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