Tips for remembering tests

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Jesstickle

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I have two to remember for Saturday (both easy prelims) and I just can't do it! My caller is AWOL so have no choice. Is there a sure fire way to get them lodged in my brain so I don't end up looking like more of a spanner than I need to? :o
 
This is my method - I have done up to 6 in a day using this, so it works for me!

First set up an Excel spreadsheet with the lines all spaced out for a school, so you have a skinny column for the left hand letters, a wide column for the 20m bit, a skinny column for the right hand letters, then a skinny column for the next left hand letters and so on... then the same for the top and bottom (A and C) plus a wide one for the 40m or 60m bit. Print a few copies and use one per test (or two for the higher level tests).

Next take a green pen for walk, a blue or black one for trot and a red one for canter. Now take your test and draw the movements on doing one movement per Excel box, so for example, trot up centre line and track right is in box 1, trot 20m circle left is in box two, and so on. Bits that join movements e.g. your trot circle finishes at E but you don't canter until C, I tack onto the previous movement as little bits of "joining" are hard to learn in isolation. I use a dotted line for collected and a long dashed line for extended. Lateral work I use dashes parallel to the sides, with a curl as needed to signify travers/ renvers etc. I write letters by the movement as I need, for example "F" for free movements, "S" for halt and salute, "GR" for give and retake.

I then put the test away and learn off the diagram (you'll find just drawing them has helped you learn anyway). Then you just need to keep reading it and visualise the movements. The colours really help with this. Bear in mind nearly all the lower tests are mirror images - you only have to learn half and then repeat!

Next I take a blank piece of paper and just draw a continuous "track" for the test OVER and OVER, so you end up with unintelligable squiggles, but you've tested your knowledge of the floorplan.

Next I visualise riding the test - in the competition arena if you've been before - or in your home arena if it's an uknown venue. I find this helps you plan the movement as you ride it on the day as you've already visualised it.

Finally, practise a couple of times on the horse (have the test in your pocket so you can stop and start if needed).

Don't forget you'll have a gap between your tests on the day, so you can refresh yourself on the second one at the show before you go in.
 
Draw the letters in chalk on the pavement outside your house and do the moves a la horse...yes a lot of people who live near me think I'm weird :p I also draw the test out over and over again so your remembering the movement pattern rather than the test IYSWIM?
If we're getting all science-y try and have it so you can run in from the cerebellum i.e. as a movement procedure rather than from your cortex as a conscious thought...always worked for me :p
 
I draw them over and over again, as does Al.

In the run up to events, there will be hundreds of sheets of paper carpeting her bedroom floor with 8 mini arenas drawn on and a lot of squiggles where she's drawn the test out. I also draw it on my leg (only with my finger) whenever I have a spare moment so the sequence is totally lodged in your head.
 
Where are you going?
I always find the only way I can remember a test is to make an arena with postit note letters and to run through my test several times :o. I'm rubbish at remembering a test though so there might be some more normal people who have better ways.
 
dh, we're just at the Jays. It's Saturday and they take late entries if they have space so you could probably squeeze in if you wanted. We might go to CWA next sat for jumping as well. I haven't quite decided on that one as we're obviously at Tetworth on the Sunday and I can't make up my mind if it's a good idea or not :p

V, you lost me with the science I'm afraid.

I've been drawing it over and over and I have the first one down (it's prelim one so hardly any movements) but now have to try and learn the next one without getting them muddled!

Polotash, I think my brain would die trying to actually learn a proper test with lateral stuff in :eek: 6 in a day is loads!
 
I think we need a bit more time to practice what we did in our lesson yesterday before we are ready to go out :cool:.
 
dafthoss said:
I think we need a bit more time to practice what we did in our lesson yesterday before we are ready to go out :cool:.
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I haven't practised anything. I'm not going to be competitive, just to get back into the swing of things. We definitely won't be winning anything!
 
How long do you have between tests? do you have time to learn the second one after you have done the first.

I always use the post-its on the carpet and trot around the lounge method myself!

Remember that most tests are symmetrical, so you do some movements, change the rein and do the mirror image.
 
vallin said:
Draw the letters in chalk on the pavement outside your house and do the moves a la horse...yes a lot of people who live near me think I'm weird :p I also draw the test out over and over again so your remembering the movement pattern rather than the test IYSWIM?
If we're getting all science-y try and have it so you can run in from the cerebellum i.e. as a movement procedure rather than from your cortex as a conscious thought...always worked for me :p
Click to expand...

I put the letters out in the living room/kitchen/garden and do the same :D If I'm feeling energetic I'll do it on foot in the arena and reward myself with a vino :D
 
Like lots of others I have to draw it out & do it on foot too. Also I find standing at x to go through it in my head helps.
 
jesstickle said:
I have two to remember for Saturday (both easy prelims) and I just can't do it! My caller is AWOL so have no choice. Is there a sure fire way to get them lodged in my brain so I don't end up looking like more of a spanner than I need to? :o
Click to expand...

I suggest a swinging canter up an all weather with white plastic railings either side of you?!! :p
 
I read it through a couple of times whilst visualising it in my head then draw it out once or twice then tend to just run through it in my head when I remember and if I get stuck I will read it then draw it again.

Last time out I only learnt my first test ten just sat down for 5 mins and went through my second test which I hadn't even looked at before and learnt it.

I don't like learning 2 tests at the same times so would rather sit down and quickly learn the second so I don't get confused :)
 
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