Tips on remembering tests please...

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marinitagsd

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www.marinita-sportshorses.com
I only started doing Dressage in Summer of this year, something that didn't really interest me before but due to my illness have had to back off the jumping. Done five Intro's gaining a 5th, 4th, 3rd and a 1st place so now stepping it up and going for the Prelim but.........its sooo complicated compared to the Intro, how on earth am I going to remember it? lol Any help, advice would really be appreciated. Thanks
x
 
Have a caller!

I'm new to it as well, but find it's easiest to learn the movments a bit at a time. Practice the first 5 movements till you know off by heart, then the next 5 etc etc. Oh and get a helper! Good luck!
 
I am hopeless at test learning too! I find the best way for me is:

Break it down into logical sections
Learn the LAST section
Learn the one before that, then put the two together
Learn the next section before, then put them all together,
Etc, until you've learnt the first section.

Sounds barking mad to learn the sections starting at the end but hear me out...! This way, the bit you have read/drawn/practised most, and are therefore most sure of and most confident about, is at the end. The bit you have learnt last, read least and are so naturally least sure of comes right at the start of your test.

In essence, you get the 'least sure' bit out of the way right at the beginning, and are growing in confidence of your memory as you ride through your test at the competition, rather than riding through a 6 min test or whatever getting towards the bit you know least.

Really hard to explain, I hope that makes some kind of sense, but if not let me know and I will try to find an example for a real test. Basically all about confidence and knowing you know it, and this 'get the worst bit over and done with first' tactic really helps me.

Lighthearted disclaimer: Was actually taught this technique for learning by a music teacher as a kid, so it may only be me that applies it to dressage tests!
 
marinitagsd said:
Thanks Poacher, will give that a go. Just one more thing, I've just worn a shirt n tie up to now, is a stock and gloves defo needed for prelim and up?
Thanks again x
Click to expand...

Nope, I am a shirt-and-tie girl regardless because my stock tying skills are horrifying!

And I learnt the test by drawing it out, and taking each chunk at a time like Poacher said. Also, I learn it by chanting it in a rhythm, so it's very much in my head. If you can, practise it by running round your living room or something...

If you want to have a run-through on your horse, go for it unless they're really bad for the anticipating. Al sometimes struggles with her tests and if she's gone through it on Reg she does seem to find it so much easier, and he's not bright enough to remember from a run through or too!
 
Get the post its out and make some arena letters then run round it. You loook stupid and feel it to but its the only way I can remember a test :rolleyes: :o. Also most tests are fairly symetrical so you tend to do similar things on both reins.
 
I have a little drawn out school on a bit of paper and then I trace the test with my finger. I'm not much help because even though i learn my test I panic so need a caller so i can concentrate on remembering how to ride!

My last test I did, i read through the test every night for at least 3 weeks. Try going through it each night and practice riding it through a couple of times (the whole way through). Also, just try to think the tests are a bit symmetrical so if you circle on one rein you will on the other.

Good luck!
 
go through it in your living room, walking round the movements- i know i look daft trotting and cantering around but by actually going through it you learn it in a more natural way to convert it to riding than on paper, this means it only takes me maybe 3 runs through at most to learn a test
 
Done the living room thing....hubby keeps threatening to video me!! lol Really enjoying doing this at the moment, even though its really hard without a menage and just a field to work in, even harder now its wet! More of a challenge eh?
Here's a couple of pics of my first test on my full TB mare and one of my last in Sept (sorry about quality but they are stills from a vid) I do think we have come on a bit since Sept though so looking forward to my next one on 10th Dec x
First test in summer
vid1.jpg

Last one in Sept
vid3.jpg
 
definitely trot & canter round your front room. this way you can do it as many times as you need before you know it off by heart. also means you dont need to go to the gym! i learnt my first ever dressage test this way, & still remember it 14 years later!
 
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