Want to have a go at dressage - Help !!!!

[Kayfm]

I would like to have a go at some dressage tests but dont know where to start. Is it prelim or is there some sort of intro. Are the tests hard to remember (I am old !!) and how long do they last for. Any help, advise, tips please

 

[Taffyhorse]

Your local Riding Club is normally a good place to start (and a good way to meet new friends too). Prelim is the lowest level and normally involves basic movements in walk, trot and canter and lasts around 4-5 mins. At Riding Club level you can have someone calling the test movements for you as you ride the test which helps (I always forget them no matter how hard I try and learn it!).

A lot of Riding Clubs also do Walk and Trot tests too which are quite a good way to start and probably last the same amount of time.

Not sure how British Dressage works if you wanted to affiliate - maybe somebody else can help with that side of things.

Good luck!

 

[Nats_uk]

Have a look at
www.horsedates.co.uk
www.ridingdiary.co.uk

for dates and schedules of local unaff. shows - ditto what has been said about Riding Clubs - we run tests from walk/trot - to novice and all standards are welcomed.
Click here to find your local riding club.
Whereabouts are you in London? Our RC has got dressage on next weekend (its in Hockley, Essex)

 

[Nats_uk]

Oh and tests are normally between 5-7min. You can have a caller unaff normally and at BD (except for regionals and finals).

BD now do walk-trot tests at some venues and you can enter prelims without having to register with them.

 

[Burnttoast]

Echo Taffyhorse, plus there are now British Dressage tests Introductory A and B (walk/trot) below prelim level, and these are quite widely used at unaffiliated comps now. I think they're quite a nice way to start if you want something with no pressure.

To learn tests I draw the arena on a bit of paper and trace it out with a finger - often - and then once I know it I visualise riding it in an arena (it's also supposed to help when you do this if you imagine it all going beautifully well

). You can have a caller but you may find once you're riding the test you don't pay much attention to them, so best to know roughly where you're going!

Don't forget to salute at the end ... I always forget, v. bad

Affiliating with British Dressage means higher entry fees, to start with, but in any case unaffiliated comps are sometimes run under their rules, which you can find on this page:
http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/competitions/rules

Good on you for *wanting* to compete! My horse's owners are keen for him to do a test now he's going better, so I've obediently learned prelim 15 (that's quite an easy one to remember!) for next month at my local comp but when I think about it I just shake all over. I wouldn't have turned a hair 15 years ago...

Have fun!

 

[Kayfm]

Hi guys, great advise and tips - thanks very much. Think I may go to watch a few tests then have a go ! wish me luck. Nats-uk, im in West London.

 

[MontyandZoom]

Where are you in West London?? I have just started doing dressage. I did a walk/trot test and am now going to do a prelim. I did it at Lea Barn Stables in Iver. It was great for starting since they are so nice and relaxed and not at all pressured. I have the dates if you fancy it.

 

[Kayfm]

Hi ya, its a small world, we are not far from lea barns. We are in Iver - well the horses are anyway!!. when does lea barns hold dressage, i knew they had shows regularly.