When to try next level up in dressage?

nikCscott

nikCscott

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Hi there- I am by no means wiping the board at Prelim level, but we are (with help of new trainer) improving steadily by a couple of % every test with a PB of 66.8% with lovely encouraging comments .

I'm wondering if it's worth entering the Novice as well as the Prelim next time out to make the most of being there, but don't want to make a tit of myself either. We are working on improving the impulsion, outline, contact rider position and starting to get some medium trot at home.

Is Novice tests a massive step up?
 
It is entirely possible to "steer" round a novice test without really riding it - imo it's not a massive step up, though I'm no expert - for sure! I've ridden novices on both my horses, one of whom is by no means a dr horse and one of whom (is also not a dr pony but) is young and not really at novice level yet. I've always been middle of the board, unaffiliated, despite a noticable absence of medium paces...

What I'm meaning is, try it - you may surprise yourself, but if it doesn't go perfectly, riding it like a prelim will not make you stand out from the crowd as particularly out of your depth... Unless you mean affiliated in which case, I shall refrain from comment...
 
Your trainer would be the person to really advise you but as JFTD said you can have a go, it is not much different, even at BD, to a prelim but the judges will be looking for a more established horse than at prelim.
I think in order to make progress you need to be able to push yourself at times without worrying what others may think, if you wait until everything is perfect before trying there is more pressure and potentially more disappointment if it does not go so well.
So go for it, learn the test really well so that you can focus on getting the most out of your horse.
 
Thank you

I have a lesson today so will bring it up.

I started with very weak intros with this horse so I'm happy to start at the bottom and work up, I'll have a look what the next Novice test is coming up and have a look on youtube and see if it plays to his strengths.

Thank you
 
Have a look at the Novice tests at the next competition and maybe watch some of the horses, gives you an idea as to what the horses are doing.
You will always get the horses that are at the top end of novice and are using the Novice test as a warm up for the Elementary, the ones in the middle who are probably doing 2 Novice tests and the ones at the lower end who are using Prelim as a warm up.
Also check what tests are on as some of the higher numbered Novice test can be a bit tricky and more like Elementary.
Just remember when you ride your tests it's one persons opinion and comments (if they give you nice comments, fully agree with them and it they give you not so nice comments, what do they know anyway they're just sitting in a box!!!!), it's how you feel the horse has went that's important.
My friend is trying her first Medium test's next weekend and the horse is having hissy fits because there's a bit more pressure (and my friend is having kittens because she would have rather just stayed at Prelim for her whole life).
Good Luck whatever you do.
 
Many of the Novice tests are not really that different to the Prelims; the main difference is that movements tend to come up faster so you and the horse really need to be more "together" as a combination. It is certainly worth going through the Novice tests and picking one that is more straightforward and then having a go.
 
Just had a look on youtube at the Novice 24 test at the next comp I'm planning on going to (end of Feb) and I think we can do the test (it's quite similar or the Prelim we did last week).

Go to start somewhere and even if we get a low score it gives me a something to work on for next time.

Having been a SJ'er for all of my teenage years and 20's I never thought I would enjoy dressage so much! Being a Mum I love the organisation of having a set time :D
 
I'm in a similar boat to you, we won our last two unaffiliated dressage comps at prelim with high 60s and for my next show 19th Feb i'm going to take the plunge and do the Novice too!!

I've done two novice tests in my whole life and my horse has done none! We don't have any medium to speak of as we haven't been able to practice due to a rubbish arena. So it could go horribly wrong!

The test is Novice 30 and I'm just hoping to do an accurate and relaxed test and will be really happy with above 60%! I think you should go for it, its exciting but pretty scary too!!
 
Thanks Jango

Neither me or the horse have done a Novice :eek:

But I'm feeling good about it now so I'm going to do 2 comps in the same week (Weds eve as a warm up and then on the Sunday) as they are the same novice test and I'll do the prelims for confidence too.

Good luck with yours!
 
Elfen said:
Go for it! If you're getting high 60's prelim you'll be fine :)
Click to expand...

I agree totally with Elfen. Daughter and I are just starting out at Leadrein showing and have jumped in at the deep end with NPS and BSPS as they are the only showing shows at this time of year.

Trust me - there will be loads of others at this time of year with babies out making a fool of themselves even more than you.

I hate going to shows and only entering one class - such a waste of diesel!

Good luck
 
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