February
24
Do you have any tips for riding an Intro or Training level Dressage Test?
I’ve shown at small schooling shows with my 20 yr old Appaloosa. (he doesn’t have the best movement but I love him to death.) We’re going to our third schooling show in a few weeks and of course I’m taking lessons, but I’m just wondering if anyone had additional tips for us.
Well, first off, Good Luck. 
I learn from my dressage instructor that the test needs to flow, not necessarily be 100% exact. So, say, it’s canter at B, then I would weather or not it looked good. I didn’t get many points for that. Instead she wanted it to flow.
Also, try not to practice the test in the exact order it goes in. The horse learns the pattern and then he anticipates the moves before you get to them. Or if that would help, practice the pattern exactly.
Hope that helps
February 24th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Well, first off, Good Luck.
I learn from my dressage instructor that the test needs to flow, not necessarily be 100% exact. So, say, it’s canter at B, then I would weather or not it looked good. I didn’t get many points for that. Instead she wanted it to flow.
Also, try not to practice the test in the exact order it goes in. The horse learns the pattern and then he anticipates the moves before you get to them. Or if that would help, practice the pattern exactly.
Hope that helps
References :
Horse Owner and Trainer
February 24th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Practice, practice and more practice.
That and rest. Make sure you get some rest before the show.
Good luck!
I hate horse shows, I’ve been avoiding them with a passion for several years now, but when I did show thats what I did. Practice and rest so not to get burned out before the show. My thoroughbred loves being in "retirement"
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February 24th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Always stay as calm as possible because if you are nervous, your horse will know it & it can affect the way he/she shows. Be sure you know when & where to change gaits. Being very correct in pattern & riding posture can help disquise some of the "not so good" movements your horse may have. Always SMILE-remember, you are supposed to be having a good time.
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Owned, trained, shown & judged horse shows for over 45 years
February 24th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
ride the test as accurately as you can. This will make up for your horse who you say is not such a nice mover.
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February 24th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
YOUR HORSE DOESNT NEED TO HAVE THE BEST MOVEMENT HE JUST NEEDS TO BE FREE IN HIS MOVEMENT.THE MORE RELAXED THE HORSE THE BETTER THE TEST. JUST THINK OF IT AS A SHOW AND THAT YOU ARE THERE TO HAVE FUN WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND. LEARN THE TEST AND MEMORISE IF POSSIBLE YOU CAN PACTIISE THE TEST BY DOING THE COURSE YOURSELF WITHOUT THE HORSE THIS IS ALWAYS A BONUS FOR U. RIDE YOUR HORSE WITHOUT STIRRUPS THIS WILL GIVE YOU BETTER BALANCE AND PLACE YOU DEEPER INTO THE SADDLE AND GIVE YOUR HORSE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT INTO EACH PACE. I RIDE ALL THE TIME WITHOUT STIIRUPS AND RISE TROT AS FLUENT AS POSSIBLE AS MANY TIMES AS YOU CAN WHILST TRAINING YOUR HORSE FOR DIFFERENT DISAPLINES.
YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND COMFORT OF KNOWING THE TEST IS GOING TO BE THE GREATEST KEY FOR YOU.
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February 24th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
The best advice anyone can give you is this: HAVE FUN!
You should already be prepared to show. No more training now. It’s all about showing off what you know and what your horse knows. Now is when you have fun.
If you aren’t having fun, then what’s the point?
Good luck!
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