Dressage test riding tips
Dressage Test Riding Tips
By Maribeth Dunlap
May 2006
Going to a dressage competition can be a lot of fun. On the other hand, it can be a complete and total disaster if you go unprepared. Just like anything new that one undertakes, it makes good plain sense to gather a little knowledge before loading up your horse and heading for the show grounds. Here are just a few tips that might help to make your first showing experience go a little smoother and help to set you up for success:
1. Be Prepared! Give yourself and your horse ample time to prepare for your competition. Don’t expect good results if you just pulled your horse out of the field after a winter lay-up the week before your show. You’ll only be setting yourself up for frustration and likely failure. Prepare by taking the time to properly condition your horse both physically and mentally. And this goes for you, too. Classical dressage is a system of training that supples, balances and strengthens the horse while he gains in confidence. If you take the time to prepare with a good, sound training system, then you will be more likely to have a positive outcome and good success.
2. Set Yourself Up for Success! A good rule of thumb is to ride the level of test that is one level below that which you are training. For example, if you’re training at home around 2nd level, then it is wise to show at 1st level. Most folks get show nerves and the competition atmosphere usually lends many distractions and horses and riders often lose their focus. It has been said that in order to do 75% your best at a show, you need to be doing 150% your best at home. So it only proves well to show a level below that which you are training. It also sets you up for success. This technique allows you and your horse to feel good about your performance and helps you both to gain in confidence.
3. Know Your Test! Memorize it, practice it, walk through it, ride through it in your mind’s eye. Some folks are afraid to ride through the entire test for reasons that they’re afraid that their horse will anticipate the movements. This may happen if you ride through the entire test everyday. What I recommend is to ride through it to feel how it flows and to get a sense of your weak areas. Then take your weak areas and practice only those movements coming in and out of those weak areas until you and your horse are more comfortable with them. Then put the test back together and ride through the entire test again. Analyze it and ask yourself, how did it flow, does it feel more comfortable, is it consistent and steady, etc. And as you get closer to your competition, ride only parts of the test. Ride parts of it one day along with your normal schooling session, ride another part the next day along with your normal schooling session, and so on. Then maybe a day or two out from your competition, ride through the entire test again. I’ve had good success with this method.
4. Know Yourself And Your Horse! How much time do you need to prepare at the show grounds before your tests? If it takes you 30 minutes to get dressed, give yourself an hour. How long does your horse need to warm-up? Sometimes in the beginning it is hard to know just how much time your horse may need to warm-up. Some need a bit of lunging, and then some warm-up under saddle. And then again, others need just a bit of stretching and transitions and then they’re ready to go. It may take a few shows under your belt before you get a good feel for what your horse needs. A good warm-up is essential to riding a good test so take your time and get to know yourself and your horse and what your needs are. It is also helpful to bring a support person along with you. This person would be a valuable asset to you in that she could run errands for you, hold your horse while you’re getting dressed, offer words of encouragement, help groom, etc.
5. Get to the Show On Time! In fact, get there early. You want to get there early enough to not feel rushed. There is nothing worse than rushing about, trying to prepare and rushing through your warm-up. That usually ends with lack of concentration, focus, forgetting something like your bridle number or whip, forgetting your test, and ending in frustration. I have a friend who would get to the show literally minutes before her test and do a mad dash about and then rush through her warm-up and test. She was always frazzled, dazed and confused. If she stood still long enough you could truly feel her stress. I often wondered if she really enjoyed her showing experiences. So get there early. Find out, well in advance of your test, where the warm-up ring is located, in which ring you will be riding, get yourself to the secretary stand and pick up your rider packet, bridle number, etc. Acclimate yourself to the show grounds and get a feel for the atmosphere. Take your time to prepare so that you’ll feel more relaxed and confident. This will help ensure a good success.
6. Get to The Ring On Time! In fact, get there one test early. If it is a good test, watch it. If it is not going so well, visualize your own test. I find that watching a really good test before I ride my own helps to give me a positive image in my head. Know who is riding before you so that when they are finished with their final salute, you can enter the ring and acclimate your horse to the surroundings. Walk past the judge’s box, the letters and flowers, and prepare your horse with what works best for you. I almost always do a few transitions to get my horse listening and in tune with me. You have 45 seconds to enter at ‘A’ once the judge rings her bell or blows her whistle. Use that time wisely and don’t be late!
7. Let The Judge Know You Mean Business! Conduct yourself in a good manner. Present yourself and your horse to the best of your abilities. Be clean and neat about your appearance. Braid your horse, yes, braid even for a schooling show. Wear your show clothes and polish your boots. Make sure your horse’s coat shines with good grooming and the tail is free from tangles. As you enter the ring for your test, look at the judge in the eye. Stare into her eyes as you come down the centerline. Be precise and ride perfect figures. This is a big part of your score. Ride your test to the best of your ability, with consistency and steady rhythm, with clear transitions, and distinction and clarity between the movements.
8. Slow Time Down! An excellent technique while riding your test is to “slow time down”. In other words, in your mind’s eye, ride in slow motion. Beginning test riders have a tendency to rush through their tests. They rush through the movements, the transitions, and often there lacks a clarity or distinction between them. If you learn to “slow time down”, your test should flow more consistently. You’ll feel like you have more time to think and prepare for each movement and transition. This does not mean to go slow and take an hour through your test, but what it means is to take the time to think before each and every movement and transition.
9. Breathe! Breathe, don’t hold your breath! Beginner dressage riders, like beginner jumping riders, will often hold their breath during their test. It can be a little humorous watching these riders as they become redder faced as the test goes along. I even witnessed a rider almost passing out at the end of her test as she held her breath. So breathe! A good technique is to hum. Not loud, mind you, or you will get penalized for the use of your voice. My own personal technique is to giggle a little, very quietly so that it can’t really be heard, but it really helps to keep me breathing. In fact, when things get a little sticky in my test, the more I giggle. It keeps me breathing and also helps to keep things in perspective, to not be too serious and to have fun!
10. Thank The Judge! After your final salute, smile and pat your horse. Walk towards the Judge and say thank you! It is not appropriate to strike up a conversation but it is polite to say thank you! Usually at schooling shows, the Judge may want to offer you some constructive criticism. Sit on your horse at ‘C’ and politely listen to what the Judge is offering you. Most Judges truly want the best for you and your horse and give good, positive suggestions. Remember that the Judge only knows of you and your horse for that short time in the ring. She has no idea of what you do or how you usually ride at home. Her criticism is based on what she sees at that moment. Thank her again and graciously exit the ring at a walk.
11. Be A Good Competitor! Conduct yourself on the show grounds in a professional manner. Be respectful and kind to others. There is nothing worse than leaving your test with a sour attitude and even worse yet, blaming your horse. Maintain a positive attitude and be enthusiastic! This type of behavior is contagious. Congratulate those who have had successes in the show ring. It really shows that you are a good sport and this attitude will leave you feeling good about yourself.
12. Learn From Your Experience! Ask yourself how you can improve upon your performance, how you can make the day flow better, etc. Observe other more experienced competitors to see how they did things and what techniques they might have used. Talk with others to see what they do differently and to get ideas as to how to prepare or to make the day flow better. Little things, small adjustments can make a big difference in your show experience.
13. Have Fun! Finally, have fun! Horse showing is not really very glamorous. It is usually a lot of hard work and long hours. One spends too much time, energy and money not to have fun. So by putting in a little extra effort to prepare, you will have a better chance of having a successful day and have fun in the process.
Photo: Maribeth riding Escarpa
