learning tests

[zoon]

Last night I tacked the neddy up and went into the school to start learning prelim 12. I've never done a dressage test before and thought I'd have a go - so we are doing 12 and possibly 15 on the 13th July just for a bit of fun.

I never realised how difficult it was to learn them! So much harder than learning the course for jumping. I started off just trying to learn the route and not worry about the transitions etc. So off we went on a nice long rein in walk. think I went the wrong way every time we did it! It just won't sink in at all.

Good job I left a lot of time to learn it

[Becca]

i used to set out a mini "school" in my garden or front room and walk trot and canter the test on foot my family thought i was mad but it helped haha

[libbylover]

How long have you been riding for?

[abi]

do you know what type of learner you are? depends if you remember things by looking or doing or talking.

im a visual learner so i print off the coloured diagrams from dressage diagrams (can normally remember most diagrams in my head, i see pictures in my ehad when i need them lol) and i draw a school and make the pen go where i would, with X's where the transitions are x

[aimee]

Yeah I used to use a white board thing, or just pencil and paper and draw a school and the letter marking in pen or something permanent then use washable pen/pencil to 'ride' out the test. very helpful. Then you can rub it out and start again! I think they might do the boards in robinsons or somewhere but its easy to do your own.

And yes I used to ride mine out on foot in the garden too! Actually very helpful!

Dont forget you can have a caller to read out your test while you are in the arena, Helps if you are forgetful or nervous!

[abi]

getting someone to read the test might be an idea actually- even if you dont listen to it, ts there as a backup if you do lose it and forget!

make sure theyre reading it at the right time though, dont get lost! x

[flash7]

I always do what becca does to learn a test and my OH laughed at me one day as I was "cantering: around the room using his socks as markers!!!

[zoon]

Been riding for about about 18yrs - I was one of those annoying little BSJA brats with push button ponies that just took you round the course. So I've always show jumped and never ventured into a dressage arena! Now I've lost my nerve jumping I thought I'd try dressage for a bit!

[abi]

zoon- dressage is nearly as addictive as jumping is!!!
i only ever jumped until this year, when i entered a dressage test and have been hooked since then! x

[Maes Seren]

Set out an arena in your house, walk it thru reading off the sheet over and over. You'll get a little dizzy but you'll soon learn it! ;D (Ive learnt a test in 30mins before doing that in the middle of the yard!)

[Buzz]

I think watching the test ridden helps me get it into my head and having someone yelling it for you helps when your first learning it too so that you dont go the wrong way and confuse yourself! i've walked one through on the ground before as well!

Maybe i'm strange but i learnt my end of year dressage test (novice 21) for my uni course just by remembering the order of movements rather than the letters they happened at.. I never once read through the test on paper either i just rode it several times with it being yelled for me and then watched other people in my group ride it through..

[kateflashy]

i do it with a piece of paper and using long dashes for walk med for trot and short for canter it always looks a mess after but after a few goes it sinks in and put the test under your pillow when you go to bed , dunno how it works but when you wake up you know it like the back of your hand , its worked for loads of people ,

[finefilly]

i always get someone to read mine out as i am hopeless when i get nervous ;D

[abi]

so...how did it go?! xx

[zoon]

I remembered where we were going, but he was a bit naughty and cantered in one of the corners and wouldn't stop! got a very low mark for that movement and a comment - must gain more control!!! Got good marks for everything else though - overall 55% so not too upset. Other comments of lackling suppleness (he's been back in work about a month so that is still to come) and needs to bend more round inside leg (I have very weak lower legs to struggle with this but we can work on it) Not too shabby for first ever dressage test!