starting out

[sherr002]

have decided since everyone keeps saying i should im gonna have a go at dressage ;D but i dont know what to do showing and jumping i had done before but ive never done dressage
i know that the judge looks for a well schooled horse and a nice calm consistent rider
tabs works nicely in an outline now but can overbend slightly and the canter is still getting there will that matter as it will only be a little prelim test
also what should i wear? would i be ok in my navy jacket white shirt and blue tie and beige jods and boots?
also at prelim you can have someone calling the test out to you cant you?
and what are the nice easy tests?
wish me luck will get practising for my first test

[Blonde Donkey]

you should be ok in your riding gear
i think you can have someone calling the test but it put me off
prelim is the lowest level but should be great fun!

[sherr002]

kwl really nervous tho
tabs is fine at home cus im relaxed but if im at the comp i will be tense dont want to make a fool of myself

[Blonde Donkey]

what i did when i got stressed at a comp was just concentrate on my breathing and making sure savs was happy
also just go in like your riding at home
you don't have to do well as you're always coming home with the best horse

[sherr002]

i can just imagine tho getting run off with in the ring and getting 2s and 3s

[Blonde Donkey]

thats would happen with me and savs tho we would probably get lost halfway through as well

[fleabitten]

Usually they are great at Prelim level - if its unaffiliated/fun. I didnt want to do the canter part on Princess as she was skittish and i was nervous anyway after having come off the day before after crossing stirrups - and the judges were lovely and gave me great comments even though i didnt canter

[maximum]

why not try interdressage? its easy to get into and you dont get the same nerves and if you do a rubbish one you just do it again!! good practice for going out and doing tests!

www.interdressage.com/

[chellebean]

Aug 10, 2008 20:45:57 GMT maximum said:

why not try interdressage? its easy to get into and you dont get the same nerves and if you do a rubbish one you just do it again!! good practice for going out and doing tests!

www.interdressage.com/

Ah wow, Max! That's one way of doing it lol shame I have a habit from hiding from all cameras

[slinky]

Ah wow, Max! That's one way of doing it lol shame I have a habit from hiding from all cameras [/quote]

You only hide from the lens!

[chellebean]

Aug 11, 2008 8:23:56 GMT slinky said:

Ah wow, Max! That's one way of doing it lol shame I have a habit from hiding from all cameras

You only hide from the lens! [/quote]


That is very true lol

[silverstirrups]

If you're a little unsure why not try a walk and trot test for the first couple of times. No canter to worry about and great confidence givers. Most competitions will have a W/T as well as prelims and novices.
I have a friend who was a little like you, she knew nothing about dressage, was VERY nervous and swore she'd never remember a test. Her horse was not well schooled either. That was about a year ago.
Last weekend we went to a competition where she did a W/T test as a warm up and then 2 prelims. She did 2 of the 3 tests from memory and came 6th in one of the prelims. How's that?!!! She has put in a lot of work at home and she's come a long way so go for it I say.