Prelim? Intro? something easy!

[suzii]

I understand that your horse doesn't need to be in an outline just in rythm and accepting the contact. Am i right?

I would love to take Sprite to do some dressage as it will help is education and I would love to compete anyway!

I heard you can just do walk and trot tests? Thats would be good as our canter transitions need work!

So what do I do? Where do I start?

[haffyfan]

Sorry suzii I can't be of any assistance to you bar bumping this so someone else might spot it!

Prelims 6 and 4 are very simple but do involve cantering.

[fleabitten]

see my reply on carlas 'tests' thread. These would be great for practice and then if you wanted to compete you could! Plus you wouldnt even have to leave home! And theyre free to download. There arent British Dressage tests, and they even have tests that include a jump or two.

if you want to do it properly, have a look around for dressage competitions or leagues at centres nearby - they will usually do their competitions with proper BD tests but make sure they are unaffiliated comps - that is, not British Dressage comps. Sorry for waffling, i hope you understand that! I think they will either give you a copy of the test or you may have to buy them yourself, but they arent dear - 50p or somehing per test plus P+P i think!

[fimacg]

Prelims are good generally the lower the number the easier the test, see if you can find some beginner classes, which mean if you have won twice you are no longer able to enter it.

Also don't be put off by comments from the judge, they are trying to be helpful especially at prelim stage. Give it a go, with Figaro, my comments ranged from Well Tried - when we exited the arena an A C and K at various points during the test and destoyed a plant pot (now that is one test I will never forget), to finally being placed every time we went out.

I find looking back at test sheets is also a really good record of your progress, if you know you are weak on your canter, make sure your trot work is really good and accurate, which will compensate for lower marks in the canter.

[suzii]

Thank you everyone!

Fi - Where do I find beginner classes? Where are they advertised?

Fleabitten - Thank you I think I might have a go at inter dresage! It looks like a good way to get started!

[fimacg]

Suzzii, check with local equestrian centres, most will run a beginners/newcomers class as the first one if they are doing a dressage comp.

[chiefsmyboy]

I've found the majority of unaffiliated dressage competitions now hold 'walk and trot' tests in Staffordshire so I would guess it would be the same all over.

[abi]

walk and trots are good- at most shows round here too.

prelims are easiest and for anyone, thats a good place to start after walk and trot.
dressagediagrams.co.uk are really good if you dont have the tests x