Prelim 10

[ronansmum]

I shall try to keep this brief so please read on.

The weather has been freezing up here for the last week so none of our horses have been ridden/turned out and it seems the cold snap may last. Our school surface of rubber/sand is still pretty solid so we don't know when we will be able to work them.

I have been "persuaded" to enter an unaffiliated dressage comp, my very first, on 21 December (less than 2 weeks) and the test will be prelim 10. I have studied it on You Tube and the test sheet and can remember it all right but should I really consider doing it? I am not a good rider, but Ronan has done this sort if thing before although not for a long time. I have had one proper dressage lesson, last weekend and it was quite daunting as he does get excited when we go somewhere new. The teacher said "I can see you doing a nice test" but I sensed she meant...........after umpteen lessons!! I haven't tried the test yet, was going to do it last week but with no riding didn't get the chance.

I don't want to make an eejit of myself but at the same time I don't want to be seen as wimpy by not doing it and I do want to have a bash in a way, you have to start somewhere don't you? I believe in visualisation and can picture us doing it quite well, but when push comes to shove will I be able to??? And is it a hard test for the first one? Canter is Ro's nicest pace but he tends to go off on the wrong leg on the right rein, that will panic me.. Someone said Prelim 10 is quite a hard test, should I wait til an "easier" one comes on the schedule?

Sorry to be so useless....

[kitcat]

I don't know anything about the tests but I am sure you will be fine. You are obviously ready to try so don't put yourself or Ronan down. Give it your best shot, learn from it and you are bound to be pleasantly surprised. Karma for luck

[ronansmum]

Oh thank you kitcat...

When I read back my post I sound quite confident but I'm not - but thanks for the karma. I shall carry that with me on 21st!!

And I shall try to get photos too, OH will probably be there so should manage a couple.

[fimacg]

Go for it, what have you got to loose?

treat it as an experience, don't worry too much about it and the comments sheet will help chart your progress.

My first every dressage sheet said "Well Tried" we left the arena twice when we shouldn't have, Fig decided to go the wrong way at one point despite me telling him we were supposed to be going right he went left.... and so on.

I'll be doing my 1st test with Brave in January too. Karma for luck

[duckles]

Good luck Ronansmum- I sure you and Ronan will do really well. My first test was a diaster but I really enjoyed it. I remember the judge commenting 'incorrect lead, well done on changing quickly'- as a matter of fact, I hadn't even noticed!! My horse had corrected himself. SHe also pointed out that long rein and loose rein were not the same thing!! and that you shouldn't change whip as you change reins. So I learn loads!! Actually it was great fun and I was so proud of myself and Cori for getting through it.
Please get loads of photos and a full blow by blow account

[fleabitten]

are you not supposed to change whip?? We are taught to to this at my RS and dont think ive been marked down for changing over at any of the dressage competitions (outside judge).

[racaille]

LOL Duckles!!!

Ro, I soooo admire you for having the guts to even think about it. I would be sick with nerves even now. I think you should have a go as you are obviously up for it (not a good rider? My @rse) Think of it as an adventure .... (good advice from someone who can no longer compete ..... )

[haffyfan]

Good Luck Ronansmum...loads of great advice already given...just enjoy yourselves and what more could you want?

***piccy's...goody goody can't wait! You do realise you MUST provide us with them now they ahve been dangled***

[ronansmum]

LOL Haffy.. and big huigs and kisses to all of you for encouraging me.

Rac, sick with nerves already? Yes I am that too....and if I stop eating because of them that'll be no bad thing..

Change whip when you change rein?? Yes I can do that, in fact Pam takes it away from me because Ro sees it out the corner of his eye and throws a wobbly, (see how good I am at keeping him in check ?? )

Thank you all for your comments and encouragement, yes I am going to do it. The shcool had defrosted yesterday sufficiently for me to ride for 20 minutes but it was frosty overnight again so don't know about later today.

I will dish out karma to you all, as a thank you for your help, it is just so great to have such support and encouragement - THANK YOU all....

[duckles]

About the whip change- Yes Flea, I was taught to do that as well in lessons but the dressage judge said it shouldn't be done in tests. I don't know if that is the general rule or not - as I never did it since- well I often don't take a whip in anyway. I have never actually seen anyone change a whip in a test. So I really don't know the definitive rule on this- if there is one

[brigadier]

I used to carry the whip in the hand I knew I needed it for and never change- too much other stuff to think about.

Ro Im really jealous, I dont think Im ever going to persuade Basil that dressage should be his forte, (he hates the school and throws me off if he feels like it!) and i love it! Im glad youre having a go- its a start and even if you dont feel ready you should get some pointers on what to work on. Also if your horse has done it before you may feel him go into automatic when you start, some do that and its quite a funny feeling! Good luck- only a video will do!

[dannyboy]

Gosh this sounds so exciting - all the best for the 21st

[Maes Seren]

P10 is my 2nd favourite test, N21 being my favourite.
Its only a prelim at the end of the day, the lowest level of dressage minus intro (which i dont count as theres hardly anywhere that does them) and the judges dont look for anything great as such, just accuracy, straightness and low levels of balance. Its aimed at 4yo's beginning their dressage career - very basic training behind them, able to w/t/c in a straight line with a rhythm and very basic outline - long and low but with the poll the highest point.

The reason why you shouldnt change your whip over in a test is because it will no doubtably interrupt your horses rhythm and concentration so they would rather see it stay in one hand. Same if youre doing serpentines (eg P18) - dont bother changing diaganols, it'll interrupt the horse.

You can carry whips/wear spurs from any level, but from medium (i think) upwards spurs are compulsory and at regional champs whips arent allowed. I generally dont take a whip into a test with me, but i do always wear spurs during the test (do a quick swap, whip for spurs before i go in) as theyre more subtle than a tap with the whip.

I find P10 quite an easy test, but P4 quite difficult as theres more to do in P10 and horses tend to find its a little easier to settle in. P4/7 are quite drawn out and theres alot of time just trotting round to the next move. P18 i found quite difficult, its more intense than P10 and busy but still quite nice. P12 is a memorable test, my first affiliated test, which is also great. Quite busy but perfect for horses who struggle with straight lines.

One last note, be careful when you move to novice, N32 is stupidly hard for horses who are just in the borderline! lol! ;D

Good luck too ;D

[haffyfan]

Dec 9, 2008 17:08:01 GMT brigadier said:

II dont think Im ever going to persuade Basil that dressage should be his forte, (he hates the school and throws me off if he feels like it!) !

Sorry to hijack your thread but it does make me feel better to hear Murphs' not the only nag out there who hates the dreaded schooling ;D

[ronansmum]

Thanks Brig and Maes, all very helpful comments. I won't carry a whip then, but I always wear spurs.

But better still, are you saying don't bother changing diagonal???

I have never been good with them, I know what I should be doing but for some reason my co-ordination is so bad that I am never sure when I am rising or sitting when I look at his outside shoulder. I read and tried to implement Brig's bump_bump_ but trying to sit in trot was all too much for this old gel....


But never mind, I am determined to give it my best shot, as brig says even if I am not up to it I will still learn something and get pointers on where to go next.

A good friend tells me to say to myself "I have a fabulous horse who I trust and I am lucky to have him and he is lucky to have me...we can do this" that's a lovely positive thought and one I will use as my mantra.... ;D

[ceej]

Ive put this date on the diary - so even if you wnat us to forget it we cant! hehe

Good luck for the day....x

[Maes Seren]

But better still, are you saying don't bother changing diagonal???

No, in prelim 10 it doesnt actually matter, but when you come to more advanced prelims (P18) they include serpentines and on the whole were taught to change diaganol as we cross the centre line. The judges would rather see you on the wrong diaganol for the 1/3 of the movement than to see you bobbing about changing diaganol upsetting the rhythm of your horse.
General changes of rein, do change diaganol.

Ive done P10 so many times its untrue so if you want any further help with it feel free to PM.

[ronansmum]

Confession gels... I am not going after all.

Nobby, the other horse who was going with us in the lorry had his wolf teeth out 2 weeks ago but one of them is very sore and has not healed. No bone or anything left in, just slow to heal so the vet's advice is no riding for two weeks.

My trailer has been recalled, some safety problem with the partition so I can't use it, but quite honestly we aren't ready - Ro and me. We lost over two weeks riding with the ice and cold so have ridden the test once and a half so far. Not enough.....ok maybe enough for him but not for me and I have to feel I can give it my best shot.

Feel I have let you down after you were all so supportive but honestly I wouldn't do him justice.

Plenty of things coming up in the NY so I am not off the hook....

[racaille]

Bad luck Ro. And no, we are not letting you off the hook! ;D

[Becca]

as above haha

[haffyfan]

Definatly not off the hook...we need to see pictures and soon!

[fimacg]

there will be other tests Ro, hope you get your trailer sorted