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Post by charleykips on Jan 6, 2009 13:11:35 GMT
Iv entered kip and myself into a local dressage series, our first test will be prelim 7 iv ridden this myself a good few times but never with kip. we have 2 weeks to get practicing, im hoping that the slightly smaller arena will help me discourage kip from picking up speed in canter and listen to me, Hopefully lol
Does anyone have any tips for preparing for dressage?
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Post by kitcat on Jan 6, 2009 13:21:23 GMT
Good luck Charleykips. I'm sure you will both do really well. Piccies would be good.....
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Post by Jen on Jan 6, 2009 13:22:46 GMT
keep calm, breathe and do your best are probably the best tips ive heard. if you know the test then you are already half way there but if you dont then mark out an arena in your garden/living room/bedroom etc or use your own real arena and do the test on foot including movements, gait changes etc etc, its how i taught p7 to my friends when we had to do it at camp one year - i9t seemed to stick in their heads better than just reading it over and over. only do it once before on kip so he doesnt start to anticipate the movements and therefore being marked down but do go through all of the movements several times in different orders - it will have him thinking and using himself properly in the actual ytest. something that can make a big difference is if you ride in competition gear a coupl of times before the competition then if you ride differently in them both you and kip can get used to it, for example if you have long boots rather than the usual joddy boots and chaps for comps then kip will know how they feel when you ride in them and wont be alarmed by something new but you wouldnt think would bother him if you get what i mean??
if all this seems like gobbledegook then it probably is, ive never done a serious dressage thing before, only in lessons and twice at camp which doesnt really count coz it was with my friends but its just things i have picked up from friends books and magazines.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by fimacg on Jan 6, 2009 13:33:04 GMT
I agree with all the above, I try to practice the various movements when just generally schooling and then build them all together for the test. I also always aim to pick up marks for accuracy by riding corners properly and get the transitions in the right locations.
Its weird I have also just entered the local winter dressage series (starting next Wed night) and the 1st text is P7... I also get a practice as I am riding it on Saturday as well.
Good luck and keep us posted
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ceej
Administrator 
im back.... :)
Posts: 5,363
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Post by ceej on Jan 6, 2009 14:05:21 GMT
oooh good luck both of you! x
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Post by ronansmum on Jan 7, 2009 10:58:42 GMT
Good luck both!!!
Have fun and enjoy. ;D
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joandlad
Apprentice Poo Picker
My beautiful boy!
Posts: 473 
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Post by joandlad on Jan 7, 2009 11:04:27 GMT
Not really a dresage queen either but my tip would be to remember that you only really lose marks for one particular movement at a time (apart from the overall marks). So, if that movement is a complete nightmare, move on to the next and put it out of your mind as best you can. Don't let one or two mistakes ruin a whole test. Oh yes, breath is a top tip! ;D
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Post by Becca on Jan 7, 2009 11:27:34 GMT
thats a good point, don't let one mistake lead you to give up. everything i was going to say have been covered so i'll just say, relax and enjoy it! (and post pics  ) |
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Post by Becca on Jan 7, 2009 11:28:10 GMT
oh and how could i forget good luck to you both (sorry)
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Post by duckles on Jan 7, 2009 12:05:18 GMT
Excellent advice given above. the accuracy thing is really true- people (apparantly) throw away marks for not changing at the marker or for badly shaped circles etc.
My only other advice is to be totally proud of your horse and enjoy showing him off ( which I know is hard to do if he is playing up and nerves are eating you up and the 4 mins in the arena without breathing seems like an eternity) BUT it's an attitude that does work
And Good Luck ;D
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Post by charleykips on Jan 8, 2009 22:52:26 GMT
Duckles- ill have to pretend to be really proud of him coz when we trot into the arena looking like he has been in a fight with a lawnmower, hes going to need the confidence lol hes really scared of the clippers as we found out after clipping one side of his belly and then he freaked so he is a mess. Iv bought some manual ones to try and tidy him up so i hope they work lol
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Post by charleykips on Jan 13, 2009 0:25:31 GMT
Well its all over!!!! Were not doing our dressage test now, kip decided that he would lose a shoe just for a laugh and the clippers i ordered went blunt halfway through so were defo not dg it this month lol, roll on feb!
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Post by dannyboy on Jan 13, 2009 9:18:50 GMT
Never mind, these things happen - roll on Feb |
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Post by fimacg on Jan 13, 2009 9:57:07 GMT
there are always other tests, Feb will be just fine
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Post by fleabitten on Jan 13, 2009 12:25:47 GMT
You sound a bit relieved! ;D Good Luck for february, im sure it will be good fun  |
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Post by brigadier on Feb 1, 2009 15:11:57 GMT
Best advice I could give is make sure you have plenty of time to warm up but dont over cook your horse. Also learn the test- you will do a much better one than if you have it read out. If your horse is sharp then dont practise beforehand but if he is inclined to be lazy then a little anticipation may help you with the impulsion marks. Aim for 1m to the side (your side not the far side) of the marker when changing rein so that you meet it with your shoulder. And this may be contentious but I would never plait up for unaffiliated or prelim, its supposed to show respect for the judge but most are not bothered at that level. (unless you like plaiting but Id rather use the time to not rush getting there etc) Good luck!
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Post by charleykips on Feb 5, 2009 14:17:38 GMT
Right an update i think.......
Well finally got kip 99% clipped, even with a double dose of sedation from the vet he was a bugger but the battery on the clippers went before i could finish so that it, he clipped and who cares if he looks like it was done with a stanly blade lmao.
The test in on the 15th so fingers crossed , im going to hire the arena on monday night to get him used to it coz i know for a fact he is going to have an issue with EVERYTHING , but ill try and get plenty of pictures xx
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Always saddle your own horse
for so much hard work we thank ye!!