It's all about the cream breeches. "It" in this case being what I was kindly given by a friend whose boyfriend gave riding dressage a shot and decided it wasn't for him...
Judging by that we're only going to really have a problem with accuracy, transitions, gaits, impulsion, round circles, staying within five metres of the track, remembering which letter is where, distinguishing left and right and creating the harmonious impression that horse and rider aren't actually currently engaged in a punch-up.
Details, details...
If UK dressage tests are anything like US dressage tests, accurate figures, steady rhythm, and a consistent shape will put you ahead of 90% of the other entries, especially at the low levels.
Breathing is recommended. (But not, I have conclusively proven, actually required.)
Well, there's impulsion and then there's impulsion...have you ever read the objectives for the various levels? It's pretty cool. Training Level is meant "...to confirm that the horse's muscles are supple and loose, and that it moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bit." It's not until First that you start to need to show "that the horse...has developed thrust (pushing power)" as well as having "achieved a degree of balance and throughness." And so on. Very clear and sensible.
(You can do the same thing looking at the changes in movements/figures from one test/level to the next. Starts to put what you yourself are working on at the moment into context.)
So I d'know what the UK tests look like. But the required impulsion at our Intro level is generally less power-and-suspension than "the horse should probably show some desire to move forward because otherwise that free walk is going to take for-freakin'-ever." (Which, y'know, on the bright side, gives the scribe plenty of time to write!)
I haven't actually checked what the goals are for this one, but it's a Classical Riding Club test so I think the goals are slightly different ( though broadly similar ) to those of regular British Dressage tests...
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tee hee.
but would very much like to see you in competition! would be awesome. you've gotta start somewhere.
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No, but seriously, you guys will have so much fun! Have you done any practice with the low dressage ring fences/chains/whatever they might use?
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Seriously though, good luck!
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Details, details...
If UK dressage tests are anything like US dressage tests, accurate figures, steady rhythm, and a consistent shape will put you ahead of 90% of the other entries, especially at the low levels.
Breathing is recommended. (But not, I have conclusively proven, actually required.)
Have fun!
Reply
Reply
(You can do the same thing looking at the changes in movements/figures from one test/level to the next. Starts to put what you yourself are working on at the moment into context.)
So I d'know what the UK tests look like. But the required impulsion at our Intro level is generally less power-and-suspension than "the horse should probably show some desire to move forward because otherwise that free walk is going to take for-freakin'-ever." (Which, y'know, on the bright side, gives the scribe plenty of time to write!)
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