dressage, where to start?

[bethaimeelou]

I am considering starting some dressage with Pete but dont know where to start. Pete is capeable as he has competed in Prelim dressage before but i would love to do some with him. Is there any particular schooling or exercises i could do with him to get started? or anything else to get me started?

Thanks Lou xxx

[Willingbe]

You need to concentrate on the scales of training, for a preliminary test that means the priorities are the way of going - rhythm and suppleness, and the way the rider rides the tests.

Make sure the horse is forward going and off the leg in walk, trot and canter. Make sure that he thinks forwards in downwards transitions.

Movements to practice are 20m circles, 15m half circle and return to the track, and serpentines.

Information can be found at http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/info/membership_started.html on competing and the rules.

[bethaimeelou]

thanks! well i have never done dressage before so i am trying to learn, anything else i can do to start learningxx

louxx

[Holly B]

Maybe book a few lessons? I'm hoping to do a little bit of dressage soon so I'm going to have a few lessons (unfortunately I can only afford about 5 before I have no money left, darn!). I haven't had a lesson for years so it will be useful to have someone on the ground to point out any mistakes I haven't noticed I'm doing, and to recommend some exercises and things I can do when schooling at home. :)

[bethaimeelou]

ok, thanks, well im hoping to do some stuff at home too, just to start off with, i'll look into it a bit more

lou xxx

[coss]

20m circles, half 10m circles and 15 m circles are a good place to start. 3 loop serpentines are also common.
there is a test with give and retake in trot. transitions and accuracy will gain many marks in prelim!

[bethaimeelou]

ok, thanks!! xx does anyone know of any good websites?

lou xxx

[coss]

i cant think of any off the top of my head, i just use my riding instructor- i have learnt so much from her, i just use all the exercises she gives me.

[Willingbe]

Just noted that the link I intended to put in didn't appear in my post above.

Here it is:

http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/info/membership_started.html

[bethaimeelou]

thanks will look later