Our First Walk & Trot Test Result

[Silly Filly]

We got 51.3%. Is that good? Bearing in mind it was our first ever test and he is VERY forward going (jogs when i want him to walk and canters when i want him to trot!). In the test he did a few strides of canter and jog! But on the whole he was very good, i thought he would jog and canter a lot more than just a few strides, so i'm really pleased with him. Judge said that he has a lot of presence. What would you take presence to mean? That he is very "look at me" and has nice paces?

[Hollymead]

I think that's a very respectable first-time score. Did you get a score sheet? What were your lowest marks on? Cos they're the bits to work on for next time :)
And yep, I'd say lots of presence means exactly as you say 'Look at me, I'm gorgeous' :D

[Rarah]

Scores are very difficult to compare - different horses at differing stages in their training. It's good to get your score sheet and aim to improve upon your score next time.

Well Done!!

[Silly Filly]

Thank you, here is a photo of him which I took when we got back to the yard.

[NoviceNic]

Excellant first score. And what a gorgeous look at me your horse has. **grins**

Did you only attempt the test once?? My RI advised me to have at least 2 attempts. Gives the horse a chance to settle down in the first one.

[chickyd444]

WELL DONE ! im doing mine this year v.nervous, i think thats a brill score first time out - i would be proud to get that :p xxxxx

[Silly Filly]

So you all think it's a good first score then? A friend said an average score is about 60%? She came joint 1st with 3 other people with 64%. She said 60% is average and then told me that Diego's (Andalusian) neck looks like a bulls!!

[Berry]

50% is average because it is halfway between 0 and 100!
I would say over 60% is a high score, I am really happy when I get over that :D
The first test I did I got 49% so I would say you got a good score for a first attempt. Like others say though it depends on the judging so sometimes it's hard to compare.

[Soot]

Well done!
If you can get someone to video your test, I've found the wonderful people here at NR always have very constructive advice for improvement! I am still very much a learner, but have had several placements in dressage last year (walk-trot mostly, but even a prelim) and it's wonderful to see my own improvement by looking back at the videos chronologically!

[Silly Filly]

Diego was much more relaxed yesterday and we got 56.8% (2 weeks ago we got 51.3% for our first Walk & Trot test). The judge said he has lots of presence and a nice rhythm. However, he is very forward going (jogs etc), although this weekend he has been really chilled out! Almost like a different horse! So I'm hoping the more I do with him the more chilled out he will be? Comments to work towards for our next test are:

short steps (i.e. he needs to stretch out more)
tense
hollow
outline

Please can I have some advice on how to work on the 4 things above.