Dressage tests? what do they involve?

[Rokx]

I'm looking to enter a show in August and was thinking of trying some dressage. However,I dont have copies of the tests and was wondering roughly what they involve before I decide whether to do any or not & find the test from somewhere!
We're quite weak in canter, so one with less or easer canter bits would be good!

So, can anyone give me a rough idea of these tests?
Prelim 10 (2002)
Prelim 12 (2005)
Prelim 17 (2004)
Novice 32 (2002)

Which is easiest? As you can tell I have no clue about dressage at all! lol
xxx

[Lgd]

Prelim 10 is the easiest. The higher the number, the harder the test.

N32 is quite difficult, aimed more at horses due to move up to elementary.

Likewise P17 is one of the higher level prelims so will he harder and heading towards novice level.

[Gruntfuttock]

P10 is a stinker, IMO. it has horrible 10m circles to change the rein, and canter diagonally across the arena. P12 is quite a nice test, although the free walk on a long rein is round a half-circle which can be a bit challenging. I can't comment on P17, as i only have the 2002 one, which is long arena, and i think its changed.

N32 is pretty hard. It asks for give and retake of the reins in canter, and some medium trot and medium canter strides.

I would do P12 if i were in your boots :)

[Rokx]

hmm i looked at the schedule more closely and prelim 10 clashes with my other class & prelim 12 is combined training (i'm waaay too self-conscious to train front of loads of people! lol), so the only other one is prelim 17, which i dont think we'll be good enough for from the sound of it!! :(
oh well, one less thing to worry about i suppose :p
thanks for your help!
xx

[iloveshearer]

Usually the lower the number the easier the test but it depends what you and your horse are good at tbh, and sometimes it varies, as Gruntfuttock says P10 isn't a very nice test, and P12 is probably easier! :)

I would offer to show you bits of some of the tests but my computer harddrive died and they were saved on it :rolleyes:

[coss]

hmm i looked at the schedule more closely and prelim 10 clashes with my other class & prelim 12 is combined training (i'm waaay too self-conscious to train front of loads of people! lol), so the only other one is prelim 17, which i dont think we'll be good enough for from the sound of it!! :(
oh well, one less thing to worry about i suppose :p
thanks for your help!
xx

if they haven't changed prelim 17 (i'm not aware its changed!) then its in a long arena. from what i remember its a nice test. it has most of the basic movements but in the extended arena so straight lines have to be straighter for longer but that's all. its a rider scarer imo :p

[iloveshearer]

Yeah definately a rider scarer lol, whenever i see that a test is a long arena test that's enough to put me off! I never used to mind on Shearer, he's fairly straight moving but Murphy wiggles! :p

[Sophie..*]

I like prelim 10...:D

[ks1lwh]

Hi,

If you want to have a crack a dressage and your canter's not quite established look for equestrian centre's that are doing walk and trot tests, BD have actually bought out an Intro Test A 2008 designed for people just starting out in dressage or those who want to have a go. All the moves are straight forward and are only carried out in walk and trot, the test is also slightly shorter than a normal test so it's a great place to start. Some organised events devise their own tests which are just as good.

I recommend these tests to anyone who wants to have a go at dressage as the judges do tend to be encouraging and take into account that these are beginners tests so tend to mark a little more leanient! I myself started out with these tests about 10 years ago and worked my way up the levels.

:)

[LindaAd]

clashes with my other class & prelim 12 is combined training (i'm waaay too self-conscious to train front of loads of people! lol),
xx

Combined training is nothing to do with training, RokX - it means dressage and showjumping in the same competition.

Maybe you should go along as a spectator first, just to see how these things work ...

[Rokx]

Hi,

If you want to have a crack a dressage and your canter's not quite established look for equestrian centre's that are doing walk and trot tests
yeah i would have preferred a walk & trot test! trouble is I dont have a box so have to find other people who want to go too! good idea though, I'll have a look round the area :)

Combined training is nothing to do with training, RokX - it means dressage and showjumping in the same competition.

Maybe you should go along as a spectator first, just to see how these things work ...
oh right, that makes more sense! in which case, i definitely dont want to do that one!
i'm not a complete idiot though, just havent studied the schedules before as i'm not particularly into dressage ;)