prelim 4 and shirt question! Help!

[mu0ljk]

Hi!

I wonder if anyone can help. I have just been talked into doing a dressage test on Saturday. Its my first ever one and apparently its prelim 4. I won't be seeing anyone till Wednesday and I would really like to get an idea of what the test is before then so I feel just a little bit prepared!

Also, can anyone tell me what I need shirt-wise. I know you can get the stiff collars with some - do you still need a stock/tie with it or not? (I apologise for what is probably a really dumb question!)

Thanking you all in advance!!

[augermoon]

Hi there,

Prelim 4 is fairly basic so you shouldn't have too many worries. It consists of a couple of 20m circles in trot, changing the rein down the centre line. The canter is 2 x 20m circles around the centre and the walk is 2 x half 10m circles through X and free walk on a long rein down the long diagonal. Hope that gives you enough of an idea to go on - the tests are copyrighted so can't really write too much on here but if you practise those movements, you should be fine.

As for the shirt, it is probably better to wear stock or a tie. A normal white shirt with tie is fine or if you fancy a stock, you'll need the standup collared one.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[mu0ljk]

Oh thanks Augermoon! That doesn't sound too bad! I will have a go at those movements tomorrow. The worst bit will be the walk I imagine - my horse Sid is rather lazy in walk!! And doing actual cirlces too I guess opposed to ovals or squashed tomatoes!!

Thanks again! Will let you know how it goes on Sat! :o

[Bessy]

Hi

I'm new here so not sure what the deal is with personal contact but I have Prelim 4 on my computer if you want a copy.

I came fourth in my last prelim 4 test. It is pretty straight forward but I got too comfortable and relaxed at one point and we trotted before our marker - accuracy is the key even at this level.

[DITZ]

for copyright you are not allowed to copy tests but you can buy them online from www.dressagediagrams.co.uk

[kayjayhorses]

I wear a stand up collar and stock, my reason for this is sometimes if its very hot they let you do your test without your jacket on and you can ride with just the stand up collar shirt, no stock and no tie.

If you have a shirt and tie, and the weather is real hot you may want to ride without your jacket on, your tie will be flapping all over the show unless you clip it down.

[Bessy]

opps, sorry guys forgot about the copyright!! Had it emailed to me by a friend sometime ago when I desperately needed a copy - I'll remember to delete it and not forward it on. Have bought tests direct from the BD - they are very cheap.

[mu0ljk]

Thanks people! I managed to catch someone at the yard, so I have seen it and had a go. As I predicted it will be the walking that will catch us out on my lazy boy!

And not too keen on the short trot at the end (down centre line, trot at D and halt, at G.

Ah well 3 days to sort out!!

Thanks for the advice! Will let you know how it goes.

:D

[mu0ljk]

Well, I got a shirt and stock (with a nappy saftey pin to fasten it - I know classy!!)

And...I did it!!

Sid was really well behaved and was a perfect gentleman for me! We sauntered around the collecting ring until I felt brave enough to trot and canter whereupon I promptly dropped my whip - well better in there than in the middle of the test!!!

The test went well we got 62.73% and we got mostly 6's and 7's with two 5's. I got a five for our medium walk because i over - compensated so we ended up jogging - but hey!! Oh and i did it from memory!

I made one silly mistake - I was on the wrong diagonal in trot when i tracked right at the beginning. As I was trotting around the arena before the whistle went I was thinking ok...what diagonal - and my mind imediatley shut down and i chose the wrong one! :rolleyes:

I was 1 mark off of 4th place so i was dead chuffed especially as it was my 1st dressage test!!

Hopefully there shoold be 2 photos attatched - one before I got on and one during the test.

Thanks again people!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b285/mu0ljk/HPIM0747.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b285/mu0ljk/mesiddressage25605.jpg

[augermoon]

Fantastic result. Well done both of you and you look great in the pics. Did you get 5th or did they not place that far down? Shame if they didn't :( . And your percentage was fab too - first time out, I got 45%!!!!

[mu0ljk]

Augermoon, no they didn't place down to 5th :( but can't complain!! Hehe!

I have had Sidney for 5 months now and this is what he looked like when i tried him - he was in a sorry state. Its sad cos he's so loving.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b285/mu0ljk/sidtryout.jpg

[augermoon]

WOW what a change. He's a credit to you and has obviously landed on his feet now he's found you. Shame they didn't place to 5th as its always nice to get a rosette but you did fantastically anyway.

Well done XXXX

[Bay Mare]

Well done on the test but even more well done on the change on him, he looks absolutely stunning :D