Prelim 14- Any Tips??

[heland]

Hi all,

My dressage test is at the end of this month Prelim 14.
Any tips as its only my second test. My last one was Prelim 18 about 3 weeks ago and nearly qualified.

For some reason 14 seems harder to remember!!!!

Any tips - greatly appreciated!!

:rolleyes:

[fionahogg]

Sorry, can't remember the test but some tips in general.

Practice your entry down the centre line. This is probably the easiest movement in the test so teach your horse to move in a dead straight line and practice hitting the centre line each time. Make sure you ride well into the corner on your turn after the entry especially if there are a whole 10marks just for this movemnt (there sometimes is!). Also practice your halt at the end - making sure he stays straight and doesn't swing his bum out or anything. Use the arena to your advantage and make use of the space you have. Ride well into the corners and concentrate on hitting hitting your markers. Ride as accurately as you can to give your horse as much chance as possible. Keep your head up and be thinking about the next movement before you've finished the one you're riding (hope that makes sense!). Know where your horse's weaknesses are and prepare for them so you can do your best to help him through them. Think tall and proud all the time. Keep your chest elevated and your head up, look like a dressage rider. Learn your test and know it inside out. Walk the test out in your arena (takes ages, is of use to some people, I personally can't be bothered!) or draw it out on a piece of paper. Get someone to test you until you know it. Especially make sure you can pick up half way through in case something goes wrong! Only ride the whole test through a couple of times. Pick out individual movements, practice them then start stringing a few of them together. It's important that you string the movements together because they may seem easy when you do them on their own but one after another you have to concentrate more on keeping the horse balanced and on his hocks.

Good luck, have fun, pat your horse at the end and smile at the judge!

Hope this helps

Fiona

[Jane.A]

The new A4 dressage tests that you can buy in a folder include all the new 2001 tests for Prelim and Novice and are laminated. They break the test down into the respective movements and each one is drawn on the sheet. They make it easier to remember I find. They are about £21 for the set so perhaps put them on your Xmas list!
I find walking my horse through the test helps. Plus I dont have problems with anticipation then. I learnt P16 that way last week. I used to be able to remember and ride three different tests and ride them all in one day but these days not a hope!:( :)
I too am competing at the weekend, but am really looking forward to it after a very positive lesson today. Good luck and check in after the weekend to let us know how you fared!

[Chloe1]

prelim 14 was my first dressage test and I was petrified of forgettin it as I didn't want a caller.
i know this test off by heart now. This was how I remembered some of the movements.

loops first then half circles then the canter bit.

Sounds strange but when you ride it it makes sense.

Good luck.

[heland]

Thanks all for some great tips!!!!!!:D

I bought the laminated sheets about 2 weeks ago, they are a great help but unfortunately I still have to rely on my terrible memory.

I took my horse out on Thursday to practise the test all the way through but it was a disaster. She has recently been clipped and Thursday was very cold and breezy. She was so fizzy and spooking at everything, it was more like rodeo riding. This also made me forget what move was next.

My horse is normally so laid back, but have recently discovered that in very cold weather she is soooooooooo fizzy.

I will try the test again tonight and cross my fingers the weather is mild on Saturday for the competition:D :D

Thanks again all and Good Luck Jane

Will keep you all posted :rolleyes: :D

[Lancashire Lass]

did you get me email earlier this week? How is your horse, any more news?

L/Lass

[heland]

Lancashire Lass

Yes I did receive your email:) Thank you so much.

I am going to the yard now to do my mucking out duty and when I get back I will send you an update.

I thought I'd nip on the computer to see if there were any messages and found myself on newrider again:D :D

email you later
heland

[heland]

I thought I'd keep everyone posted:) :)


My dressage test was today:D prelim 14:rolleyes:

As this was my second time I was a little more calm and when I was trottong away from the judges I was taking deep breaths, as I forgot to breathe on my last test.

It all seemed to go fine until I walked the free rein bit and my horse just totally relaxed. When we went back to trot she started dropping and shaking her head and snorting:D :D

Yes we have head tossing written on sheet:mad: :mad:

Never mind I enjoyed every minute and my marks...........................121 52.61:)

[Jane.A]

Hi All
We too did Prelim 14 today at Brackenhurst, was advertised as being Prelim 12 but hey whats a little confusion when you're already stressed about competing!!lol:D
Still she went really well, we got 146, which was 63.5% and came 5th out of 32. It was the first test and I was So thrilled with the way she went I just toally chilled and just forgot to ride for the second test. She had switched off and chucked her teddies out of the pram, wanting to do the whole test at turbo speed. So we dropped to 54.2%, which was about halfway. Still I have to hold my hand up and say it was totally pilot error. Its not over till its over and I will not get carried away by one good test next time. The second test is usually her best.
We then had the I'm not loading to go home argument. But we just obeyed the Monty principles and eventually she went in. Its all positive stuff really, as she would not trailer at all when she came and would only go in a wagon. All in all I'm thrilled. I also learnt that I won the grade 4 RDA video competition this week. The nationals were cancelled due to foot and mouth so you were asked to ride your test and video it. Great happiness all round.:D

[heland]

Well done Jane:)

What a weekend....... and to get those marks!!!!

I think you need to give me some tips:D :D

[Jane.A]

I think the tip is 'steady up' and the Carpenters! We recently started my mare on steady up, she is calm at home but stresses at competitions and it really seems to have helped. (Perhaps I should take it!!:) ) The Carpenters is as a result of trying to sort out suitable music for a dressage to music competition in the spring and we settled on a Carpenters theme, so as I rode my test I was singing 'Sweet,sweet smile,(trot) rainy days and Mondays(walk) and Jambolaye(Canter) and I found it really helped me to relax.