what level would my horse be

[...rides again]

I just sent my ottb off for dressage training. up until now i have only done local plesure and equitation shows, but plan to get into eventing. I had him walk trot cantering, some extension and collection, he could back, turn on the forehand and haunches, simple lead changes and working on flying changes, started him on shoulder in. I think thats all I may have forgotten something though. I just want to know what is required of each level and how the levels work. are there sub-divisions within the levels?

[Bay Mare]

Hi :)

Which country are you in?

In the UK there are the British Dressage tests and CRC tests. BD are the easiest ones to find venues for.

In the UK the tests start at Prelim level which have a number of different 'tests' within the Prelim structure. These are basically walk, trot & canter tests in straight lines and circles. No lateral work at this level though one of the tests does have 'give and retake' the reins at trot I found out recently :)

Some places also run walk & trot tests to encourage people just starting out to try a test but you're probably above those anyway.

Whichever country you're in and whatever test system you do you're probably better off starting a the lower levels anyway just to get into the habit of learning tests and stringing things together. I can do far more of the elements in isolation than I can when I have to put them together for a couple of minutes at certain points in the school :)

[Colonel]

Hi :)

No lateral work at this level though one of the tests does have 'give and retake' the reins at trot I found out recently :)

:)

As I am doing on Sunday!:eek: Can you explain this to me?

Does it mean Medium trot and release your reins, as in let them go completely, or just to loosen them and retake them after a stride or two?

Also, I am always getting confused with the diagonal. Do you sit on the outside fore landing or the inside fore landing?:o

[eventerbabe]

there was a very recent thread on the give and retake. basically, it's to look at your horses self carriage. you push your hands forward and down sightly and then retake thecontact. this is to be 1 fluid movement and is usually performed over 3 strides.
http://www.newrider.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=83489

diagonals, it's outside fore landing when you sit.

[Colonel]

Thanks eventerbabe, you always end up helping me out and saying it in "laymans terms". (for an idiot like myself!):o

Both topics covered, cheers. Much happier about the G&R. I would never have known about the three strides otherwise:)

[eventerbabe]

best of luck with it! P.S. i only know what it's all about coz i wrote for the N38 test (i think! twas a long time ago) which has a give and retake and the judge explained to me exactly what she was looking for :)

rides again, it's always best to start at the bottom and work up, so start with the basic tests and then you can start progressing.

[Jaimee]

Hi,

It really depends how well your horse does these movements. I would say it sounds like you can start him at novice level. But if you have covered your training well and he has good rythym is strong, supple and attentive, you will find you can move to elementary after a few tests. Let the horse tell you what he is ready for. Remember there are also very small circles and balance can be a downfall once you start working in competition rings.

Most of all give it a go and see where the competition puts your level of training at.

[Lgd]

I generally aim to working one or two levels higher at home than the level at which I am competing. For example Tavia (one of mine) is competing Medium and Advanced medium (L3 & L3 with changes) but is working comfortably at PSG and has the basics of all the GP work.

I would guess you are in the USA as the term OTTB is more used there.

This means that he is working at Level 1 with a few bits of level 2. Changes don't come in until level 3 but quite a lot of TBs find them incredibly easy and can do them way before the rest of their schooling catches up.

Going by that the best would be to do a few Training level tests to see how he does. Some OTTBs will really light up in a show situation, so starting at a level that is easy for him will help if he does. Once he is scoring around mid-60's on a regular basis it will be worth looking at moving up to level 1.