Dressage Test - HELP! Before Friday!

[czar]

Hello! I would like to know a few things that I don't understand on my dresage test! Please help!!

To start with, how do you salute?! That sounds a bit weird doesn't it?!

Next, what does "HEKA" mean before "working trot" (is it something to do with the markers?) like this:
"HEKA Working trot"

Also, what does AFB and MCHKA and HCMFA HCMF mean?

Then, what does "immobility 6 seconds" mean? What does "immobility" on its own mean?

What does track left mean?

What are these confusing things at the end of the test that say:

"Paces and way of going of pony"
"Use of the arena and accuracy"
"Rider's influence and balance"

Are they just what you also get marked on?

Have you got any tips for learning the test?! By FRIDAY?!

Thanks,

CZAR
XxxX

[Wally]

Hi,
If you look at a picture of an arena you will see that there are letters all round. K E H M B F along the sides A is at one end C is at the other X is the centre. There are others but I expect this is a pony club test so you're just using the small arena.

If it says "KEH working trot" all it means is that you start trotting at K and finish at H having passed E. It's just telling you which markers you have to pass and where you have to start each exercise. Follow it with you finger you'll soon get the hang of it.

Immobility just means standing still. A good square halt with no fidgiting. Just stand still and count to 6 slowly. Never rush, it will seem like forever.

Track left is just turn left same as track right is turn right.

Paces and way of going simply means was the walk active, regular and relaxed. Was a trot a working trot with a good regular rythm or was the horses shuffling along with no tracking up. Is he accepting the bit and working in a rounded form, or evading the bit with his head in the air. Is the canter on the correct lead and not disunited.

Use of arena and accuracy. Did you accuratly go past the markers required in the test. When it says 20 metre circle did you use the track and pass through X at the centre if that was what was asked for, or was the horse cutting corners and not making a circle the correct shape.

Rider's influence and balance. Was the rider helping or hindering the horse. Judges are looking for a rider in harmony and sympathetic to the horse. They want to see the rider sets the horse up for each exercise not just drag him round the arena.

To salute all you have to do is put both reins into left hand, drop your right arm down by your side with the palm facing forward, hold for a count of 2 while lowering you chin to look down.

Now for the silly bit. make your room into an arena or go out to the field or garden, write the letters on bits of paper and borrow a hobby horse and do the test on foot until you are happy you know it. This is what we do we get odd looks but you will learn it quickly.
All the best let us know how you get on.

[czar]

I did a different test - and I came first of about 10!!! Thanks for your help!!

Luv from