I'm confused - What does this mean?

I've been riding since I was 8 years old. But I've only just started dressage lessons (about 2-3 months ago, once a week). I probably should have started dressage sooner, but I never found the need to do it.

Anyway, I'm doing a 2 day course, and tomorrow is the second day. We do a dressage test. Junior Riding Test M 2001. Its my first test and I'm really confused. I understand it up until No.4, where it says "Circle right between C and XC". After that Im lost on where to go. I understand some of the commands but I'm not all that sure how to actually execute them. Can someone please explain it in a non-confusing way? Even better, is there a video somewhere?

Link to the test:
http://www.mangereponyclub.co.nz/use...11%20tests.pdf

I have no idea and have only done two dressage tests, but it looks like at C you start your 20 meter circle, then when you get on the long side of the arena you pick up your canter..... it says between "X & C" so I would assume you pick up your canter between around E and H (not M and B). Then you canter to between B and F where you then trot.

Again, I have NO idea if that's right, but if I was reading the test and had no assistance, that's how I'd probably ride it.

Does that make sense though?

This is an easy one :)

Ok, so you ride a 20m circle at C. As you get to X (centre of the arena) prepare to canter, and before you get back to C, you need to be cantering.

From C, ride around the corner, down the long side, and between B (middle marker) and F, come back to trot.

Ride across the diagonal in trot, and as you get to X, come back to walk while continuing along the diagonal line.

Does that help you get back on track?
Have you got a print out of a 40x20m arena that you can refer to? When I started out in Dressage, I used to mark my test out on an arena map. Blue for walk, red for trot and green for canter. It will help give you a visual of where to go.

Good luck with your test!!

If tests all had double meanings, I'd never get through one!!!
You ride a test EXACTLY as it says. So if it says between X and C while you're on a 20m circle in a 20x40m arena, then you will canter literally between X and C. If it wanted you to pick up canter on the long side, it would be '20m circle at C. Canter at M.'

Gotcha!
My first test was in 2005 (US Federation 2002 Novice Test C) and my second (and last) was at the end of 2011 (US Federation 2010 Beg. Novice Test A), so I am only used to "Between K and A- working canter left lead..... A Circle left 20 meters working canter". Pretty easily spelt out. Haha!

Wait, it turns out I'm a complete moron. Ok, so this is what I think the test means.

Enter at a trot (go from A to C) and then go left. Go around the arena until you are at F, then go past X and to H (FXH). Trot to C and and do a full circle (between C and X). Then keep going along that circle and to M, straight down the edge of the arena to B. Canter before you get to F, and ride to K. Once at K, trot to X and walk at X. Walk to M and then to H. Trot at H and..... ok, I've gotten this completely wrong.

Would anyone like to explain (in stupid language like I showed above, so I can understand)? Pleeeease. I'd really rather not make a fool of myself in front of 20+ people.

Ok wrong wrong wrong ;)

Like I said above, a test is exactly as it says. If it says change rein on the FXH line, then you do just that. You have to TOUCH the letters. F is in one corner, X is the centre marker in the middle of the arena, and H is in the opposite (diagonal) corner to F. So you ride across the DIAGONAL line.

Ride down the centre line, track left, and as soon as you hit F, ride across the diagonal to H.

That will put you on the right rein, so you ride from H, into the corner, to C.

Ride half a circle in trot (C to X) then pick up canter. Continue the circle from X to C, ride into the corner and down the long side. Between B and F, ride a downwards transition to trot.

I'm not sure that this can get any more basic than what it is already.
Stop overthinking it, look at a 20x40m arena diagram, and track your test EXACTLY as it says. As I said above, you have to touch each letter it mentions, ride the transitions as the test says, where the test says, and you will be sweet.

Okay, this should be the entire test in "simple" form. Please have Kayty review it before studying it!

I always do what Kayty recommended in printing out a diagram of the arena with the letters, then go over it over and over, until you can use your finger to draw out the test and know in your head what you do and where you do it.

#1-At A, enter at a trot
#2-At C, turn ("track") to the left
#3-At F, turn across the diagonal so you "touch" F, ride OVER X, and touch H (that makes FXH) *"change rein" means change direction
#4-At C, start your 20 meter circle, when you get to X (center of arena) prepare to canter, before you get back to C you need to be cantering. Then, from C, ride around the corner, down the long side
#5-Between B and F, go back to a trot
#6-At K, turn across the diagonal so you "touch" K, ride OVER X, and touch M (that makes KXM)-- BUT, when you get to X go back down to a walk then continue to M
#7-At H, pick up the trot again
#8- At A, start your 20 meter circle, when you get to X (center of arena) prepare to canter, before you get back to A you need to be cantering. Then, ride from A, ride around the corner, down the long side
#9- Between B and M, go back to a trot, then go across the diagonal again touching H, riding OVER X, and touching F (that makes HXF)
#10- At A, turn down center line (head straight down the middle towards C), but at X, halt and salute

How did it go?

I recently started dressage lessons, and OP's question prompted my own question. What does it mean when they say change rein?