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Tips for a good dressage score?

19K views 69 replies 17 participants last post by  StormyBlues 
#1 ·
My first show EVER is this weekend...it's an eventing mini trial. Now, the jumping portions are pretty clear cut, but the dressage is what I'm getting nervous about!

My trainer tells me to just relax, that I'll do fine, but I'm such a perfectionist I of course have to obsess over this and get as much advice as humanly possible lol!! :lol:

Soooo what tips do you have for me on how to get a good score on my dressage test?? (for those interested in the test, it's Intro Test A)

THANKS!!
 
#2 ·
RELAX! is the first one. haha. If you aren't relaxed, Sandie has no chance of being relaxed!

Use your corners, they look for that.

Going down center line straight is also pretty important, as well has having at least a fairly square halt. You know how to do the salute right? Just checking because one of the girls I know went down to X and did a military style salute! haha.

I also find that when you are done with the test and after you salute, letting the reins loose, patting your horse, smiling, and telling your judge "thank you" helps you win some brownie points!

Make sure your trot is rhythmic and balanced and that her head carriage stays fairly consistent. But since you are in an intro division, they will be fairly leanient (sp?) on you because the expect horse and/or rider to be green. They will be pretty impressed if you can be rhythmic and balanced at the intro level.

Make sure to listen for the whistle/bell/horn that they will be using to cue you into the arena. You have 60 seconds to get in the arena. But that's more time than you think! you can afford to go around the arena once if you are in a spot where it's not convenient to turn around.

I'm sure there are things that I am missing... but that's what I can think of for now.

GOOD LUCK!!!! I'm so excited to hear how you do!
 
#3 ·
Thank you eventerdrew!! :) I'm not sure why the dressage is making me so nervous! I have a horse who just started jumping 2 1/2 months ago...and so did I!! So you'd think of anything I'd be scared of the jumping! lol

Good tips :) And yes, my trainer has been eventing for a loooong time so he's taught me every little detail haha...including how to properly salute.

but still...I stress lol
 
#4 ·
Eventerdrew kinda covered it all! Relax, have fun!! I was so nervous about my dressage, but I had the best score in the class! :D Yes, when Blue and I finished our dressage, I let the reins lax, and huged her and was rubbing her neck so much, lol but I ment it! Rythem is a big key to a good round, and smooth transitions. Also, make sure your bit meets the requirements, cause it would be horrible to have the wrong bit! Good luck!
 
#5 ·
Good advice so far, but just TRY. I realized one day that I barely even tried in dressage.. and I tried and was in 1st place! Some people go into a dressage ring, nervous, and just try to ride through it instead of take their time. It's not scary, it's sort of fun trying to look your best and making your horse look his best!
 
#9 ·
Thanks everyone!! :) I just got my ride times for Sunday and I am PSYCHED!!! And it appears that there are only 5 others in my class (Intro Rider)...so does that mean everyone is pretty much guaranteed a ribbon of some color? ;-)

I really want one, I just want to hang it on Sandie's stall to show everyone how proud of her I am...I don't even care what color it is!!! lol
 
#12 ·
And it appears that there are only 5 others in my class (Intro Rider)...so does that mean everyone is pretty much guaranteed a ribbon of some color? ;-)

Actually not always. Depends on the show. There are ways of not getting a ribbon even with 2 horses in the class.:-(

I was waiting for someone to cover one of the most important things and it seems to have been missed.

At this level the judge has very little to judge on (as opposed to multiple movements) so two things are of great importance.

First BE ACCURATE. Accuracy means you ride letter to letter and the letter STARTS when the horse's shoulder passes through the designated letter. So riding a diagonal where the horse haunch or tail passes the opposite letter is an inaccurate test.

Second ride forward first then worry if the head is in a decent position second (as long as the head is not stuck in the air and back hollowed) and you will be fine.
 
#13 ·
haha, yup! At Valhalla, most of the horse's ribbons were on their stalls and they were covered in dirt! :P yuck. But they were grand prix and high level eventers! I really liked everyone there, and hope to go back and train with them sometime!
 
#19 ·
oh ok, thanks Spyder! According to others at my barn who have gone to some of the shows in this particular series, since this is a schooling show they pretty much always give out ribbons, I think just to encourage all of the students :) So here's to hoping we place in one of them!!! (oh yeah, and first and foremost, that we SURVIVE our first show together!) lol
 
#20 ·
Good luck tomorrow!
I wish I were there to take the baby I was riding & meet you! I am out of town though.

I'm pretty positive you'll get a ribbon. They always give out ribbons there. Pretty much at all of the Northeast Ohio Mini Trails they give out ribbons.
:)
 
#24 ·
LOL yes staying on is a great tip! ;-) Although I'm not so nervous about that for dressage....now, CROSS COUNTRY on the other hand (and stadium for that matter)...another story! Sandie likes to do a slight pause just before she jumps some jumps in xc, which results in this (LOL):

 
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