Tips On Remembering Your Dressage Tests

I have a event coming up so I was wondering if people have tips on memorizing their tests? Yes, I have memorized tests before, but it takes me a while to memorize them and I don't have long for this show. Thanks!

Funny, I'm memorizing mine for next weekend right now! I draw it out on Paint first of all, with different colors for different gaits. Then I press the back button until it's blank, and the "redo" button so I can watch the test drawn out several times again. I keep drawing it out until I can remember it all.

Last week I memorized my entire test over breakfast just by drawing it out on a stack of napkins. We were at camp and they switched up the groups because of the weather, so I had to have a test memorized to ride for my ride-a-test lesson.

When you have it down, close your eyes and imagine riding through it, in the arena you'll be in, if possible. Think about where your trouble spots will be, where your horse will try bulging to the gate, where he'll have trouble picking up a canter lead, and figure out ahead of time where you're going to have to be stronger with your aids.

All this week and next, I'll be riding my test in my head to get it down pat 100%.

Good luck!

P.S.--If you have an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, there's a usea or usdf app that shows you your test in a drawing movement-by-movement format that's helpful.

Oh my gosh, thanks SO much. This was super helpful and I never thought of the Paint idea! I guess it also helps that we have set up a dressage arena in a field for the summer!!! :)

You'll probably want to do this in the privacy of your home and it need not be to size...Go through the test using your orwn walk/fast walk/jog to mimic the horse's gaits.