Mendocino Chapter of the California Dressage Society

Dressage Test riding Tips

What tack can you use?
for lower levels: Dressage or All purpose English saddle. White or black or 'modest' color square saddle pad. The rule of thumb I learned was light colored horse black pad, dark colored horse white pad. English bridle, bridle must have a bit and a throat latch and a noseband. Nose band can be a plain, dropped, figure eight or Flash noseband. browband can be Straight or V or have bling.

Bits must be all of one metal and can be a boucher, eggbutt, or loose ring, a french link or center link piece is allowed, but not a roller.

No horse boots or wraps are allowed in the show ring but may be used for warm up.

What do you wear?
black and white are traditional.
For lower levels Rider should be in a dark colored riding jacket, ( navy, black or dark brown) and light colored breeches( tan, grey, or white)
For FEI Levels its mandatory that a rider be in a Top hat and Tail Coat.

Rider should have a stock tie. a white or off white colored long or mid sleeve riding shirt( if the day is very hot you will sometimes be allowed to ride without you jacket, in this case mid sleeve or long sleeve is preferred.)

Rider must have tall english boots, half chaps are not allowed.

Rider can be in a safety helmet at anytime, but you are allowed to ride in a hunt cap (no harness)from training to 3rd level, and at 1st/2nd level a bowler hat or once you get to 3rd/4th level a top hat.
Rider should always wear white gloves, not black.

Riders hair if a women's thats longer should be neatly pinned into a bun at the nape of the neck and covered with a hair net to keep it in place.
Lower level riding gear, FEI riding gear

Braiding
IF the show is a schooling show you are not required to braid, however it always presents a good impression to have your horses braided no matter what.
tail should be cut straight across the bottom, to do this carefully lift the top of the tail to a level where the horse carries it when they are moving, keep on arm under the top of the tail run your other hand down around the entire tail until you get to the bottom, hold it straight, remove your upper arm then trim straight across. it will look uneven as the horse is just standing there but once the tail lifts it will be straight, good rule it to trim the tail to level of the bottom of the fetlock joint.
if you are braiding, always do the forelock as well
if your horse is dark colored, you should use some white first aid tape and place it around the braids this give the judges a better view of the flexibility of your horses neck.

below are two sites on mane braiding:
CLICK HERE
and CLICK HERE

Arena Letters
For lower level tests, a dressage arena has eight letters as shown: A, K, E, H, C, M, B, and F. It's easy to remember them. Just say "All King Edward's Horses Can Make Big Fences." You'll be asked to do different movements at each letter. X is right in the middle of the arena, between E and B. X is where you normally begin and end a test.

for upper level there are also more inviable letters on the centerline, and additional letters along the wall V, S, R, P, and on the centerline G, I, L, D



The Arena,
is a long rectangle the arena is divided by invisible lines lengthwise. We have the 'Center line' which goes straight down from C to A and where the invisible X can be found in the middle. Then between the Center line and the track or wall on both sides is the Quarter line, there are no invisible letter on the quarter line, but you need them in your memory tool box as they will give you the sizes for your circles.

Circles:
20 meter circle leaves from the track or wall, touches the track or wall on the opposite side then returns to the track where you started.

A 15 meter circle leaves w from the track or wall touches on the far quarter line then returns to the track where you started.

A 10 meter circle leaves from the track or wall touches on the Centerlines then returns to the track or wall where you started.

A 5 meter circle or Volt (not pictured) leaves from the track or wall touches on the near quarter line and returns to the track where you started.



Halt and salute
you will have to go straight down the centerline and halt at X-Most tests ask you to halt from the trot, so think about sitting deep in the saddle, squeezing on the reins and asking your horse to come to a complete stop. He should stand squarely-all four legs underneath so he gets a good mark for the halt. If one leg is more forward than the other one, ask him to move forward until he stands squarely. Don't back up. You'll lose marks if you don't salute. Put both of your reins in your left hand and then drop your right hand down by your side, node you head down then bring your head back up first and you hand back second. Your horse should stand still while you salute. Wait until the Judges returns your salute before to continue.
if you are a man, ( and not in a helmet with a safety harness) it is traditional that you remove you hat for the salute. Do the same as above except remove the hat lower it straight down, tip your head to the judges, wait for the return salute, then place you hat firmly back on your head, gather your reins and continue on.

Accuracy
If a test asks you to begin cantering at C, you must begin cantering at C prepare for the movement a few strides ahead. , begin sitting the trot a few strides away and gently move your legs into the position to ask for canter. Then you'll be ready to begin cantering the second your horses shoulders at level with C.

The Test
Memorize the test. Walk the test on your own two feet, ride the test on your horse often, draw a diagram and trace it with your finger. Usually if you get nervous the first thing that get forgotten is the test, so Arrange for someone to read for you. There is nothing wrong with that, however having a reader does not mean your test should not also be memorized. You can have a reader in any dressage show with the exception of championship classes. The reader cannot comment on anything other then what they are reading, and the reader may not repeat. The reader should give you one movement ahead of what you are currently on. And the reader should also be familiar with the test and the movements therein. Starting your test you are not allowed to enter the arena prior to your test however in most cases you are allowed to go around the outside of the ring. When riding around the arena, stay on the rein that you will follow once you enter. For example, if the test asks you to turn right at A, maintain the right rein until the judge signals your entrance ( usually by ringing a bell). This will keep the horse thinking 'right' and will make him less likely to wander off the centreline. You are allowed to ride around the outside/inside of the arena for a short while before you begin your test. The judge will sound a horn or ring a bell to tell you to start and you have up to 45 seconds to enter the main arena, once you do your test has Started.

Rhythm
Try to maintain a consistent rhythm in each gait. Think metronome in your head and always try to quickly get back to the gait you started with, speeding up and slowing down within the gaits will get you a bad score.

Lengthened strides
When lengthened strides are required, extend your horse's strides and don't rush them. A slow and well-balanced pace is better than a rushed extension.

Long rein
When the test says 'walk on a long rein' do not drop your contact completely. It 's not a 'walk on a loose rein'. Keep a contact and encourage your horse to stretch down with the nose.

Mistakes
Smile and keep riding, OFF COURSE If you go off course the judge will ring a bell so that you will be aware. And will usually call out where you made the wrong turn quickly go bad to the movement then continue on with your test. If you horse is unruly or to many off courses are made you may be asked to leave the arena. Rider Horse ERROR, if for example you ask for a canter at C and your horse does not canter off, dot wildly run into a canter quickly regroup s low you horse down back and ask for the canter depart again no matter where you now are in the arena. Showing thoughtful horsemanship through a good correction will always be better than just 'going for it'