Tips for Riding Your First Dressage Test

There are a lot of things to remember when you ride your first dressage test. However, the more you do it, the better you will get and the easier it will be.

Before the Dressage Show

Spend a lot of time studying your dressage test ahead of time so you have it memorized. You should practice it in your head and on foot, but do not practice the whole test too many times on your horse or he will learn it and start to anticipate the movements. It is better to practice only portions of it at a time.

At the Dressage Show

You will be assigned a ride time for your dressage test and you cannot be late, although you may be asked to ride early if the show is running ahead of schedule. Whether you do is up to you. It is a good idea to know the numbers of the riders ahead of you so you can keep track of how much time you have while you warm up.

You may not enter the area around the arena, which is usually marked off, until the rider before you has saluted at the end of their test. Be ready to enter the arena area as soon as she is finished. You may not enter the dressage court yet, but you can ride around the outside.

Go straight to the judge's stand so that your horse can see it, because they can sometimes look like a cave full of monsters to your horse. Give the scribe your number and which test you are riding.

The judge will probably be writing comments about the previous person's dressage test. If she looks up and greets you, smile and return the greeting, but don't strike up a conversation. Each of you has a job to do, and this is no time to chat. Continue on around the ring and make sure your horse is ready for your test. Your instructor may tell you ahead of time what you should work on, or you can practice transitions or movements from the test. Do not leave the arena area or enter the dressage court.

Riding your Dressage Test

When the judge is ready, she will ring a bell or blow a whistle. From that moment, you have 45 seconds to enter the ring and begin your dressage test. Do not rush-you can get most of the way around the ring in that time if you trot.

Before you enter, take a deep breath and think about the first movements of your test. Swing wide at the entrance so you can get a straight shot down the center line. If you turn the corner too tightly, you will probably not have a straight entrance and will not get a good score on that movement.

When you reach X, halt your horse and put both reins in the hand holding your whip. Drop the other hand straight down to your side and crisply nod your head in salute. Breathe deeply as you do this and take your time. Pause for a couple more seconds before you begin your test.

As you ride your dressage test, think about the upcoming movements as you go along so you do not get lost. Try to remember the most important things your instructor told you, but do not stress yourself out.

At the end of the dressage test, halt and salute again, and the judge will bow her head to you. Now you can relax! Loosen your reins and give your horse a pat and praise him for a job well done. Ride forward toward the judge's stand and thank her before riding out of the ring.