COMPETITION HINTS

Learning the various dressage movements can be satisfying in itself, but performing them well in public is very different from doing them at home.
Competition is where you face the toughest of conditions under extreme pressure for both you and your horse.

General hints

• Compete at the level below that which you are currently schooling.
• Know your tests at least two weeks before the event, and riide them often. Don’t depend on having someone read it out for you at the competition, it shows lack of preparation.
• If your horse is young and inexperienced, take him to a few shows just to walk around and get used to the atmosphere.
• Wash your horse two days before the competition.
• Don't try and learn anything new in the week before the comnpetition.
• The day before the competition should be for hitching the float to the car, preparing your clothes and gear, packing up, plaiting, etc. If you ride, don't do an intense workout, just take it easy.
• Plan to arrive at the venue at least two hours before your test. Check out where the arena is, where the warmup area is, where the gearcheck is.
• Aim to have a longer warmup than at home. Ensure that everything is prepared so that this can happen — rushing into a shortened warmup will only reduce your chances of doing a good test.

Many people say that you should not repeat the test during practice since your horse may begin to anticipate the movements. However, because dressage is concerned with controlling the horse, it is the rider’s job to do this, whether the horse anticipates or not. Riders should ride their test multiple times before competing. If anticipation is an issue, then practise two tests alternately, and also do the individual movements by themselves — mix it up, but do the test often. In this way you will be confident on the day, which allows you to think of other things such as lightness and the quality of the movements.

Easy Marks

There are some test elements that are easy to score well – they only require practice, not any particular education on the part of either the rider or the horse. For example, going straight down the centre line; halting exactly at the marker; transitions at the correct places; circles that are circular, and straight lines that are straight.
The walk is worth double marks in most levels, so this is worth practising a lot.

Performing the test

• First go to the judge’s car and introduce yourself.
• When going down the centerline ride with more impulsion than usual – this helps to keep your horse straight. An impressive entry can help gain higher marks.
• Be accurate. Perform your movements exactly at the letter. Keep circles as circles and not as squares or ovals.
• Prepare well for your next movement — half halt to balance the horse before each transition.
• Make a clear difference between riding arcs of circles and the corners. Ride the corners as deep as you can.
• If you completely mess up a movement, don’t fret — everyone does it, and you will only lose marks for that movement.

Presentation of the horse

Dressage horses should have their manes and tails plaited, with their coats clean and shiny.
It isn’t necessary to blacken the hooves or to put makeup on their face.
All leather gear should be oiled and supple.
The bit should be clean and fit properly.

Presentation of the rider

Dark riding jacket
Light coloured jodhpurs
Long boots or leather gaiters (Junior riders may wear short boots)
Gloves
Safety helmet

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