IMPROVING YOUR DRESSAGE TEST FROM A JUDGE’S PERSPECTIVE

by Caroline Coleby

Although we often feel that a talented horse and rider combination has a mortgage on the scores in a test, there are many areas where a rider can improve marks without a great financial outlay. As all marks are out of ten an improvement of one mark per movement throughout the test can result in a gain of 10% in your final score. This is a very feasible goal and indeed is a lot healthier than deciding you want to win a certain competition where you may have no idea of the quality of the other entrants.

Nothing is more important when it comes to your mental game than starting the competition in an organised state of mind. An effective pre competition routine, which pops you into a confident and composed mindset, helps athletes win every day. However, winning is not everything. In the early years of training avoid disappointment by having a realistic goal. This may be a certain percentage or being able to achieve all movements at the correct places with the horse staying in a correct rhythm and frame. Remember the judge assesses your performance on the day – they don’t compare from week to week like you are able to.

Before entering a competition make sure you are able to work satisfactorily at a level above that which you are going to enter. If you are struggling to get correct leads at home they won’t miraculously get better at a comp. Baby horses maybe overawed by the excitement and you must allow for this. A neckstrap can be a great stand by and is allowed in tests. Allow plenty of time for preparation at shows with youngsters. The outcome of a test depends on your training and preparation.

Make sure you acquire a rule book and read it so that you know what equipment is allowed or not for each level. Make sure you are aware of rules. For example, you may not work in a competition area as this will entail elimination. You also need to have a number on both sides of your horse and be gear checked before your test.

Your presentation is the first impression you make on the judge, so grooming and turn out are important. You and your horse should be comfortable, clean and neat with correctly fitting gear. Use all gear at home to make sure you are both comfortable with it and that it fits. Boots should be shiny and wear pale gloves. Swinging pony tails are very distracting. Tie your hair up in a bun or place under your hat and use hairspray/nets to keep all flyaway hair neat and tidy. For that matter unplaited forelocks are similarly distracting.

Most professional events provide a gear checker/marshal so you will be able to work out your time and who you should be following. It is important to check the start list and times for scratchings as your times may have been changed. You can be required to ride earlier than your designated time in the event of scratchings.

Watch the combination ahead of you in the arena. When they have made their final salute you will be able to work around the outside of the arena. Try and go around the arena from both directions. Remember that once the bell/horn sounds you have 45 seconds in which to enter the arena at A.

From the judge’s view the centre line is the first opportunity to view the new competitor. A straight entry depends purely on preparation and training.

Enter from the right rein if the turn at C is to the right. Maintain right flexion into the halt at X and move off. Make sure your horse is very responsive to forward signals as many marks are lost between X and C because the horse needs to be moving forward in a good rhythm. At Preliminary and Novice level all corners and turns are quarter of a 10 metre circle so effectively a turn from the centre line is half a 10 metre circle. Remember to use your half halts and maintain suppleness and the correct rhythm.

Maintaining your breathing is a help as well. When an exercise is specified at a marker it should be performed as your shoulder passes that point. This means you need to prepare two or three strides before that point so the movement can be smooth and flowing. As you ride each movement be preparing for the following task. If a mistake occurs make sure your correction is effective, e.g. if you have an incorrect lead return to trot, try again and avoid rushing the correction. Try to execute tasks as your shoulder passes the marker and follow the prescribed tracks. Judges prefer to see riders using appropriate preparation and corrections rather than the rider rushing from movement to movement.

Practice riding tests in training. If your horse is inclined to anticipate, change the sequence of movements and make sure you are honest with your training. Know your arena geometry. It is helpful to draw out arena figures on graph or squared paper so that you know exactly where you need to go. Discuss this with your coach as they will be able to correct any misunderstandings. Horses need to show suppleness and flexion throughout the test. Remember to bend them correctly for circles and corners and straighten again for the straight lines.

It is important to have strategies to deal with tension and anticipation rather than hoping it doesn’t occur. Similarly if your horse ‘dies’ in the ring you need to be able to cope. Horses often become lazy because the rider ‘over rides’. Again work on this in training.

Make use of a caller if it is permitted. You should know your test but sometimes it is helpful to have a reminder of your next movement. However you must know your test well enough so that you do not depend on the caller as they do make mistakes.

Remember that your final centre line is equally important as that is the last impression that the judge receives of you. Aim for a good punchy tempo to finish with a square halt. As you are leaving the judges are preparing to award the four collective marks at the end of the test, so try to leave them with a pleasant impression. Pat your horse after you salute, before you move off if possible, and leave the arena on a long rein allowing the horse to walk well. Avoid taking the horse out and trying to fix what went wrong, take your information home for further training.