Tips for Riding a Dressage Test
Important Things to Know about Riding in Dressage Shows
Mar 28, 2009
Riding a dressage test for the first time can be intimidating. The rider is alone in the arena with a judge scrutinizing their every move, so it is important to do the best job possible. However, it gets easier with practice and preparation.
Preparing for a Dressage Test
It is important to memorize the dressage test ahead of time. The rider should practice it in her head and on foot, but should practice only portions of it at a time when riding so the horse does not learn it and begin to anticipate the movements.
Riders are assigned ride times and cannot be late or they will miss their dressage test. They are sometimes asked to ride early if the show is ahead of schedule, but this is not required. Each rider should know the bridle numbers of the riders ahead of her so she can keep track of how much time she has to warm up.
No one is to enter the area around the arena until the rider before her has completed her test. The next rider can then ride around the outside of the dressage court until signaled to enter.
Riders should go straight to the judge’s stand so their horse can see it and not be scared of it and to tell the scribe their number and which dressage test they are riding. They can then continue riding around the outside of the dressage court.
Riding a Dressage Test
The judge will ring a bell or blow a whistle when she is ready, and the rider then has 45 seconds to enter the dressage court and begin the test. A horse can easily trot most of the way around the arena in that time, so the rider should not panic or rush.
Before entering, the rider should take a deep breath and think about the first one or two movements of the dressage test. Swinging wide before entering the dressage court will allow the horse to make a good, straight entrance.
When the rider reaches X, she will halt her horse and transfer both reins to the hand holding her whip. She will then drop the other hand straight down to her side and crisply nod her head in salute. She should breathe deeply and take her time, not rushing to begin the test before she or her horse are ready.
As the rider moves through the test, she should always be thinking about the next movements so she can prepare herself and her horse for them. She should also try to ride as well as she knows how to make every movement count. Each movement is scored separately, so performing one poorly does not mean the whole test is a loss—she should just try to ride the rest of the test as well as possible.
At the end of the dressage test, the rider will halt and salute again, then exit the arena on a loose rein. On her way out, she should ride toward the judge’s stand and thank her, then ride out of the ring, giving her horse a pat and praising him for a job well done.
Riding a dressage test at a show is a good way for riders to show off their hard work. As long as they follow protocol, stay calm and prepare themselves and their horse well, they should have a pleasant experience.
