Rev Up Your Dressage Scores

Tammy Fifer

Copyright©2010

INTRODUCTION

Riding a “test”, is often the most stressful, anxious and nerve-wracking time you experience in dressage.

You are out there, alone with your horse, in front of an audience and a “judge”.

Your nerves are raw and forgetting the test is at the top of the worry list. (If you have someone calling for you, you may be worrying she’ll call the test incorrectly, or that you won’t hear her.)

You may feel as if you’re in the arena for years, or that time passes so quickly that it is over before it has begun.

Now here is the advice that is usually easier said than done. (This course is going to make the “doing” a whole lot easier and better).

Don’t worry, slow down, breath. You must relax so your horse can relax, and help you through all this. After all, you are not alone. Everyone who has shown dressage has been in the same “mental state” at one time or another. And you are undoubtedly going to be riding another test in the future.

The first thing to let your mind absorb: you get as many chances to improve as you need. Now there, don’t you feel more relaxed already?

This course has some great arena strategies and insights revealed by judges and top riders. You’re going to get some sound advice and helpful hints on how to “rev-up your dressage scores.”

Believe it or not, judges really are on your side.

I once scribed for Hilda Gurney and she told me that the ultimate feeling a judge wants to have is the urge to get on your horse and ride! A judge WANTS to see good riders and good horses. They want to give riders scores that reflect what is going on, and hints on how to make great things happen.

Now, what about the horse? What is more important – how he looks or how he moves? “Where would I get more points – an arched neck or relaxed back? How exactly do I make a round circle? How can I get him to square up? Should I just get a better horse?”

Thoughts like these just spin around in our minds, driving us crazy. Just to make it a more confusing enigma--all judges are different and they all have their own opinions. And the level at which you show will require precision in certain specified areas. Know that every test will state exactly what is expected. Be very careful not to do more, nor less than what is asked.

We are going to cover the lower levels as that is where most questions about how to improve are initiated. The basics are the base of the pyramid and cannot be neglected --they should be revisited whenever you run into any problems at any time or any age. The basics will get you started well, or fill in the gaps from previous training. And just a note: even if you never want to show or ride dressage, this course will help you gain more precision and control over your horse and his movements!

LESSON ONE

WHAT JUDGES WANT TO SEE

Some tips to start come from USDF large L graduate Judge, Betty Ortlieb. She usually judges Intro through 2^nd level. At local shows, she has judged through grand prix and all the Eventing tests through FEI.

Her number one suggestion is: PRECISION! “Learn the geometry of the arena and how to ride the movements. Also, read the rules until you are positive you understand them! Read the directives on the tests you enter. The rule book and the test directives are wonderful educational materials,” she emphasizes.

If you are starting out and showing in the intro and training levels, your main goal should not be to show how fancy your horse is, but what you, as a rider, can do with your horse at this level.

The primary thing you can do to score well is show how precisely you can maneuver your horse around the arena.

“When you start around the arena before your ride, (something you get to do before every ride, until the judge blows the whistle or rings the bell) ride with focus and purpose, do not just meander around! (Get your horse used to seeing the judge’s box before you actually enter the ring.) Then (be on time), nail your entrance, halt, salute, move off! That very first impression can carry you through a rocky moment later in the test.

Ride through any problems – don’t just give up! You can have a problem or two, but still get a good score if you keep your focus! Learn to “shake it off” and keep riding positively.

Being precise is an important tip. How else can you be more precise?

When entering the arena, be sure you are exactly straight as you pass through A and are heading to X. If you do not enter straight, you will more than likely end up doing a leg yield over to the centerline, or just being crooked.

If you are not straight, it will be noticed!

And if you are not straight, your halt will not be straight; the result of the domino effect--each movement effects the next movement. You may need to make frequent small corrections, but that is better than being caught unprepared and having to make a huge change during your test.

You want to be sure that when you are supposed to be on the rail, you are actually on the rail and not too far to the inside of the rail. And when you should be in the corners, you ride the corners. You want to be placed correctly at the letters when you begin new movements, being sure your timing and placement are correct.

Being precise in your transitions will get you points. If you know it takes a few moments to get your horse into the trot from the walk, you want to ask a little early to get the horse into the transition at the correct spot.

If your horse jumps right into the trot, then ask for it just at the letter.

Hopefully, as you progress, your horse will be more immediate in his transitions and you won’t have to worry about timing transitions.

You can have great influence over your test with the right attitude, by listening and by being prepared. You need to understand the “testing” lingo, fulfill a previous judge’s helpful comments and be totally prepared for every test; letting down on any test is unacceptable.

What else does the judge want to see and not see?

Betty says with absolute authority, “The biggest NO-NO is abusive riding! NEVER, (EVER), take your temper out on your horse!”

And, she says, “Correct classical training is a must for the level you are riding! NOT a headset!”

Classical training is so important; it is the foundation for dressage. As a matter of fact, dressage is a French term that means to “dress” the horse, or to “train” the horse. It was never meant to mean some specialized way of riding, or to do tricks.

The great Reiner Klimke said good training for a horse must involve controlled flat work a few days a week, jumping or cavaletti a few days a week, some relaxing trail rides and a day off to play. All this, he said, is considered “dressing” the whole horse, mind and body. Dressage helps prepare the horse for the other disciplines, and other disciplines help prepare the horse for dressage. Everything is connected.

Classical training never involved forcing the horse into a preconceived “frame”.

Use of training aids is acceptable until the horse understands the lesson, and then the aids should be eliminated. Training aids are not to be depended upon, or used as a force or punishment.

As a matter of fact, if you read from the “old masters”, the horse should “never be punished, but CORRECTED, and shown the right way with tact and understanding”. This is so very important and needs to be a constant guide for today’s riders and trainers.

When a horse is learning from a rider who uses a quiet leg, soft hand, and gentle voice to guide him to suppleness, balance and straightness, appropriate for his age and skill level, he is being trained classically.

A judge will be looking for horses that have the results of this kind of training; such as a relaxed, swinging back, a quiet, confident carriage, a calm forwardness and a willingness to trust his rider’s requests. The judges do not want to see static “headsets”, or horses above or behind, the bit. They do not want anxious horses with dropped backs, raised hindquarters, and swinging tails.

As for the rider, before you ever step into the ring, there are a few things you can do to be prepared to ride a good test. Betty says, “If you need a whip, be sure to carry one, and be sure it is the correct size.”

“If you carry a whip, use it when needed!”

Pay attention to details, she advises.

“Be sure you know your test until you can do it in your sleep! If you don’t know the test cold, then have a reader.”

If you have an error, stop immediately. Present yourself to the judge, and listen to the instructions. DO NOT TALK to anyone outside the ring and DON’T just leave! DO as the judge asks.”

Just as important as the horse’s training is the rider’s position and aids.

EQUITATION has never been a major theme in dressage, but it can help you score more points in the collective marks.

The rider needs to be correct, balanced and tactful in her riding to help the horse move his best.

Dressage takes willing partners to make a good team that scores well, and the human partner must take the lead and set the tone.

Dressage is not about tricks, or being a taskmaster, but about a team communicating and working in harmony. One of the best things a rider can do for her horse is to improve her education and performance in equitation.

By equitation, I do not mean having a static, motionless way of sitting that inevitably allows the horse to do whatever he wants. I mean using your body in accordance to the horse’s motion, and by using balance, quiet hands, and tactful aids correctly placed and timed.

It seems as if every instructor has her own idea of a “balanced seat” or a “correct position” or a “classical way” to ride. This can be very confusing, especially if you have several instructors, or go to many riding clinics.

All I can say is that out of all the styles of dressage riding I have learned and seen, I feel that I have found the one method of riding that is the very best classical position and has won many honors in dressage. It is the closest to perfection, and has always honored the horse; it is easily obtainable by books and clinics … I am talking about Sally Swift’s, Centered Riding. A few famous and successful dressage riders who follow her teachings include Wendy Murdock and Susan E. Harris. There are thousands of other successful riders who base their dressage riding on Centered Riding.

In a nutshell, Centered Riding explains the how and why of riding in balance and harmony. Swift’s books explain how the rider’s body affects the horse’s body and how the horse moves.

(You can order a copy of Centered Riding at the book store: https://www.donblazer.com/order/order_breyer_books.html)

Centered Riding is about a rider being aware of where her body is and how to use it efficiently.

If you go to www.centeredriding.org you will find a list if clinics and instructors that may be in your area and can help you with your body position.

Improve your body position and your horse will thank you, and the judges will love you.

You’ll rev-up your dressage scores by thinking about “presentation.”

How you present yourself and your horse is extremely important. It can tell the judge you respect yourself, your horse, and the sport.

Groom yourself and your horse to present a professional picture –clean clothes, shiny boots, neat hair (tucked under your helmet) and go light on the make-up. No dangly earrings or jewelry!

Have clean tack on a shiny brushed-out and braided horse.”

Leave the flashy horse brow-bands, saddle pads, and other trinkets at home. Spend your money and time on correct riding, good training, and horse health care.

Judges know the difference between flash and elbow grease, and are more impressed with the time and effort spent on the latter.

You want the saddle pad to be clean and a nice fit for your saddle, stirrup straps short and not flapping around, and the saddle correctly placed on your horse’s back. (It should be behind the shoulders and above the withers by about an inch – this will ensure the saddle lies on the horse’s true ribs and does not inhibit his shoulder movement. (If placed correctly, the girth will then be a hand’s width back from the horse’s elbows.)

It is common for saddles to be placed too far forward. This can cause everything from lameness to behavior issues as well as an improper riding position.

If you want to score points, be sure the saddle fits and is placed correctly.

Unless you are showing in a breed show, and following association rules for the horse, it is best to have the horse’s forelock and mane groomed and braided neatly, and the tail braided and banged perfectly. Add a shiny coat and clean hooves and that makes your presentation professional and point scoring.

Click Here to Take Quiz

Assignments:

Task 1:

If it is possible, go to a dressage show (not with a horse), at any level, and report back on your observances. Even better, volunteer at one and see what the different jobs entail. If you can scribe for a judge (the person who writes what the judge observes) you will learn much valuable information.

Tell me what you witness with the rider’s attitudes, the behavior of horses, tack fit and whatever else you feel is important.

Task 2:

If you are currently showing, or about to show, be sure to get the tests appropriate for your level. Read the directives on the tests and get a copy of the rule book. Having the wrong bit or a whip of the wrong length can get you disqualified. An important note: You are to show what you have already learned, so be sure not to go into a test while still learning a movement. For example, if you are still getting the hang of the canter, show in Walk/Trot tests only until you are ready for Training level. Let me know of your dressage goals and what level you are currently working on.

Task 3:

Make sure your tack fits your horse correctly; just because your saddle fit a year ago does in no way mean that it still fits today. A horse’s body changes frequently for many reasons, and it is up to you to be sure everything is correct and comfortable. Also, check the length of his bit; a horse’s mouth changes as well. Give me a brief report on your horse’s mouth configuration and your bit’s measurements. Send me a picture of your horse saddled so I can see the saddle position.

Please send report and pictures to: circlesofhorses@gmail.com