Preparation and test riding tips

These tips should help you prepare for your test and ride it well on the day.

At least a week before

• Enter tests at a level where you and your horse can perform confidently
• Check you have the right copy of the test
• Check you are familiar with all the rules that apply
  
• Always learn the test from entry at A
  
• Download and print an Easy Dressage test riding template
• Plan out the test movement by movement using coloured pens
• A movement starts at the first letter mentioned and continues until the first letter of the next movement
  
• Note which movements count for marks - sometimes you will have a whole mark allocated just to one transition
• Think about which bits will be most difficult for you and your horse - practice those or similar movements

During the week before

• Runthrough the test using your Easy Dressage practicearena
• Learn the test movements by navigating your practice arena on foot, using your test plan and test sheet to guide you
  
• Where's the walk?
• Do you canter one way after the other or is there a break in between?
• Do youunderstand exactly what each movement requires? (if not, try the rulebook, your judge or the competition organiser)
• Which movements will you struggle with and where are your strong points likely to be?
• How will you improve on previous performances?
• What is your aim for this test? (e.g. get a 7 for my canter)
  

• Once you know the movements, ask a friend to test you
• Continue to practice on your feet but now without your plan, and visualise yourself riding
  
• Imagine how things will look on the day, including with the judge at C
• Get as relaxed and calm as possible before entering the arena
  
• "Walk" the walk, "trot" the trot and "canter" the canter
• Think about preparing for each movement in advance
• Practiceaccuracy for movements such as give and retake and transitions
• Now you can ride the test fluently, help prepare for the unexpected:
• Start from one third or two thirds through to help memorise the sequence even if there's an interruption
• Try putting the arena in a different place or facing in a different direction
• Visualise riding your test in an arena facing each of four ways
• Focus on the parts you find most difficult and related exercises
  
• Practice at other times in your minds eye or on your horse
  
• Run through in your mind as often as you can, whilst walking, about to go to sleep, or even in a boring meeting
• Ride the test movements individually out of sequence to practice them without building your horse's anticipation
• Ride the test through two or three times on your horse
  

On the day

• Make sure you leave plenty of time
• Don't let little things stress you or your horse - you should be the picture of composure!
• Stay calm! Easier said than done, but it's supposed to befunafter all, any tension in you will flow straight through to your horse
• Don't forget to check if there's a mounted prize giving, just in case
• Have the original test sheet and your test plan to hand and in your pocket whilst you warm up
• Try and watch at least one test right through in the arena you will ride in
• Breathe slowly, and act like everything's under control even if it doesn't feel like it
• Try to avoid needing a caller - they can still go wrong, or there can be distractions like a competing caller in the next door arena

Riding your test

• Before the test, warm up on the right rein for a right turn at C or the left rein for a left turn
• Wait for the bell or horn
• Swing out to get a straight entry at A, you can circle to get a line if there's room
• Make sure your weight's even and your focus straight ahead andforward, for a straight centre line
• Prepare each movement by half halting and giving aids that are as clear as possible
• Remember to breathe and check you remain as relaxed as possible throughout the test
• Enjoy your test - the judge is only human and will have seen worse
• Finish with a smile and a pat for your horse
• Give yourself and your horse credit if it went well - riding a test is rarely easy
• Find your horse some credit even if it didn't all go to plan
  
• Make a mental note of what to prepare better next time
  
• Relax and enjoy the time with your horse while you wait for the results, try and find some grazing if there's time and space
  

Understanding your sheet

• Collect your sheet and read the comments
• Take note - but don't beat yourself up or over analyse
• If there's something you don't understand, see if the judge is around to explain - but remember they'll have seen 40 horses or more
  
• Always be courteous to the judge even if you can't understand where they're coming from, only they got to see their view today
  
• Compare your performance to your previous ones and to those of others to check that you're competing at the right level
  
• Get advice from a friend or trainer if you're not happy with your progress
  
• Remember your relationship with your horse is far more important than your mark today
• Give yourself credit where you've made progress or worked well with a difficult situation
• Make sure you've got the best out of your day, and look forward to next time...

Disclaimer: These tips are for guidance only, and are not intended to replace rules. All riders must ensure they are familiar with the relevant rules.