Tips For Achieving Top Marks In Your Dressage Tests

Preparation is of vital importance when deciding on entering and training for your dressage test. When considering competitions, as a rule of thumb it is vital to know that the training of the horse and rider is of a standard sufficient to or preferable higher than that of the level test you will be performing.

The rider should know the test off by heart; this will allow the rider and horse to concentrate on their working relationship rather than any confusions or worries about direction or which exercise comes next becomes a distraction.
Training and practicing each part of the test and the different exercises that will be ridden during the test is a vital part of you and your horse's preparation for this. It is advisable though that a few weeks prior to the test you should perform the entire test in as close an environment as possible. This will give you a good indication of areas that need to be worked on, whether you and your horses concentration throughout a complete test becomes tested at any specific points or whether transitions between certain exercises need a little extra practice. Having someone video you whilst practicing the complete test can be very useful too as you will be able to see areas that may be feel fine but from a judges perspective may require a little revision.

Remember that any judge's comments should be taken with an open minded view. Being open to criticism will allow you to analyse why the scores have been given to each of your movements throughout the test. The comments given with the scores should be thought about and used as a tool for assisting your future training so improvements should be seen on the next occasion.