Sixes again?!!
You’ve finished your tests and your lovely horse is on the trailer/lorry ready to go home. It’s been a successful day – neither you nor your horse had a meltdown, you didn’t forget your test, and it felt like it went pretty smoothly.
Then you get your score sheet and your heart sinks a bit at the distinctly average marks you’ve ended up with. If you always seem to get the same marks (and rarely break the 7 barrier!) or you find similar (and perhaps incomprehensible!) comments from the judge each time and feel you’re not sure how to improve, you are not alone!
My clients bring me this issue on a regular basis so don’t despair, because there are actually lots of easy, quick ways you can improve your scores without your horse having to turn into Valegro overnight! After my most recent outing judging Preliminary 12 and Novice 27 at a Riding Club competition, I thought I’d put together some tips on best practice, and explain how to avoid the mistakes I commonly see when judging.
What was I looking for overall?
The Horse
Forward going, calm horses with active, correct paces will score better at any level. They need to be able to perform the movements easily, with one movement flowing into the next without a loss of impulsion. Your horse also needs to demonstrate a degree of bend, following the lines of turns and circles through their whole body.
The Rider
You have to do your bit too by riding as accurately as you can. It’s all too easy to lose marks just by riding transitions a little early or late, missing your centre lines, or riding less than perfect school movements. In addition, correct diagonals and a balanced, effective position will not only improve the collective mark you receive for your riding, but also produce a better overall performance from your horse.
Tips for Preliminary Level
One common area for improvement at Prelim level is the free walk on a long rein. I often see riders drop the reins altogether, producing a loose, not a long, rein. Instead, maintain a contact and lengthen your reins gradually to encourage your horse to stretch forward and down on the end of the rein. Ensure your horse is still walking actively forward too, as I see a fair bit of dawdling!
Preliminary 12, in particular, contains some of the more challenging movements seen at Prelim level. The half 10m circles in walk, and changing the rein in canter, with a change of leg through trot, are both quite tricky to do well. Accuracy of circle size and shape, and a smooth change of bend on the centre line (right in front of the judge!) are the key to successful half circles.
For the canter change of rein across the diagonal, avoid a potentially unbalanced transition to trot by preparing early. Half-halt well before the X marker to gather the canter together, keeping enough leg on to prevent your horse breaking into trot. Then when you ride the actual transition, it will be much smoother, as you came out of a more balanced canter. Practise varying the canter when schooling, sending your horse on, then bringing him back without letting him break into trot, to develop the canter balance.
How to Improve at Novice Level
At Novice level, a lot of riders lose marks in the performance of the medium paces. Usually, not enough difference is shown between working and medium trot and canter, so really go for it with the medium to achieve maximum impact. Remember, medium paces are about lengthening the stride, rather than quickening the tempo, which can be easier said than done, so enlist the help of your instructor to ensure you’re doing it right.
Giving and retaking the reins is another area that causes confusion. You need to be quite obvious with this to gain marks. Move your hands forward towards your horse’s ears, slackening the reins completely, before replacing them and taking up the contact again. Move your hands, don’t let the reins slip through your fingers, and hold the position for at least two or three strides so your judge doesn’t blink and miss it!
General Tips
LEARN YOUR TEST! I cannot stress this enough! Even with a reader, plenty of competitors still mis-hear instructions and go wrong due to the pressure of the situation. If you do make a mistake however, don’t give up! Your judge will restart you, so take a deep breath and forget about it. Only that one movement will be affected, so concentrate on riding the rest of the test.
It’s a great idea to get someone to film your test so you can review your performance afterwards, especially if you do so with an instructor, who can help you analyse how you did. In the heat of the moment, it can be difficult to focus on how your horse is going, but afterwards you can match up your score sheet with your video and see exactly what your judge saw.
If you haven’t competed before, don’t be shy. There are so many benefits to having a go at some unaffiliated dressage. It’s an excellent way to boost your confidence and develop the bond with your horse, who will no doubt enjoy getting out and about to a new place. Brush up on any skills you aren’t sure of, and practise your test with your instructor beforehand to ensure you feel in control on the day. A friendly local competition is the best place to start, have a look online or in tack shops for your nearest yards and riding clubs and the events they are running.
Happy Riding 🙂
