Download dressage should be fun

DRESSAGE
SHOULD BE FUN !
Some Food for thought in the Basic Requirements
level.
at Preliminary and Novice
It helps if Horse and Rider fit each other rather like a comfortable pair of
shoes, and preferably with a little Style !
They should be in Harmony together and at ease with each other s company..
rather like trying to find the perfect Partner. Married couples ideally should try
to *stick it Out * together for Better or for Worse… however if the Horse ain’t
suiting..(Like Modern day Marriages… there is such a thing as Divorce !!) And
at least with a Horse, It is sometimes better to trade in for something more
appropriate rather than end up over horsed, not enjoying it and crocked in
hospital !
The essentials are that the partnership should be confident and
capable of delivering to the best of their ability. At Riding Club level
temperament, combined with a willingness to oblige,in a non spooky submissive
way is preferable to being over horsed on a flashy horse with paces that would
not be easy to sit in to. Three Basic paces is all that one requires and the
essentials then are to ride correct movements, show good transitions and a
Balanced way of going and one can gain some very respectable Percents.
Always seek advice from a trusted friend to go along with you when selecting the
Horse of your dreams.. Four eyes are always better than two, and some Horse
Dealers like Car Dealers can often be rather persuasive and eager to off load
something not quite suitable. Don t rush about the decision and go back a
second time to verify one s first impressions.. Listen to your instincts . Marry in
haste.. repent at leisure ! When you have the right horse there is nothing to
beat the hours of pleasurable riding you will have together. Unless you are an
experienced Horse producer it is also probably wise to avoid the * Young
Horse* as two people learning together can make an awful lot of mistakes.
Better to have a horse that has been out and about in the world , that you
know is nice to handle when being loaded and travelling to shows and that has
been brought on basically correctly.
It is at Preliminary and Novice level that the most fertile seeds of Training are
sown, therefore it is so very important that we should all understand what is
required.
Consider the following points when assessing the Paces :
The Walk should be relaxed and unconstrained, with a clear and even 4
time rhythm .. the higher marks will be awarded for energy and ground cover .
However a horse who shows rather a huge over track can often run into problems
later on unless the Training Scale is very clearly adhered to. The Walk is the easiest
of the paces to spoil by Riders seeking too strong a contact in the early training and
hence Judges should be vigilant in clearly defining the criteria in the basic
training. Young horses should only be asked to walk with a * feather light
contact* . the Free walk is the pace which clearly shows any faults in the early
basic training. Riders should clearly read and understand the requirements of
the Training Scale which concentrates on the basic way of going through out
the grades.
Trot should show a clear two time beat with no loss of rhythm on the turns ,
corners and changes of direction across the arena. When showing lengthened
strides this should be in balance without rushing, or forging or losing rhythm.
Canter should be balanced and have a clear three beat , a horse who tanks
off in canter, or who bows down on the forehand is a difficult horse to ride. One
should feel that one can canter happily along in a nice up right position .. reins in
one hand and inside arm behind your back. then you know you are in control !
More and more emphasis is nowadays put on the Way of Going which has
just as much importance as accuracy and the whole impression should be that of
Harmony together, Balanced and Athletic. The horse should appear to do the
movements of his own accord without effort.
Think always of the Scales of Training , Rhythm, Suppleness, Contact,
Impulsion, Straightness and eventually, Collection. If one concentrates on the
First three Points throughout all your schooling movements in preparation for
riding your first tests you will be going in the right direction ! As you then
progress up the Grades the Rest will follow..
GOOD LUCK
Marion Greene Leinster Region Dressage Training at Dollanstown
21st February 2009