Dressage Riders? HELP!?

Question

I have my own horse now, I really want to show him in easy dressage. I have a dressage instructor, but I would like to hear from others opinions. Anyone who does dressage or know A LOT about dressage please tell me everything I need to do for the easiest level dressage test. Also tell me everything that can help me in my first dressage show. What kind of tack and stuff do i need? Also when I am practicing should I put some form of protective wear on my horses legs? thanks.

Answer 1

In the lowest level of dressage you onlyh ave to do walk and trot. Theya re not too picky about your horse "being on the bit". What the judge is the responsiveness of your horse.

You do not need any protective equipment on your horses legs unless you find that he is doing damage to himself. Keep an eye out and judge accordingly.

Answer 2

For the easiest dressage test, all you really need is a horse that can walk and trot (intro is the correct name for the easiest level).  Since you are not going to be doing anything grand, you don't have to wear a dressage coat (if you have one, wear it), what I'm saying is that you don't have to wear exact cloathing; if you have a hunt jacket, wear it, if you don't have dressage boots, field boots are just as good.  

Just like any show, make sure you and your horse are well turned out.  You should be able to memorise your test (I don't see why not, if people can memorise the grand prix special, you can mamorise an intro test), but if your really concered you might forget it, you can have some one read it.  I find when I'm in the warm-up, some people tend to totally ignore you; they just go round like you don't even exist, so make sure you call inside and outside.  

If you just doing a little schooling show, you don't need to be all done up in dressage gear.  If you planning on doing some rated shows, you are going to need a dressage saddle, coat, boots, manes need to be braided, the whole nine yards.

I put boots on my horses/ponies legs when I school them, just in case.  I would recommend it, it's always a good idea.  I personnaly recommend wolf boots, I like them a lot (I already went through one pair!).  I hope this helped!

Answer 3

Well, when i practice for dressage, i use polowraps. you have to be careful that you dont cut off circulation with them. but that theyr not loose enough to come apart.

I also use draw reigns. they help teach your horse to bend and flex, and to put their head in at the poll.

I also use a dressage whip.

i use a martingayle. but you really dont need one, because you cant use them in a show.

Im almost to training level.

(:)

woohoo!

good luck!

have fun!

any questions, email!

Answer 4

Dressage is all about cooperation between horse and rider, work on transitions ( just easy ones for now like walk-trot-walk), keeping them pleasant and gentle, work on bending and basic riding.  

I'm assuming you're in the U.S.  The lowest level of dressage you can compete in is Intro level, you will likely find this test at a schooling show though, not at a recognized show.  It only requires basic walk and trot movements to be done in harmony.  From there, the lowest recognized test is Training level, which is basic walk/trot/canter, use of 20 meter circles.  From there you advance to first level which as basic lengthenings at the trot and canter, as well as the introduction of the leg yeild (sideways movement).

Although training level sounds easy (what riders/horses can't w/t/c a 20 meter circle?) but to score in the 60s (a solid score) you need to be very proper in correct in doing the movements required.

PLEASE do not listen to the advice on gear from the event rider :(  you should NEVER EVER ride dressage in ANY sort of gag or elevator bit!  In all actuality, it is illegal in lower level competition to ride in anything but a single-ringed snaffle or straight bar!  You are supposed to create a gentle connection between your hands and the horse's mouth in dressage.  A gag bit is used to get a horse "off" your hands so it can't hang on you or ignore you, in dressage you need a connection not forced obedience!  

Aside from the bit, i would look into getting a dressage saddle.  Although the basics of dressage can be practiced in any sort of saddle, a dressage saddle is vital to an ideal rider position!  As far as protective gear, there are many many varied opinions on the subject.  All sorts of sport's medicine boots are available for the hopes or improving the longevity of your horse, however what is most important is that your horse does not injure itself during training.  Even simple polo wraps help prevent injury if your horse were to hit its leg with a hoof from another leg.  However this is more prevalent when you are training movements at 1st level or above where the horse is asked to step sideways or lengthen it's gaits, it is more likely that your horse can hurt itself!

Other than that, leg protection is not allowed IN the show ring, but it is allowed during warmup at a show (and of course at home), you are allowed to carry a whip (there are maximum length requirements but i can't think of them off the top of my head) and spurs (blunt spurs only, also have have a length requirement), depending on your age and the show you may also be required to wear a helmet.  Clean turnout with your horse braided is prefered, you should have a white saddlepad, white breeches, black jacket, black gloves (white gloves should only be worn by advanced riders in the US, b/c they show off bad hand movement if you're not perfect!), and a stock tie.  

Good luck!

Answer 5

Right, I event at quite a high level so listen up.

When you go, dont enter a freestyle because it means you have to make up your own routien.

You will be given 'instructions' when you register for the show that you will have to practise.

No one can really tell you how to peform dressage, it is more of a feeling and you have to have a horse that can do it, not all of them are capable. Connamara X TB with more TB in are the best (i have one).

You need a dressage saddle - black are very smart with a normal black bridle with a complex bit so you have the horse dancing on your fingertips at your every command.

For novice, i suggest you use a dutch gag.

Now, get a square white quilted numnah to look extra profesh.

to do a half pass, first turn on a very tight circle, almost a turn on the forehand but slightly bigger.

You need to go on a diagonal of the longest side of the school, then turn her to face inward and put one leg behind the girth and one leg on it. Then drop yur hands, open one rein and close the other, then kick slightly with the leg that is behind the girth. She should move along the side of the school, looking at the far corner with her front and back legs crossing underneath her.

I would buy dressage boots like these for the horse to support his legs and tendonshttp://special.equisearch.com/blog/horse...

Sorry if you diddnt get that, but its soemthing for you to start off with.

Good luck.

EDIT: I diddnt know you wernt alowed to use gags in lower level but I use a mullen mouth pelham because I do upper-level dressgae, and my horse tends not to respond to a snaffle, but Use hwta you have to, obviously you cant use a gag if your not alowed, sorry about that :S i really diddnt know

Answer 6

If you want to show in novice than the best thing for you to do riding wise is just build a connection. Make sure that you can get your horse balanced enough so you can start making him "give". The best way is to make sure he's centered around the outside.

To do this you need to pull your outside shoulder back, outside leg back and slightly the outside rein back (just to begin). My trainer always said (when I was beginning) to make him look more to the outside. It balances them off your leg.

Your trainer can help you with the rest.

As far as tack you just want a dressage saddle, maybe a white pad, and a black bridle. You'll want the proper attire for yourself as well, that can be ordered from dover saddlery or state line tack.

As far as protection on your horses legs, the best thing to use are polo wraps. Some friends of mine school in splint boots too.. or if your horse over-tracks you can always use bell-boots. It really depends on how your horse moves and how you can fit his needs.

I hope I helped!!

Good luck, dressage is a blast. (eventing is even more fun.. :) )