Horse Show Coming Up...

Question

and i know my horse has the potential to get first place. his previous owner was showing him...novice i think (it was somewhere up there where the show jumps were like 3 foot something, and she usually got first or second on him) and the last time i showed i got fifth place out of 8, because of my dressage score, the judges said i need better bend and to use my corners, but i get nervous in the corners, because i dont want my horse to jump over the side, does anyone have any tips for improving my dressage score?

Answer 1

If you don't have access to a dressage arena, here is what I do to practice "corners" because I had the same problem as you! (except, instead of being an eventer I'm a flat out dressage girl who dabbles in jumping). Put up two holes that make a corner out somewhere and if you have cement blocks put them up. You can make all four corners, or you can just make one and use it. When you go into the corner, drive your horse to it then begin to curve around, when you're curving, use your inside leg to push him more into the corner. Get him to leg yield off your leg and move into the corner more, it'll produce more bend and make you closer into the corner.

Practice with that, if you're a jumper I KNOW you have to have ground poles around somewhere, and if he tries to jump them, you know what you gotta work on more. :) Get it down so you've got the corner idea figured out, how to get the proper bend (think ahead, turn your head before time, don't even look into the corner, just bend into the corner) and when to ask for the turn. You'll get it, just practice them apply it. The worse thing that happens is you mess it up, and you aren't going to be killed for making a mistake! I used to worry about dressage rng mistakes way too much, but you get used to it and finally you learn to relax.

Good luck :)

Answer 2

Practice at home and "think positive"   Don't forget .. no matter how good you are, there will always be someone else that is just as competitive.  Do have fun in whatever you are doing.

Answer 3

well, if you think that he will jump the corners, then he will. i you think, "he won't jump the corners," or just don't think about it at all then he most likely won't.

Hope that it helps!!!

Answer 4

Your horse won't jump the corners. Just relax and go into the corners, but not too deep if you are afraid that he will jump them. I saw a girl whose horse went over the markers because he was doing a circle and needed more room. It's not that bad, honestly. A little faith in your horse can go a long way. Good luck!

Answer 5

believe in your horse and yourself and think that he wont jump the corners and then he wont!!!

i hope i helped!!! and good luck and congratulations!!

Answer 6

Don't think about the corners.  If you think, oh Gosh, he's going to jump the poles, he will.  Think about your turn, look where you want to go, not in front of you. Leg yield him into the corner a bit, he won't feel like he is being set up for a jump.  (sit with more weight on your outside seatbone, firm outside rein, bend him in with the inside rein with little squeezes, and use your inside leg to push him into the outside rein.)  He will ease in to the corner and have good bend.  Also, turn your shoulders in on the circles and corners as that will put his shoulders inside a bit and improve his bend.  Practice in a dressage arena so he gets used to seeing those crazy little walls that look like jumps.  My first show, my TB thought they were jumps too.  Good luck...

Answer 7

well, the only way he would be able to jump out of the ring is if your outside aides aren't strong enough, so increase the strength of your outside aids and problem solved!

remember, if your pushing inside leg to outside hand, you outside leg should be there as a "wall" to stop him once he get to where he needs to be..

Answer 8

Ride in a dressage arena. If there isn't one at your stable to practice in, trailer or move the horse to a facility where there is one.

Answer 9

Dressage theory states that you ride inside leg to outside rein. Basically, you push the horse to the rail with your leg, and keep them from going too far with your outside leg.  To put this to use:  say you are riding past A towards the corner to K.  As you approach your corner, press in with your right leg,  your horse should respond with a little more bend.  If he starts to suck out through his shoulder or ribcage, lift him up with your left rein.  Look toward K or even B and lift your outside rein slightly while pressing your horse into the corner with your inside leg.

Effective use of your eyes should discourage your horse from jumping out of the arena, and having him on contact with your outside rein will give you the ability to correct him if he considers it.  Your inside leg will keep the bend that the judge asked for.  Good luck! Dressage is simple, but never easy!

Answer 10

On your corners, of you have him bent to the inside, moving forward and use your outside rein as a guide rein I promise he wont jump out.  If you free up his outside shoulder and allow him to move into it he wont be in the right position to jump out.

As for bending, while your schooling at home try to over exagerate opening your outside rein, bringing your inside rein up to pick up his inside shoulder, and moving your outside leg back to push his hindquarters in.