Video From Show-Critique

Question

Heres a video from my latest dressage show:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=HGIafpvv4hI

I forgot the first part of my test, and was on the wrong diagonal :P I was very nervous, it was my first big rated show. I'm very happy with how it came out though. Max got his right lead, and although he wasn't round, he was good.

Any critiques or comments?

Answer 1

well upon entering your horse drifted through your left leg so make sure to do leg yeilds and work on getting him to except ur left leg so he will be straighter and serpentines and figure 8's r good 2.the halt was rushed and he drifted again through your left leg(which was understandable if ur nervous, i do jumping but i find it helps if i foucs on getting one thing right at a time instead of the whole course)he also lacked any activity and impulsion he was trotting very lazily so get him sensitive you ur leg and get an ACTIVE(but noe fast) trot also ALL of your bends were flase bends and only in the neck...use inside leg to outside hand to achieve a true bend, balance comes from the horse being balanced on the outside rein with helps from the inside leg for a BEND in a corner this is just more exzaggerated.the canter also lacked any impulsion/activity and the down transistion to a trot was also lacking in impulsion so keep ur leg on a little on the down transistion so he almost glides in a sense into the trot and is not just falling into it.

good luck!

=]]

Answer 2

I'm sure this video will get a lot of views.

Sorry, I'm not into dressage. I think you look great though!

Your horse is really cute! I don't know anything about dressage though. But, thanks for sharing.

You both look like a gutsy team. Your horse is super gorgeous. He is absolutely adorable. I mean, he is super adorable.

Thank you so much for sharing. I will try and get a video of me on my horse. The only critique I have is to remember to point your toes forward. You two make a great pair. Just keep your toes and knees angled in towards the horse.

Answer 3

I'm nervous and I just started dressage, my first show is tomorrow and it's only into level A and B walk/ trot. it is really easy but I am still so nervous! I think you did pretty good and your horse was way adorable. I did see that you were on the wrong diagonal at the beginning, but you fixed it about half way through. You did do really good on your circles and cantering. Your posting was off sometimes, a little bouncy looking. And about half way through when you got to K, you trotted for a few paces then walked a few paces then picked up the trot again, was that supposed to happen? I wasn't sure, but all in all I think you did pretty good and good luck in any future shows!!!

Answer 4

I can imagine how nervous you were!

You need to work on a nice square halt with your trainer.

you have a nice sitting trot and you sit well to the canter! Don't you just love dressage saddles?

when your going into that trot after K you need to be prepared and collected.

your 20 meter circle at the canter was good.

you weren't on the center line (that's what I saw) when you halted. but the halt was nice,still, and somewhat square.

you did great for your first big show =]. Keep up with the good work!

Your horse is gorgeous!!!! And you two looked well turned out!

Answer 5

Your horse has really good energy and you did a great job for your first rated show.  There are some simple fixes that will improve future rides.  Practice trot/walk/trot on strait lines (but not always on the center line) use the quarter line and the second track, but not on the rail either,  and then try trot/halt/trot lines keeping your horse really straight throughout.  Don't worry about your posting diagonal...it won't affect your score.  Stay on one diagonal for the entire bending line (shallow serpentine) and diagonal at the end of the test.  You are getting to some of the letters late.  In the free walk, ride to the right side of K so that you are back to medium walk by the time you get to that letter and then maybe he won't anticipate the trot at A...He needs to show much more stretch in the neck down and nose out in the free walk and stretch circle in trot.  Try to get his nose down to the level of his knees and show more ground cover in the free walk.  Think about the "I'm walking home from a trail ride" walk.  Some of your circles were a little large and shallow on one half and too deep on the second half.  Circles need to be centered between B & E.  Stay about 2 meters inside the lines of R/S and P/V.

Keep going out as much as you can.  Schooling shows, clinics etc.  You'll get better each time.  What was your score?  

I always ride 2 tests.  If the first one doesn't go well, I have a second chance to fix things and I'm usually not as nervous for the second ride.  And if the first test goes well, then I get to go again and really have fun with it!

Good luck

Answer 6

Your halt wasn't square. (judges like square halts). Your were kind of zig zagging after you did the salute thing. Your horse Max seems to have a lot of dressage experience

Answer 7

Watch this for some self-comparison. http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=5N1hCaOY9x...

I noticed four things right away: 1. Your hands are much too busy and finally settle down around the 3 minute mark. 2. Your leg aids need to be more controlled and refined. 3. Your feet are too deep in the stirrups and your toes stick out intermittently. Cue from the inside of the leg; don't twist the ankle and let your feet get away from being parallel with your horse. 4. You don't have enough contact, so Max isn't on the bit. I'm not talking crank and yank. I saw the reins flapping loosely a few times; that's a good indicator contact is not appropriate.

Congratulations on riding your first big rated show. Nerves and all!!! Max and you both came through nicely, especially for the first time. My feedback is intended solely as constructive. I hope you take it that way.

Best wishes on your many future dressage rides...