|
|
|
| |||||
| Our details | |||||
|
|
Abingdon RDAHOW TO RIDE A DRESSAGE TESTRDA DRESSAGE TEST 32 (1998) WALK, TROT AND CANTER 1. A Enter in working trot X Halt. Salute. Proceed in trot C Track left Establish a good balanced rhythmical trot with plenty of impulsion, riding into a good contact. When the bell/horn sounds to signify the start of the test you have 60 seconds to make your entry before you are eliminated. Therefore, if you are not happy with the trot that you have established there is still time to make any transitions or change of rein to improve the trot in preparation for a good entrance. Allow plenty of room to make a straight entry and do not ride parallel to the arena so that you would have to make a sharp turn at A to come down the centre line. Ride positively towards the judge in a straight line. Prepare to halt well before X with a succession of half halts to warn the horse of a change of transition. It is quite acceptable at novice level for a horse to make a downward transition to halt progressively with 2 or 3 steps of walk to retain balance. The legs must be used as a supportive aid with even pressure applied. If applied unevenly the horse is unlikely to stand square with its hind legs. The more leg you use will encourage the hind leg to step underneath the horse. Likewise you must be prepared to allow with the reins slightly just before you come to a halt to establish a square halt in front. Slightly more pressure with one hand over the other will prevent the foreleg on that side from coming so far forward. When you have come to a halt do not rush the salute which may cause the horse to fidget. Quietly take the reins in one hand (preferably the left), and stick if one is carried, and salute the judge. Do this by dropping the free hand to your side allowing your arm to rest in line with your hip and at the same time lowering your head. Quietly retake the reins into a soft contact and attract the horses attention by playing with the reins in your fingers, which should help to relax the jaw. Once you have the horses attention proceed in working trot maintaining a straight line. It is quite acceptable for the horse to take a couple of strides in walk before moving into trot. Before you make your turn at C ask for a succession of half halts in preparation for the turn. Slightly weight the inside seat bone and indicate the change of direction with the inside rein and an active inside leg on the girth to encourage the bend through the body and to maintain impulsion. The outside rein, used as a supportive aid, controls the tempo of the turn and the amount of bend. The outside leg remains behind the girth to support the hindquarters, which should become more active if the quarters start to fall out. 2. H Working trot around arena to F Maintain a good rhythmical trot around the arena with plenty of impulsion. 3. FXH Change rein showing at least 3 medium trot strides In the corner before F you should carry out a few half halts to help engage the quarters and produce enough impulsion and spring to the trot so that the horse is capable of producing medium length strides. Before you make your turn at F slightly weight the inside seat bone and indicate the change of direction with the inside rein and an active inside leg on the girth to encourage the bend through the body and to maintain impulsion. The outside rein, used as a supportive aid, controls the tempo of the turn and the amount of bend. The outside leg remains behind the girth to support the hindquarters, which should become more active if the quarters start to fall out. You must aim for the left-hand side of H in order for the horses shoulder to meet the track at the actual letter without over shooting the marker. The horse must be balanced and straight before you commence the medium strides. Ask with the legs and only when there is a stronger contact in the hand should you allow with the hands but only enough for the horse to increase the length of stride. You must not let go, as it will only result in the horse running on faster and falling onto the forehand. You must maintain the same tempo but the length of stride should increase. When you have shown at least 3 medium trot strides you will need to collect the horse by asking for a succession of half halts again to shorten the stride. The half halts should prevent the horse from falling onto the forehand, as there will be a tendency for the horse to become unbalanced having increased the length of stride. Plenty of leg will be needed to push the horse into your hand to help find its balance and establish a good rhythmic trot. Just before you reach H you will need to prepare for the change of direction as before. 4. H Working trot around arena to A Maintain a good rhythmical trot around the arena with plenty of impulsion. 5. A Commence circle right 20m diameter and on circle between X&A Working canter right Before you reach A carry out a succession of half halts to indicate a change of movement and ask for a little flexion to the right. Ride to the 4 points of your circle (A and X and 10m from each of the long sides at A. (If you were to join these points together you would make a diamond shape within your circle)) When you pass X you must start to prepare the horse for transition to canter. A good place to carry out this transition is upon reaching the track at the 10m point from A. Carry out a succession of half halts to engage the hindquarters and to warn the horse of a change of transition. To ask for the correct strike off make sure the inside leg is on the girth with slightly more weight on the inside seat bone, control the tempo with the outside rein and brush the outside leg behind the girth to indicate the required lead. Increase the inside leg aid and lighten the inside rein very slightly to allow the horse to move forward into canter. 6. A Working canter around the arena. Between B & F Working trot FAK Working trot Maintain a good rhythmical canter and just before reaching B carry out a succession of half halts to both warn the horse of a downward transition and to increase the engagement of the hocks in preparation of a good balanced working trot. In doing this you should prevent the horse from falling onto the forehand. At any point between B and F you may make the downward transition and once established maintain a good swinging trot around the arena to K. 7. K Medium walks. E Turn right B Track left M Working trot Prepare for the downward transition with a succession of half halts on approaching K to engage the hocks and to warn the horse of a change of transition. Retain a good rhythmical walk ensuring the horse does not become hurried and fall onto the forehand. If necessary carry out a half halt to rebalance the pace. Before you reach E carry out 2 or 3 half halts to warn the horse of a change of direction. Slightly weight the inside seat bone and indicate the change of direction with the inside rein and an active inside leg on the girth to encourage the bend through the body and to maintain impulsion. The outside rein, used as a supportive aid, controls the tempo of the turn and the amount of bend. The outside leg remains behind the girth to support the hindquarters, which should become more active if the quarters start to fall out. Ask for the turn just before E making a smooth curve and then ride a straight line towards B. As you pass over X carry out 1 or 2 half halts to warn the horse of a change of movement and indicate the change of direction as before. Ensure you ask for the turn in plenty of time so that the horse does not have to make too sharp a turn at B. Prepare for the upward transition at M with 2 or 3 half halts just before the marker to warn the horse of a change of movement and proceed at working trot. 8. C Commence circle left 20m diameter and on circle between X&C Working canter left Before you reach C carry out a succession of half halts to indicate a change of movement and ask for a little flexion to the left. Ride to the 4 points of your circle (C and X and from 10m from each of the long sides at C). When you pass X you must start to prepare the horse for transition to canter. A good place to carry out this transition is upon reaching the track at the 10m point from C. Carry out a succession of half halts to engage the hindquarters and to warn the horse of a change of transition. To ask for the correct strike off make sure the inside leg is on the girth with slightly more weight on the inside seat bone, control the tempo with the outside rein and brush the outside leg behind the girth to indicate the required lead. Increase the inside leg aid and lighten the inside rein very slightly to allow the horse to move forward into canter. 9. C Working canter around the arena Between B & M Working trot Maintain a good rhythmical canter and just before reaching B carry out a succession of half halts to warn the horse of a downward transition and to increase the engagement of the hocks in preparation of a good balanced working trot. In doing this you should prevent the horse from falling onto the forehand. At any point between B and M you may make the downward transition. 10. C Medium walk HB Change rein in free walk. B Medium walk To prepare for medium walk at C, carry out 2 or 3 half halts just before the marker to warn the horse of a downward transition. Proceed at medium walk and prepare for the change of rein at H with a couple of half halts. Slightly weight the inside seat bone and indicate the change of direction with the inside rein and an active inside leg on the girth to encourage the bend through the body and to maintain impulsion. The outside rein, used as a supportive aid, controls the tempo of the turn and the amount of bend. The outside leg remains behind the girth to support the hindquarters, which should become more active if the quarters start to fall out. As you move off the track at H ride a straight line to the left of the B marker maintaining the leg contact and quietly allowing the horse to take the reins. The horse should stretch down long and low with a rounded neck and back but not be allowed to fall on the forehand or increase the tempo. Before B gradually retake the reins into a contact. You may need to relax the horses jaw by playing with the reins in your fingers to prevent the horse raising its head and hollowing its back and coming above the bit. 11. F Working trot A Down centre line. G Halt. Salute. Leave arena in free walk at A. Prepare for the upward transition at F with 2 or 3 half halts just before to warn the horse of a change of movement and proceed at working trot. Establish a good rhythmic trot with plenty of impulsion but not hurried. In the corner before A carry out a succession of half halts to warn the horse of a change of movement. Just before A slightly weight the inside seat bone and indicate the change of direction with the inside rein and an active inside leg on the girth to encourage the bend through the body and to maintain impulsion. The outside rein, used as a supportive aid, controls the tempo of the turn and the amount of bend. The outside leg remains behind the girth to support the hindquarters, which should become more active if the quarters start to fall out. Ride onto the centre line looking straight ahead at the C marker to help maintain a straight line. Just before G use a few half halts to warn the horse of a downward transition. Once again the transition to halt may be progressive with 2 or 3 walk strides to help retain the balance of the horse. The legs must be used as a supportive aid riding into the hands, which must restrain enough so that the horse moves forward into halt. Remember to keep the leg and hand aids of even pressure to help establish a good square halt. When you have come to a halt salute the judge once more and do not forget to smile. Leave the arena at A quietly at walk on a long rein and give the horse a well-deserved pat.
(A Group Member of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving, Registered Company No.5010395, Registered Charity No. 244108)
|
|
