Low low lowest level dressage test

[eightpondfarm]

So, my coach is encouraging me to at least go watch a show. And she thinks i am ready to do something in one!

1st question: She said that my mare’s head doesn’t need to be on a vertical, and i think she said?? that for judging purposes, at training level it was not desirable at all.

2nd question: i think she told me that at the lowest level there was no stop and salute upon entry, only at exit. Also, that it was walk/trot only, no canter on this lowest level test. Welll, i cannot find this mysterious test this morning. Would someone please link me? (coach is non-available right now)

thanks in advance.

[soloudinhere]

She’s referring to the Intro A test, which is not a USEF level. https://www.usdf.org/docs/showflash/web/tests/2019/Intro_Test_A.pdf

She’s correct that rather than halt at x, you make a walk transition between x and c.

There’s no canter until Intro C, which I think has a half circle or something like that to develop the canter.

[JenEM]

Yep, Intro C has a canter developing in the first quarter of a circle and transitioning back to a trot before A. If the horse can canter, I actually like the Training 1 test better than Intro C.

The USEA BN tests are also quite similar to Training level, but don’t have the initial halt (or stretchy trot circle), and are an option at most schooling shows.

At Intro they’re really not expecting round. They just want relaxed and forward–a pleasant “hunter” type carriage with a decent connection is fine at that level. I’ve been doing Intro for a year and a half with my young horse, who is just turned five and ready to step up to Training. Even at Training, they’re not expecting you to look like a 2nd or 3rd level horse. Going and watching what other horses at those levels look like–and at a schooling show there will be plenty at Intro and Training–will give you an idea of what is actually out there in the ring, versus what the platonic ideal of that level is.

[eightpondfarm]

ahhhh INTRO~!! Thanks you guys. I was looking at TL

[Training_Cupid]

Depends on the judge, I’ve had a few at training level comment specifically that I need to work on getting nose to vertical, though most just say “could/should be rounder” without specifying what exactly the expectation is at the level.
I’m in CA, and our judges I think are generally less generous than some other regions because we do have a lot of very talented horses and riders. And locally there doesn’t tend to be too much difference between schooling and recognized shows.

[eightpondfarm]

huh. well, i’ll just have to take my lumps. We’ll get there when we get there but we’re not there yet.

[Lunabear1988]

Yes it’s intro A! Intro B there is a halt but no canter.

The horse should be accepting of the bit not necessarily on the bit. I think especially at intro the better your circles are and geography and rhythm the better you will do.

At one schooling show I even saw some trainers leading riders on their green horses in the ring! It was a really good experience for the horses and riders. Hopefully if yours is a schooling show it will be a similar atmosphere.

[Lunabear1988]

OP, I just did my first dressage show and probably 16 years or so, this fall. On my average moving (rehabbing from injury too) QH. I really practiced my geography and I got a 68% and a 70%.

Two important tips that I got, that I had no clue about before, was it intro a lot of the movements are stated to happen in between letters not at the letter. And it’s set up that way to benefit you. So don’t rush to pick up the trot or do the downward transitions too abruptly.

Also when going across the diagonal aim slightly before the letter, so that when you turn onto the rail it’s not too much after the letter. If that makes sense. Someone else might be able to explain it better.

I see your profile as private but if you want to see a very average amateur riding on an average moving green horse, I’m happy to send a video in all our imperfect glory. But our geography and overall rhythm got us good scores.

[eightpondfarm]

oh, Thanks!!!
i’ll reset my profile, (at one point last winter i was under siege around here )

[Lunabear1988]

Lol, I get it. The Internet can be interesting.

[eightpondfarm]

lol. I THINK i changed it back to normal. I’d love to see your PM video whenever you have the chance

[Lunabear1988]

I’m running out to lunch with my family and then going to go ride but I’ll send it this evening. I want to make a few comments to make a distinction of what I did well on the test and what needs to be improved, as I think that’s more helpful for you! So I will get it to you in a few hours!

[eightpondfarm]

thank you

[Scribbler]

You should go watch a test IRL.

[eightpondfarm]

i’ve come close…but haven’t quite gotten all the way there yet.
Went to the driveway going into one last fall, (but all the people)

so, i decided that i needed a reason to get all the way there. I’m going to try that approach, maybe.

[Syrynx]

I’ve done both Intro A and B a few times on different horses and it really is all kinds of fun.

I’ve even gone off course which is super embarrassing but the judge was super kind about it. I just get all in my head and and focus too much.

I have a video too if you’d like to see.

[eightpondfarm]

yes, please!

[Syrynx]

Ack struggling to send because it’s too big! Stand by lol

[hoopoe]

Intro A is a test for the novice horse or rider. Directives are level balance for the horse. Extra qualities would be flow geometry( rider) and calm attention. Even in training level minor errors are not penalized unless related to incorrect basics . Go, challenge yourself, have fun. If you don’t take your horse, go to a show and watch to see how it goes.

[endlessclimb]

@Lunabear1988

I think especially at intro the better your circles are and geography and rhythm the better you will do.

I’m dying imaging the judge yelling geography questions during the test. I think you meant geometry but geography is close enough and funnier