The title pretty much says it. How do you decide if you’re ready to move up to the next level. I showed Basic Level last year and scored quite well and consistently. Mid 60s to mid 70s at a few shows.
I feel there are some things that still need a lot of work and am making good progress on them but not sure if I should continue at Basic to work on them or move up to Level 1, add the new things and continue to work on the old things.
With those sorts of scores I would be looking at moving up, how many tests do you ride at a show? My mare is actually happier at first than she is at basic, there is more going on, and she doesn’t like to be bored.
I ride 2 tests per day. One of the venues is 2 1-day shows, Sat and Sun. The other venue I go to is one show on Sunday. I’m thinking of doing some other classes this year instead of just tests. Like eq or freestyle.
He might be happier with tests that are less boring, too. Hadn’t thought of that before you mentioned it. Thanks.
I typically do 3 a day, last year I did 2 at basic and one First, this year we will be doing one Basic and two First…the judge at the first show we did that Fergie looked happier when busier! Maybe her owner does better when more is going on, no time to over think it all.
Mine is when you’re consistently scoring well in Basic, it’s time to move up. Even if you have some stuff to work on, that’s what schooling shows are for. 
Plus it gives you a goal and something to work on and towards.
And like was mentioned, your horse will probably enjoy the challenge as well.
I looked at the Level 1 tests yesterday…had some down time waiting for the vet, who was delayed. Wow, I think tests 1 and 2 will be a challenge with the turns. I like the idea of some basic tests and some level 1 tests for a while.
That LONG leg yield from the quarterline in Level 1-1 is what’s currently killing me. I end up on the wall well before I’m supposed to.
I can from X to the correct place, what we are failing at is the quality of it…when she does it, it feels great, but le sigh I keep losing the back end…
Ahhh you are probably riding American Tests, not Canadian…must read those…see if level 1 -3 is a bear like ours…
LOL - I was thinking I can do from X fine. This one is from the quarterline at B or E, leg yield to M or H (whichever side you’re on) and then pick up the lope on that lead. It’s easy to do in a short arena, but in a full size, it’s a long leg yield in a very short lateral space.
Practice moving over 1 step and then going straight (outside leg) for a couple of strides and then move over another step. Have him listen to both legs.
The tests change quite a bit in Western Dressage from level to level, and test to test. I don’t think what score you are getting at the level before is what matters as much as if they can do what is required by the tests. For example I never bothered doing Level 1 test 2: I didn’t like the turn on the forehands and I don’t think that movement is an important test to ensure the horse is “that level”. meanwhile Level 1 test 4 asks for quite a few movements of increased difficulty.
For Test 1-1, you can up the difficulty and make a more impressive leg yield if you make your 15 meter 1/2 circle slightly early and slightly smaller, and go straight a stride before starting the leg yield. I did not find I was penalized for getting to the corner letter a stride early either. You just want it to be fluid and consistent.
That’s actually what I’ve been aiming for - to get there maybe a stride early, use that stride to rebalance, and then ask for the lope at the letter. It works really well for Remy. . We haven’t ridden it in a show yet, so we’ll see what they think.
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