“Ten Tips for Before You Start Your Test at a Dressage Competition”
(Listeners’ Choice)
By Popular Demand we have re-published this episode. Each weekend we are choosing the most listened to and commented on episodes for you to enjoy.
This interview was previously published in 2019 Wendy Barker 2 (475)
About Wendy
– If you would like to know more about Wendy then listen to her previous chat
First Chat (088) Wendy Barker
About This Episode
“Ten Tips for Before You Start Your Test at a Dressage Competition”
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“Ten Tips for Before You Start Your Test at a Dressage Competition”
1. Make sure both you & your coach know & base your training on the Training Scale
– judges use this as a baseline from which to come to their marks
2. Keep an electronic list of things to pack, & cross these off before you leave so you do not forget anything.
– Make sure you & your horse are well-presented
– you never get a second chance to make a first impression
3. Know your test inside out
– ‘chunking’ it (ie dividing it into 6 or fewer chunks) Why?
– 6 is the number of items people with a most Western upbringing can remember as they are very reliant on writing things down).
– Chunking is a great way to improve recall of the sequence of movements – this leaves your brain free to help you to present a really good test, rather than just thinking about navigating thru the movements.
4. Be training at a higher level at home & clinics than you plan to compete
– helps your confidence & your horse’s confidence
5. Try to ride the tests at Protocol Days or at the least at home several times each week beforehand
6. Set goals that help you – SMART
7. Arrive with plenty of time
– fumes in float/truck affect horses’ performance, no rushing to retain calmness, etc
8. Have a strapper (or friend) carry a bag for boots & bell boots to go in before the gear check, also with a drink (possibly with electrolytes), fly repellent, lip protector, Ventolin etc.
9. Be close by & ready to ride around the arena as soon as the previous horse leaves the arena at A
– Especially if on a looky horse, then try to go round on both reins, but also to identify any issues (fan shadows moving indoors, sunspots indoors, a slippery corner after a series of horses have completed tests on a wet day etc).
10. Have a plan of what to do as you go around the outside of the arena
– (shoulder in left/right to make your horse more supple & thru, or lots of transitions to get him sharper, or lots of med canter to energise a lazy horse).
– Decide which hand your need to carry your whip in before you approach the arena.
– Make sure you salute with the hand WITHOUT the whip & do not nod to salute every judge, just salute the C Judge (these practices make you look like an amateur). If you need the whip on both reins (eg for leg yields or for FCs) plan where you will change it (eg in the walk).
Time Stamp
00:40 – Background
01:55 – 1. Make sure both you & your coach know & base your training on the Training Scale
10:55 – 2. Keep an electronic list of things to pack, & cross these off before you leave so you do not forget anything.
13:00 – 3. Know your test inside out
16:50 – 4. Be training at a higher level at home & clinics than you plan to compete
17:52 – 5. Try to ride the tests at Protocol Days or at the least at home several times each week beforehand
21:03 – 6. Set goals that help you – SMART
22:50 – 7. Arrive with plenty of time
28:29 – 8. Have a strapper (or friend) carry a bag for boots & bell boots to go in before the gear
30:13 – 9. Be close by & ready to ride around the arena as soon as the previous horse leaves the arena at A
32:55 – 10. Have a plan of what to do as you go around the outside of the arena
35:48 – Contact details see below
Wendy’s Contact Details
Phone: 0409 065 304 or 08 9490 1425 or
+61 409 065 304 or +61 8 9490 1425
Email: wendybarker.ebtc@gmail.com
Website: www.ellisbrooktrainingcentre.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ellis-Brook-Training-Centre
Also Listen To
345 – Listeners’ Choice (088)
Music
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When Wendy is a return guest on Horse Chats, what question would you like to ask her?
(Please leave comment below)