So what would you include in new dressage tests? (Spinoff)

[frugalannie]

I read the thread about dislike of the Training level tests and began to wonder: if it were up to me, how would I design the test? So I thought I'd open it up to the group.

For me, I'd love to see a figure 8 in long and low trot. Is the horse balanced enough to change direction long and low? I also love serpentines, but it's hard to do a serpentine in three loops in a small ring. I think I'd like a canter with lengthening down the long side transitioning to a working canter circle (at least in test A).

Anyone else have any ideas?

[deltawave]

Walk, halt, and the lengthened trot. Leave everything else out--we'll be winning in no time. :D :D

[GBTeventing]

It's not really disliking the movements in the test, it's the way they are put together. Like the one poster said, it feels like you never stop asking your horse questions (in B).

First thing I would do is put the test in a large arena! Kidding, I'm quite sure this would never happen but that's what *I* want.

I wouldn't mind a figure eight in a stretchy trot though I doubt they would put it in there because it would take a while for a single movement. I agree with a canter lengthening down the long side, maybe with a segue into a 15 meter circle or half loop returning to the rail and some point and trotting. That would start to introduce counter-canter as seen in the prelim test.

I would keep the trot lengthening on the diagonal so you have enough space but not make it directly after the walk. Maybe instead of serpentines at the trot, trot a loop to X and back like Training Level test 4 (I think, can't really remember).

I don't know, as long as the tests are more balanced in how and what they ask they can even make the questions more challenging. This goes for all the tests but most particularly BN-A, TR-B, PR-A. I actually don't mind riding prelim A but it is a b*tch to scribe for.

[Hilary]

I don't mind the movements so much as some of the sequences. They are easier to remember when you do things the same - like circle at A and A or at A and C, but not A and B.

And show lengthening across the diagonal off both reins.

I do like not halting in the beginning.

Training B in particular lacks any kind of symmetry or flow after the 2 trot circles. Then you canter (fine) but then the change of diagonal/trot to stretchy circle then canter again? And circle at B?

I suppose they are testing that you can do something between canters, and that you can lengthen on a circle and keep it at 20m when not confined to the end of the ring, but it just doesn't flow. The first time I watched it I got lost!

I love the first 2 first level tests. And totally agree that the large arena rocks. Especially at Prelim.

And a second about how about asking for canter loops - like Training 4 has, before you get to prelim and bam, need full counter canter.

[FrittSkritt]

For BN: get rid of those stupid half diagonals in Test A!

[yellowbritches]

For BN: get rid of those stupid half diagonals in Test A!
Ditto!!! I've done that test on a horse that was basically a 3rd level dressage horse, and STILL found them hard!

For me, the biggest thing is that they flow, make sense, and, especially at training and below, the movements are set up to be successful, not ridiculously hard. So, in BN A, the free walk, to trot at K, to center line at A is not something I consider a set of movements that are designed to to be successful for a green horse and/or rider. It is very hard (I actually rode that test at home on the kid's pony, and while he's very good for me, he still really struggled with it). At novice, there is a free walk, to trot at M, I think, to canter at C, or between M and C or C and H, and it is NOT an easy move for a novice horse or rider to do. Hate it. Get rid of it. At training, I hate having to go from long and low to canter, or free walk, working trot, to lengthen trot. None of those are set up to be super successful for a green horse or rider. Don't get me wrong...I don't think dressage tests should be dead easy (except at BN), but I do think, especially at the lower levels, they should be written in such a way that allow the horse and rider to feel like they succeeded at the movement.

I would also turn the canter lengthening at training into a long side instead of a circle. I HATE that movement! And I'd get rid of the walk to canter transistion at prelim. Hate that move, too.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I'd get rid of the damn small rings.....and maybe add some jumps;)

[asterix]

I like the shallow loop idea in Training before you have to show full counter canter.
Personally, I'd get rid of all the walk work :D.

I think the gap between T and P is too large. I'd REQUIRE sitting trot in T-B -- for god's sake, you have to sit a lengthening in prelim, so better start practicing!!!
I'd also make you do 10 m trot circles in T-B. For one thing, I can NEVER EVER get the 15 m circles right (and have a such-a-near-miss-for-the-tricolor ribbon from the AECs to prove it :lol::lol:) -- but, again, at Prelim, you have not only 10 m trot circles but a 10 meter canter teardrop!!! So, give us some prep, please.

Agree on those ridiculous half diagonals in BN! Out, I say, out!

[caevent]

Agree with everyone else re: lack of flow. I also would add that there needs to be a smoother progression of difficulty. How can we go from 20m canter circles at training to 10m canter circles, counter canter, and changes of lead through the trot at prelim? Why are we only asking to see a walk-canter transition on the right lead and not the left at prelim? Why are we asking to see halt-reinback when we have not yet asked for halt-immobility-medium walk? I could go on and on!:no:

[Jeannette, formerly ponygyrl]

I would put the initial halts back in. It's what you DO when you enter a dressage ring - or dojo, or probably fencing school - you enter, salute the judge and/or your opponent and or your teacher, depending on the sport.

still can't believe they took stretchy trot oout of Novice tests. It'd sn important concept. People weren't doing it well. So don't remove it from tests - make it a coefficient movement!!!

Absolutely, have tests with symmetry and flow, so you do something at trot, something at canter, then change direction and repeat the pattern the other way. Write them so they flow, not so they have exactly 16 movements...

[Maya01]

LOL I have thought long and hard about changing the tests in hopes that someday I will...though I am sure many of you would not approve of my hopes for dressage in eventing...

Entry: I'd keep the same.
Pre-Training: Three loop serpentine, 15m circles
Training: 10m circles(trot) 15m circles (canter) Leg yield, the beginning of shoulder-in, lengthening
Prelim (I haven't read these tests much): Simple Changes, shoulder in, travers, 8m volte(trot), 10m volte(canter), Beginning of half pass, true extentions
Intermediate(again, haven't read these much): Flying Changes, half pass, renvers, 8m volte (canter), true extentions
Advanced: Renvers, half pirouettes(if the horse was really using it's behind, this would be attainable...)

Obviously this is slightly unrealistic, but I think in order to have a better sport, we need a better basis, meaning a better overall horse and rider. Like, if you get a 70+ in dressage, maybe you should re-think XC or SJ...I'm just saying, one can come to many problems with a horse that can't balance themselves :yes:

[BlueRidgeEventer]

I'd like to see leg yield put back in, maybe even at novice. Why not have some lateral work before we start asking for a lengthening to get us thinking and our horse's butts working. I dunno, maybe I'm nuts ...

[Duramax]

I'd like to see a big spook required. :winkgrin: