Tips for the Dressage Ratings
-Know the
pyramid of training backwards and forwards—incorporate the terms in
concepts into your riding, and especially into your discussions.
-Memorize
the purpose of the levels, and incorporate the concepts into your thoughts
and discussions. Remember that each level includes the purpose of the level
before. Know the movements that are introduced at each level, and how they
relate to the purpose. Study your dressage tests, thinking about the
scores/comments in terms of the directives for each movement. Know the requirements of the movements
(how many steps in an optimal simple change? How many tracks in a shoulder
in? In a travers? How much bend/flexion should a leg-yield have? What is
the difference between medium and lengthening? What is the correct size for
a turn on the haunches?)
Training
level: to confirm that the horses muscles are supple and loose, and that he
moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with
the bit. Movements: working trot and canter on straight lines and 20 meter
circles, medium and free walk. Stretch circles (“allow the horse to chew
the reins out of the hands”). Trot work can be done sitting or posting.
1st
level (C3): To confirm that the horse, having achieved the requirements of
training level, has now developed thrust (pushing power) and has achieved a
degree of balance and thoroughness. New movements: Sitting trot,
lengthening of stride at a trot and canter. Change of lead through trot.
10-meter trot circles and 15-meter canter circles. Leg-yields in trot.
2nd
level (B): To confirm that the horse, having achieved the thrust (pushing
power) required at first level, now
shows that through additional training it accepts more weight on the
hindquarters (collection) , shows the uphill tendency required in the
medium gaits and is reliably on the bit. A greater degree of straightness
and bending, balance and thoroughness, suppleness and self-carriage is
required than at 1st level. New movements: Collected and medium
trot and canter. Shoulder-in, renvers (haunches-out), and travers (haunches
in) in trot. Simple changes (walk-canter-walk). 10 meter canter circles. Turn
on the haunches.
3rd
level (A): To confirm that the horse, having demonstrated that it has begun
to develop the uphill balance required at 2nd level,now
demonstrates increases engagement in each movement—especially in medium and
extended gaits and in the transitions to/from collected movements-rhythm,
suppleness, acceptness of the bit, thoroughness, balance, impulsion,
straightness, and collection. There must be a clear distinction within the
gaits. New movements: flying changes. Extended walk, trot, and canter.
Half-pass in trot and canter. Uberstreichen (release of inside or both
reins with no change in balance) at canter.
4th
level (upper A level): To confirm that the horse has achieved the
requirementsof 3rd level. These are tests of medium difficulty
designed to confirm that the horse has acquired a high degree of
suppleness, impulsion, thoroughness, plus a clear uphill balance and
lightness while always remaining reliably on the bit and that its movements
are straight, energetic, and cadenced with the transitions precise and
smooth. New movements (at 4-1): ultra-collected canter, collected walk,
walk pirouettes.
-Keep in
mind that a rating is not a horse show, where you can carefully control
every minute of your warmup time. Ratings, fundamentally, have long periods
of standing around, talking and watching. Some horses are very good at
relaxing and standing then going back to work, others are not. You need to
practice this at home—stop, stand on a loose rein for 5 minutes, then
figure out what it takes to put your horse back to work in as short a time
(and as smoothly) as possible.
-practice
at home narrating your rides—what you are thinking, feeling, aiding at
every moment. If I stopped you at any time, you should be able to
immediately tell me what you were doing, the goal of it, how it fit into
your larger goal for the ride (in the context of the training scale!), etc.
This running tape, condensed down, becomes your discussion for the
examiners.
-If your
warmup in unconventional, or your horse has some soundness/stiffness
problems, discuss this with the examiners BEFORE you ride. Normally you
ride for about 20 minutes before the first discussion period, and you do
not want the examiner spending that time wondering what the heck you are
thinking, or if you are aware that your horse is lame! Be very clear
upfront about anything unusual that you do, and the reasons for it.
-Be aware
of the other horses and riders. Rating require the ability to multitask—not
only do you have to ride your own horse and think about what you will say
in your discussion, you also have to be aware of the other horses, so that
if you should switch onto them, you will already have a game plan for what
you want to do. If the warm—up phase is in 2 groups and the switches are
all together, make a serious effort to watch at least part of the other
group.
-Things
you can do before the rating to help you prepare:
1. Develop your eye. Watch
videos of yourself. Watch others ride. Go to horse shows and sit in the
stands, analyzing each ride as if you were judging it. Scribe—this is
fabulous free education!
2. Develop your discussions.
Practice the “running narrative” as you ride. Practice explaining what you
are doing to both beginners and very experienced riders. Expand your vocabulary—read Dressage
Today and the USDF Connection magazine. Read the USDF Glossary of Judging
terms. Read the comments on your dressage tests. Audit clinics. Watch
online training videos.
3. Become comfortable riding
tests. Go to horse shows, or if money/logistics preclude, ride the tests at
home, for your trainer or friends. Test riding is very different from
simply schooling movements, and you have to do it enough to get comfortable
with it.
4.
Develop your seat. Ride without stirrups. Ride as many different horses as
possible. If possible, ride some highly-schooled horses. Take lunge lessons
(or alternate lunging with a friend; also good for your eye!)
GOOD LUCK!
