Earning the marks

In this new series Jane Kidd will look at points that could will look at points that could earn or at least not lose marks earn or at least not lose marks for competitors. Fundamental for competitors. Fundamental to all the points are the to all the points are the basics. The majority of the basics. The majority of the marks are given for the rhythm, suppleness, marks are given for the rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and at the more advanced levels, collection (the training scales).

The FEI, the global directors of standards in dressage print in bold in their Guidelines: The basic principles must always prevail and these are to fulfi l the re uirements of the training scale.

The training scales appropriate to the level of the test are the main mark earners/losers and the clearer they are established the easier it will be to ride accurately. The establishment of the basics is, however, a long term progressive process and many marks can be earned through greater precision in the test.

LEFT: PERFECTING THE HALT WILL EARN A COMPETITOR MANY MARKS OVER THE YEARS AS THEY ARE PART OF EVERY TEST AT ALL LEVELS AND ACCUMULATING UP TO 30 MARKS IN AN INDIVIDUAL TEST.

• An even contact, no tilting, resistance or head being moved from side • An even contact, no tilting, resistance or head being moved from side to side, neck straight • Fluency, consistent tempo • Straightness, quarters under horse and not to one side. • Straightness, quarters under horse and not to one side. • On the centre line and no wobbling. concerning straightness: see if the saddle has slipped to one side and make it central again; stand up in the stirrups and as you return ensure the seat bones are the hands hold the reins and adjust so they are at an

To reduce any tension use some breathing exercises or other

When riding around the arena, use the time productively: sharpening a lazy horse with some forward work; settling a nervous horse into a steady calming rhythm and reassuring with voice and pats; reducing tension with transitions and small circles

In the last minute preparations (usually when taking boots off ) various chec s are helpful especially concerning straightness: see if the saddle has slipped to one side and make it central again; stand up in the stirrups and as you return ensure the seat bones are central and horizontal in the saddle; look at where the hands hold the reins and adjust so they are at an equal length.

To reduce any tension use some breathing exercises or other sports psychology techniques.

When riding around the arena, use the time productively: sharpening a lazy horse with some forward work; settling a nervous horse into a steady calming rhythm and reassuring with voice and pats; reducing tension with transitions and small circles and whatever will bring out the best in your horse. nter the arena after having ta en half a do en at least) straight nter the arena after having ta en half a do en at least) straight strides which are in a clear rhythm. If you can, it’s better to turn strides which are in a clear rhythm. If you can, it’s better to turn away and establish the best possible way of going while keeping an eye away and establish the best possible way of going while keeping an eye on the time.

ABOVE: POSITIVE FORWARD RIDING DOWN THE CENTRE LINE HELPS POSITIVE FORWARD RIDING DOWN THE CENTRE LINE HELPS

TO EARN THE MARKS. MIDDLE LEFT: TO EARN THE MARKS. MIDDLE LEFT: THE TURN AT THE END OF THE

CENTRE LINE IS PART OF THE MARK AND NEEDS TO BE PREPARED FOR CENTRE LINE IS PART OF THE MARK AND NEEDS TO BE PREPARED FOR

AND COMPLETED FLUENTLY AS THIS RIDER IS SHOWING. BOTTOM AND COMPLETED FLUENTLY AS THIS RIDER IS SHOWING.

LEFT: RIDER STRAIGHTNESS AND EVEN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION IN THE LEFT: RIDER STRAIGHTNESS AND EVEN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION IN THE STIRRUPS CAN IMPACT ON THE HORSE’S ABILITY TO BE STRAIGHT. STIRRUPS CAN IMPACT ON THE HORSE’S ABILITY TO BE STRAIGHT.

Rider keeps the head up looking towards the judge at C Rider keeps the head up looking towards the judge at C with even weight in the stirrups and equal steady contact in with even weight in the stirrups and equal steady contact in

the reins. the reins.

If disaster hits and the horse is very tense, resists or similar, put that behind you and treat the next movement as if starting again.

Practice riding down the centre line at home and identify any weaknesses to be worked on.

For the judge at C it is an ideal time to see if the horse is straight. This straightness comes from riding forward into an even contact and attempts to achieve it by fi ddling with the reins can be noted by the judges. Anything more than massaging the mouth through the rein contact will, in the long term, lead to a loss of that vital forward momentum from the hindquarters.

Working on straightness is a never-ending task through all the grades, and exercises that help this are forward going work, shoulderfore, shoulder in, circles in a fi gure of eight to supple the whole body while establishing the same amount of fl e ion and bend around the inside leg to both directions.

Establishing that constant tempo is easiest if the horse is neither pulling to go faster or sluggish to slow down. Using downward transitions help the former and forward going work, taps with the whip the latter.

• Transitions in and out of the halt. Direct at Medium and above but can be progressive at the lower levels. • Immobility • Squareness from Elementary upwards but in the lower grades not so much engagement or parallel hinds are expected. • Balance. Taking more and more of the weight on the hindquarters as the tests become increasingly advanced. • Straightness • Contact

If the quarters tend to go to the left then apply a little more pressure in the left rein and ease the right. If the drift is to the right, strengthen the right contact.

Use a series of half halts for the transition in and beware any pulling back on the reins as this will tend to result in backward steps or resistance.

When the horse responds and is about to become immobile, lighten the contact as far as that constant elastic feel can be maintained.

It is important that the head and neck remain straight towards the judge, so no bending. For the tense horses a little massaging of the contact and soothing whispers can help insecurity in the contact.

Prepare the horse for the transition out, just thinking about the aids you will give helps to make him ready to respond. At the lower levels both transitions can be progressive but judges attach increasing importance to a direct transition as the levels advance.

If the horse is losing balance and resisting into and in the transitions, return to using the progressive transitions. Take some walk steps both in and out of the transitions. For the tricky canter-halt transition even some trot steps are a useful step in the early stages of advancement.

Anticipation: Practice in an arena trotting or cantering down the centre line without stopping. rogressively introduce a halt in diff erent places and if there is any anticipation ride forward without halting. Too fast a tempo/speeding up: Make transitions while riding down the centre line and or turn into small circles. Not straight: When riding down the centre line turn into shoulderfore or shoulder-in as soon as or before the hindquarters start to slip to one side. Put out two poles either side of the centre line and wide enough apart for a horse to get through easily. Aim to make halts between the poles. Not immobile in halt: Practice halting along the sides of the arena, do not worry about the squareness, focus on keeping the horse calm and relaxed. Talk to them in the halt, give them a carrot or a sugar lump. As it goes well, start halting down the centre line, using the same approach. Return to halting on the side if there is tension and immobility. Dropping poll and overbending: The key to this is getting su cient weight onto the hind uarters and establishing self-carriage, all parts of the general training. Practice going down the centre using a series of well performed half halts that lighten the forehand. When going into the halt make sure the horse is not too strong, that the rein contact is not pulling them into that loss of carriage. The seat and leg aids need to be supportive to encourage the hinds to engage.

LEFT: AT THE LOWER LEVELS LESS IMPORTANCE IS PLACED ON HALTING SQUARE OR ENGAGED. BELOW: ENGAGING INTO THE HALT BECOMES MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT AS THE TESTS ADVANCE.