The reader begins, 

“A” Enter working trot… I go completely blank! Panic sets in as my brain is flooded with fear and anxiety. 

“X” Halt salute… “Wish I was anywhere but here!”

“C” Track left… Sudden-onset deafness… What is my reader saying?

Last week, that’s how my last test went. An overload of emotion and straight-up stress transported directly through my reins to my horse’s mouth, culminating in the worst test I’ve ever ridden. Upon reflection after reading the judge’s remarks and re-watching the YouTube video I submitted, I could see everything the judge remarked on, including “lack of straightness, too much use of the hand, and erratic transitions.” My next step, after a good cry, was to think about what had gone wrong and why. I’m not usually such a freaked-out sloppy rider, so I thought about what had gone right in previous tests and why. Suddenly, there it was, staring me in the face: I had neglected to warm up properly. I hadn’t given myself time to calm down or given my horse time to get into work mode. I had let myself get into my head before I even arrived at the barn. What a shame!

The real pity is that I had interviewed a few dressage coaches and judges last fall, who gave me some great insight about how they prepare themselves and their students to be ready to ride tests in a confident manner. The timing of the writing and publishing of this article is just ironic! So, I’d like to introduce you to the coaches, judges, and riders whose brains I picked (and then failed to heed their words of advice) about warming up your horse properly, making sure you are well-rested and that you have thought about your own well-being and nutritional needs before going down the centre line, and also how to prepare at home with your coach using your personal learning style(s).

Q&A

KIM COX

of Calgary, Alberta, is an accomplished dressage competitor, dressage competition coach specialist, and Dressage Canada recorded judge. She scribed for ten years with the Calgary Area Alberta Dressage Association.

Q

Can you tell me how you, as a rider, warm up at a show, especially when you are riding multiple tests in one day?

A

Warm-up before riding my first test:

• 10-15 minutes, walk with changes of bend, which establishes a looseness over the back, allowing the horse to reach for the bit.

• 5-10 minutes, pick up rein contact in trot, establishing rhythm and relaxation, leg yield in trot. Circles (10 m, 15 m, and 20 m) depending on the tests to be ridden. Canter work (canter/trot transitions); 2nd level or higher will do walk/canter transitions.

• 10 minutes of lateral movements.

• 8-10 minutes of walking to cool down. Trot the horse to get the horse back on the aids, ready to enter at “A” down centerline. After the test, I head back to the barn to cool down, eat, and rest, and then I take my horse for a hand walk around the grounds.

Warm up before riding test two:

• 20 minutes, do a lot of lateral work and rein back. *Note: Only warm up in canter if the horse is getting behind your leg.

Warm up before riding the third test:

This can be the toughest warm-up since the horse is already tired. You may have to get yourself more jazzed up to keep both you and the horse energized. Note: In the second level and up, only ride a maximum of two tests because the tests are much longer than they are at the lower levels.

• 15 minutes, do forward and back work. Circles (1/2 circle collected trot, half circle medium trot). Trot, canter, or walk canter transitions on the half circles. Collected walk to medium walk on half circles. End the warmup with a stretchy trot.

Q

Are there any other bits of advice you would like to offer?

A

Don’t override the test. Relax and breathe. Don’t ride the test in the warm-up ring. Understand the nature of your horse. Don’t ever throw something new at your horse at a show. Show your horse, not yourself. If you’re worried, ride a lower-level test so you can be calm and relaxed.

IDA NORRIS

USEF “S” Dressage Judge, USEF “R” Western Dressage Judge, World Championships Western Dressage Judge. Ida is currently competing in working equitation, western dressage; she also coaches and is a clinician.

Q

From a judge’s point of view, what advice would you give to dressage riders?

A

Read the complete test. Many riders just read the test pattern portion, but reading the directives column will let you know exactly what the judge is looking for in each section of the test. Many riders just ride the pattern and lose valuable marks because they didn’t read what the judge was looking for.

Q

What is one of your best bits of advice for your own dressage students?

A

Bad nutrition and dehydration are key elements that can really hurt your performance on show day. Dehydration affects your memory and your muscles! Keep hydrated! Breakfast shouldn’t be a cup of Tim’s and a donut; instead, have some peanut butter and a banana or some cheese. Complex carbs and protein will boost your memory and keep your legs from shaking as you ride your test. Eat a healthy snack one hour before you ride for optimum performance. I realize that nervousness can lead to not eating and drinking, but I encourage my students to eat even a small amount and drink small sips of water all day long.

Q

What strategies do you use to learn tests, and is it important to memorize your tests?

A

Yes! Even though you can have a reader, it’s important to know your test because your reader may make a mistake, and if you know your test, you can easily continue the test by memory.

I asked another Alberta coach what her thoughts were about different learning styles and how she accommodates her students when it comes to learning dressage tests.

INGRID SCHULZ 

started her riding career in Germany and competed against Ingrid Klimke, Michael Jung, and many other German team members. In 2013, she moved to Alberta, Canada, and started working at Meadowview in Sherwood Park, Alberta. In 2016, she became a permanent resident of Canada.

Q

Do you accommodate the different learning styles of your students when preparing them to ride dressage tests?

A

Yes! There are different ways of memorizing a test. One could read a test several times and then repeat it out loud to yourself or your instructor. Also, one could handwrite a test in longhand and then continue to read it over and over to one’s self. Another method of memorizing is to write “notes to remember” beside each movement.

For example:

“V” Medium walk…” (Three steps before K half halt: straighten the upper body, use the lower leg, and trot.)

“K” working trot…” (Use the outside rein; the inside leg stays at the girth; put the outside leg slightly further back; and go into the corner; prepare to canter at “A”); “A” working canter left lead.”

This method also helps with riding a test correctly. The worst feeling in the ring is when you arrive at a letter and realize you should already be performing the movement. Then you get stressed because you are late. I always say to my students that it is better to start the movement early than late!

Q

Do you have a particular warm-up style or routine?

A

I have followed a method through the years that has worked best for me. In my training at home, I sometimes just “trot” through the whole test several times to get a good feel and help me remember the test. It’s a gentle way of getting used to the lines, movements, and rhythm of the test without being stressful for the horse or rider. Then, I rely on my routine to get me through the rest. As a show routine, I recommend reading one or more times through the test before you go on the horse and implementing test movement patterns in your warm-up. This will help you figure out how your horse is feeling that day, and as a rider, you can check yourself to see if you remember the test. Usually someone takes my test book for me to the warm-up ring because sometimes I get a little insecure when I go through the test in my warm-up, and I’ll have a look in the book or ask one of the other competitors.

Q

Any last bits of advice?

A

You should develop a routine that you follow every time you go to a show. Some use simulated show days at home or training shows to develop the routine that works for them.

After speaking with Ingrid, I was curious about how many learning styles there might be. So, I googled learning styles, and there were loads of websites that explained how athletes learn their sport. I found a few that even explained the most common learning styles of equestrian athletes. Cool!

If you would like to learn more, just Google “the learning styles of equestrian athletes.” 

Here is a summary of what I learned

Visual learners

Learn best by watching YouTube videos, watching other riders ride tests, and then riding them themselves.

Verbal learners 

Learn best through listening; they can write out instructions in detail for their tests.

Social learners 

Thrive in a group setting with their peers.

Solitary learners

Thrive as an individual athlete. They feel confident studying the tests on their own. They will use self-study when learning something new and then like to discuss their findings with their peers and coaches.

Physical learners

These riders learn tests and patterns by riding them. Many athletes are physical learners who learn by doing. Most equestrian learners, according to what I read, can use a combination of learning styles, and coaches can further simplify this coaching method.

Tips

SEE one (visual): watch a demonstration or a YouTube video of a test

DO one (physical): ride the test

TEACH one (social or solitary) and teach another rider or riders to solidify their knowledge of the test

There you have it, so many great ideas about success with riding dressage tests using warm-up techniques that you develop with your coach based on your needs and your horse’s needs. Making sure you are well-rested, well-fed, and stay hydrated at shows, along with knowing your learning styles and using them to your advantage.

Article by Laureen James,

Photography of Matt Gingras by Mary Reimers, photography of Zack Straker provided by Zack

About Laureen

Laureen James, BCom, Journalist, EC/NCCP Coach Certification IOB. Laureen is an equine journalist who writes for many publications. She also writes for the pet industry and is a columnist for Unison 50+ News. She has covered rodeos and related events over the past few years as a journalist and photographer.