| Even if you are the most confident, well-prepared | | | | direct and very important impact on your horse's |
| of riders, your first dressage show can reduce | | | | progress. |
| you to nothing but a bundle of nerves. There is | | | | A week before the test:o Start paying attention |
| so much to remember, and we're not talking | | | | to details. Make sure your equipment is clean and |
| about just the test! Well, relax, we've got | | | | in good working order, and refer to the AHSA |
| everything covered. By the end of this article, | | | | rule book to make sure it's all legal. Be sure your |
| you'll be on your way to realizing your dressage | | | | clothes fit. Make a check list of everything you |
| goals in a relaxed, enjoyable manner. | | | | need to bring with you. |
| A month before the show:o Be mentally and | | | | The day before the test:o Give your horse a |
| physically prepared. Sounds obvious, but too often | | | | good once-over. Now is a good time to bathe, |
| riders enter their first dressage show without | | | | clip, and perform other grooming odds and ends. |
| asking themselves the following questions: Do I | | | | Give your tack trunk and trailer a fairly detailed |
| understand the objectives--rhythm, relaxation, and | | | | inspection to determine you've packed everything |
| suppleness--of dressage? Can we ride the | | | | you'll need.o Give yourself a good once-over. And |
| required movements in a controlled, accurate | | | | don't forget to eat well and get good night's |
| manner, and do we consistently do so at home? | | | | sleep.o Visualize the test. The night before your |
| Does the horse have the ability to stay on task, | | | | test, banish your nerves by visualizing it in your |
| and is he well-behaved?o Don't focus on your | | | | head. Banish any bad thoughts, and instead |
| nerves. If you wait to compete until you aren't | | | | concentrate on riding the perfect test in your |
| nervous about it, you'll never compete. Even | | | | brain. The next day your brain will feel |
| top-level dressage riders get nervous. Instead, | | | | "experienced," and that will help! |
| realize that a healthy case of nerves can keep | | | | The day of the test:o Find a partner-in-crime to |
| you focused on the task at hand.o Read the | | | | attend to the details. This person can check you |
| AHSA rule book. Read it twice! Many riders are | | | | in, get your number, do last-minute grooming, and |
| eliminated because they haven't taken the time to | | | | make sure that your time is freed up to |
| read the rule book and inadvertently break a rule. | | | | concentrate on the test at hand.o Check out the |
| You've worked way too hard to let that happen!o | | | | arena. Rules will prohibit you from riding in it, but |
| Begin to memorize the test. Know it front and | | | | you may be able to walk it. If this is possible, take |
| back, inside and out. Walk the test on your own | | | | advantage and walk the test on foot.o Give |
| two feet, ride the test on your horse often, draw | | | | yourself plenty of time to warm up. You want to |
| a diagram and trace it with your finger, and think | | | | be on long enough to warm up, but not on so |
| about it in your head when you are driving and | | | | long that you and your horse are tired before the |
| falling asleep. Know it in your sleep, because if you | | | | test even begins! Do the same warm-up as you |
| get in the ring and are nervous, it will be the first | | | | do at home, so something feels familiar!o Arrive |
| thing you forget.o Arrange for someone to read | | | | early. Get to the arena well before the whistle |
| for you. If you suffer from the type of nerves | | | | blows, and give yourself and your horse a |
| that empties your brain of everything you've | | | | once-over to determine that everything is in |
| learned since birth including, unfortunately, the | | | | order. If you have a friend or family member |
| dressage test you've memorized, then find a | | | | there, ask them to look you over as well.o Focus |
| friend or family member who will read it to you.o | | | | on your horse. And not on your nerves. If you |
| Get a good coach. Practice doesn't make perfect, | | | | focus on your horse and not yourself, everything |
| perfect practice makes perfect. Ride with your | | | | will fall into place.o Bring your sense of humor to |
| instructor as often as you can afford to. Your | | | | the ring. Everything will not be perfect. Be |
| coach will be able to gauge your position and your | | | | competitive and give your personal best, but keep |
| ability to use your aids correctly, which will have a | | | | everything in perspective. |