Testing Days
Written by alison short
Having recently had the pleasure of judging at both Borde Hill and Ardingly Horse Trials it made me question what inspires each individual to attain the perfect test?
For most pure dressage competitors the thought of getting it “over and done with” so we could hurl ourselves over ditches, drops and lord forbid the possibility of getting wet in the water jump makes our blood run cold!
Taking all that into consideration the art of riding on the grass, (or should I say mud) is a challenge in itself.
“William Fox Pitt showed an ability to hover across the ground as though he was riding on a forty grand arena!”
It's a worry when you have been around long enough to reminisce about the days before posh arenas at Affiliated venues Ardingly being one of them, the biggest challenge in the Elementary by the afternoon was keeping your horses shoes on.
Now in the days of waxed dust free and levelled arenas the emphasis has moved to not just perfect going but perfect surroundings, with the squeakiest seat in the crowd being scowled at along with the terrier that sets off the 4x4 alarm, but not at Horse trials!
With judges driving their cars round to their arena, clambering up slippery slopes that could only be compared to “I'm a celebrity…” challenges.
The volunteers (whom these events could not run without), parking up their rumbling trials bike to collect the score sheets, whilst the next competitor begins her canter work without a turn of her head or an indignant look from her horse.
A loose horse seems par for the course and competitors seem un ruffled, the cross country commentary kicks off and the first horse comes through the timed section adding a little tension to my next competitors test, she began with a knowing smile and after some airs above the ground finished laterally at G ish, how rewarding it was to see her pat her partner as if to say, “we'll be back next year.”
“And all this without a stick or a reader!!!”
It made me wonder to what extent this refreshingly unfazed sport would extend to, I wondered if an alienlike judge appeared with several heads would they be met with such hospitality? Probably! Don't be fazed!
Here are a few pointers to help you get the most out of your competition days
Sit in with a judge - It is such a valuable experience making you more comfortable to be in front of one next time, you will also have more awareness of technical terms and marks to be gained.
Learn where your marks are allocated by learning your test movements and where the marks are awarded you can focus on each movement for its maximum score.
Be confident in the warm-up if you are the person who yields to everyone in the warm up you may well spend your preparation time achieving very little. Left to left and all walk and halts to be off of the track, observe who is behind you when riding downward transitions, be considerate but don't be overpowered by other riders.
Don't get distracted! How often do I hear, “did you see that flash horse?” Flash horse or not I bet they didn't waste their preparation time looking around, focus on the here and now you too deserve to be competing! Put your efforts into showing off your training at its best!
Try something different; if the same old thing doesn't seem to be working why keep doing it? Try riding in without your spurs if your horse is lazy and put them on before going in, equally if you do exercises at home that work, fit them into your warm up. Try a different work pattern the day before a competition and see what works for you and your horse.
Lastly, always believe you are on the best horse!
Alison Short is a Freelance Trainer and a British Dressage Judge she is available for private tuition, clinics and advice. Call for more info 07719900275 alisonshort@btopenworld.com
