How To Dressage

Main Menu

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Article Categories
    • The Scales of Training
    • Dressage Theory
    • For The Rider
    • The Horse’s Paces
    • Dressage Movements
    • Dressage Competition
    • Horse Care
    • Dressage Troubleshooting
    • Interviews with GP Riders
  • Our Book Range
  • Our Podcast
  • FREE STUFF!

logo

How To Dressage

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Article Categories
    • The Scales of Training
    • Dressage Theory
    • For The Rider
    • The Horse’s Paces
    • Dressage Movements
    • Dressage Competition
    • Horse Care
    • Dressage Troubleshooting
    • Interviews with GP Riders
  • Our Book Range
  • Our Podcast
  • FREE STUFF!
Dressage Competition
Home›Dressage Competition›How to Improve Your Dressage Test Accuracy

How to Improve Your Dressage Test Accuracy

By How To Dressage
May 11, 2020
1007
0


Even if your horse is still in the early stages of his dressage career, you can easily pick up extra marks by being more accurate, whatever level you are riding at.

In this article, we explain how to improve your accuracy when riding a dressage test, as well as giving you lots of helpful tips and tricks to boost your marks.

Why is accuracy important in dressage?

Dressage tests are designed to test specific elements of a horse’s training for the level at which he is working and competing.

For example, if a test has lots of small circles included in the program, the judge is looking to see if the horse has sufficient suppleness and balance to be obedient to the rider’s aids and to negotiate the movements accurately.

If the horse is trained and ridden well, the test can be accurate and meet the requirements of the test.

An occasional small loss of accuracy, such as cutting a corner or making a transition slightly late or early to the prescribed marker, is not a big deal. However, if you continue to ride inaccurately throughout the test, you will be marked down.

What does inaccuracy tell the dressage judge?

If a trot circle should be 15-meters and placed at “A,” but you ride an 18-meter circle that’s slightly off-center and egg-shaped, that tells the judge that the horse is not sufficiently supple or submissive to your aids to negotiate a circle of the correct size in the correct place.

The mark that you will receive for an inaccurate movement depends on the difficulty of the exercise and the level of the test. In the above example, you would most likely be awarded a mark of 5 at novice level.

The judge will be able to see whether the inaccuracy is due to your own error, poor riding, or the horse’s lack of suppleness and balance, and the judge will make a comment accordingly.

If the horse remains in a good rhythm, shows a uniform bend around the circle, and keeps his balance, the inaccuracy is most likely caused by the rider failing to plan for the exercise and riding it badly.

However, if the horse’s neck is overbent to the inside of the circle so that he falls out through his shoulder, producing a poorly shaped circle of the wrong size, the judge will see that either the horse lacks sufficient suppleness to perform the exercise accurately or the rider’s aids were incorrect or poorly applied.

Accurate transitions

When you ride a transition, the moment of the change of pace should take place when your body passes the marker.

Often, transitions occur either slightly too early or too late. That happens because the rider has failed to prepare for the transition and asks too late, or the horse is slow to react to the rider’s aids.

Errors vs. inaccuracy

A common inaccuracy that judges see in dressage tests is when a rider overshoots the marker, particularly when riding a test in a long arena.

For example, an exercise asks for the rider to show medium trot from “R” to “K” on the right rein. However, the rider leaves the track a few strides after “M,” arriving on the other side of the arena a couple of steps after “V.” So, the judge is then left wondering whether the rider has gone off the wrong marker or has merely been inaccurate.

In a case like that, the rider may be penalized for an error of course, in which case 2 marks will be deducted from their total score.

Some judges will also give an error of course for other inaccuracies. So, if a circle should be 10-meters but you ride one that’s closer to 15-meters, the judge may ring the bell and stop you, ask you to repeat the 10-meter circle, and deduct two marks for an error.

Again, if you are asked to show a trot-walk-trot transition with 2-4 walk steps, but you ride six walk steps, you may be asked to repeat the movement and be given an error of course.

How to improve accuracy

Although you can’t improve your horse’s way of going overnight, you can take steps to be more accurate in your test riding.

Begin by learning the dimensions of a dressage arena.

Learn where each marker is and the distance between them. For example, the arena is 20-meters wide. Therefore, a 10-meter circle or loop must touch the centerline, and a 20-meter circle must touch both long sides of the arena.

Next, make sure that you understand the requirements of the test by studying the dressage test sheet and learning the exercises.

Some people find it helpful to use a piece of paper to draw the test as they would ride it, whereas others prefer to mark out an arena on the floor of their living room and walk through the test.

Once you have the test plan clear in your mind, you need to practice riding it accurately from the saddle.

If you don’t have a marked-out arena to ride in, use cones or buckets to indicate where the letters are, and mark an arena using poles on the ground.

Related Read: How to Accurately Set up a Dressage Arena

If you’re accustomed to riding randomly during your schooling sessions, you’ll find it quite a culture shock when you make yourself ride accurately! However, being disciplined at home is crucial if you’re to perform accurately in the dressage arena on competition day.

Accuracy improves your horse’s way of going

If you ride accurate exercises, you can improve your horse’s longitudinal and lateral balance. (You can read more about that in this article)

When the horse works in a consistent rhythm around a circle, he builds strength and suppleness. Even basic figures, such as long diagonals and 20-meter circles, can help to balance the horse.

When the figures become more challenging, such as four-loop serpentines and 10-meter circles, the horse has to shift his weight back to enable him to maneuver around the exercises, and he must become more supple laterally so that he can follow the required bend.

A simple test for the accuracy of your circles

A simple way of testing the accuracy of your circles is to count the strides between each point of the circle.

Your horse should take the same number of strides in each quarter of the circle. If there’s a variance, make sure that the line of the circle is maintained and that the horse’s tempo and rhythm are consistent.

Tips and tricks to ride accurately

Here are a few handy tips and tricks that will help you to ride an accurate dressage test.

Tip #1

Don’t cut corners!

Shaving a meter off the arena here and there by allowing your horse to drift in through the corners will leave you less time and space to prepare for the next exercise.

Corner-cutting also makes your riding look sloppy and unprofessional to the judge!

Related Reads:

  • How to Stop Your Horse From Falling In
  • How to Ride Good Corners

Tip #2

Remember to start and finish circles when your body passes the marker.

When riding a 20-meter circle at the “A” or “C” end of the arena, don’t go right into the corners, or you risk producing a square or an egg!

Make sure that your circle is indeed a circle!

Related Reads:

  • How to Ride a Good Circle
  • How to Get Your Horse to Bend
  • How to Ride From Your Inside Leg to Your Outside Rein
  • What is the Difference Between Bend and Flexion?

Tip #3

When riding at home, use cones to mark the four points of the circle and ride to them. That will help you to understand what riding an accurate circle should feel like so that you can replicate that in the arena on test day.

Now, ride an accurate circle without using the cones. Remember to count the number of strides your horse takes between each point of the circle.

Tip #4

If the test asks you to halt for four seconds, count slowly to make sure that you don’t make the halt too brief.

Similarly, if you are asked to walk for two to four steps, count the steps!

Related Reads:

  • How to Ride a Good Halt
  • How to Stop Your Horse From Resting a Hind Leg in Halt
  • How to Stop Your Horse From Jogging When They Should be Walking

Tip #5

Too often, riders go through the whole test with their head down, seemingly focused on their horse’s ears!

Look up and ahead of you.

Look around every circle to make sure that it’s the correct size and shape. As your head turns, so do your shoulders, which in turn makes your hips follow suit, helping to turn the horse and bend him around your inside leg.

Also, if you look ahead to the next marker, you will find it much easier to plan for upcoming transitions and changes of direction.

Related Reads:

  • The Correct Position For Dressage
  • How to Improve Your Dressage Position
  • How to Prepare Your Horse for Transitions

In conclusion

An accurately ridden test presents a professional, competent picture to the dressage judge.

Accuracy also demonstrates that the horse is sufficiently supple and balanced to perform the exercises demanded in the test.

If you have any questions, or any other hints and tips that you would like to share with us, please do so in the comments below.

Related Reads: 

  • How Dressage Work Can Keep Your Horse Sound
  • 3 Exercises to Help Improve Your Dressage Horse’s Suppleness and Balance
  • How to Develop Balance and Symmetry in Both Horse and Rider
  • How to Improve Your Horse’s Suppleness

Previous Article

How Dressage Work Can Keep Your Horse ...

Next Article

How to Identify and Manage Ringworm

How To Dressage

How To Dressage

We are an information blog breaking down the How To's of dressage. All of our articles are put together by British Dressage judges to help you train your horse correctly, get higher scores and win your next dressage competition.

Related articles More from author

  • Rules of the School when Warming up at a Competition how to dressage
    Dressage Competition

    Rules You Must Follow When Warming up at a Dressage Competition

    February 18, 2018
    By How To Dressage
  • How to Handle a Less Than Perfect Warm-up Arena at a Dressage Competition how to dressage
    Dressage Competition

    How to Handle a Less Than Perfect Warm-up Arena at a Dressage Competition

    December 14, 2018
    By How To Dressage
  • How to Plan Dressage Freestyle to Music in 7 Steps how to dressage
    Dressage Competition

    How to Plan Dressage Freestyle to Music in 7 Steps

    September 20, 2018
    By How To Dressage
  • How to Understand a British Dressage Test Sheet
    Dressage Competition

    How to Understand a British Dressage Test Sheet

    January 5, 2021
    By How To Dressage
  • How Long to Warm up for Before a Dressage Test How to dressage
    Dressage Competition

    How Long to Warm up for Before a Dressage Test

    February 14, 2018
    By How To Dressage
  • How to Remember a Dressage Test How to dressage
    Dressage Competition

    How to Remember a Dressage Test

    December 11, 2018
    By How To Dressage

Leave a reply Cancel reply

WANT MORE?

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • suppleness of the joints dressage

    How to Improve ‘Suppleness of the Joints’ for Dressage

    By How To Dressage
    April 6, 2021
  • mental suppleness in horse and rider dressage

    How to Improve Mental Suppleness in Both Horse & Rider

    By How To Dressage
    March 30, 2021
  • longitudinal suppleness over the back stretching dressage

    How to Improve Your Horse’s Longitudinal Suppleness

    By How To Dressage
    March 23, 2021
  • how to improve your horse's lateral suppleness dressage bend

    How to Improve Your Horse’s Lateral Suppleness

    By How To Dressage
    March 16, 2021
  • How to Get Your Horse to Track-Up and Overtrack Dressage

    How to Get Your Horse to Track-Up & Overtrack

    By How To Dressage
    March 9, 2021
  • How to Create Cadence in the Dressage Horse

    How to Create Cadence in the Dressage Horse

    By How To Dressage
    March 2, 2021
  • How to Transition Between Piaffe and Passage Dressage

    How to Transition Between Piaffe and Passage

    By How To Dressage
    February 23, 2021
  • Dressage Training Plan

    How to Structure a Dressage Training Plan for Your Horse

    By How To Dressage
    February 13, 2019
  • how to create the ideal arena surface footing for dressage

    How to Create the Ideal Arena Surface Footing for Dressage

    By How To Dressage
    October 31, 2019
  • How to Import a Dressage Horse

    How to Import a Dressage Horse (from Europe to the U.S.)

    By How To Dressage
    October 19, 2019
  • How to Fit Horse's Noseband

    How to Fit Your Horse’s Noseband

    By How To Dressage
    October 5, 2019
  • How to Safely Ride and Lead horses

    How to Safely Ride and Lead

    By How To Dressage
    March 13, 2019
  • How to Keep a Consistent Rein Contact How to dressage

    How to Keep a Consistent Rein Contact

    By How To Dressage
    June 13, 2018
  • How to Ride a Good Trot-Canter Transition how to dressage

    How to Ride a Good Trot-Canter Transition

    By How To Dressage
    May 1, 2018
  • How To Dressage
    How To Dressage
    on
    April 5, 2021

    How to Ride a 10-Meter Circle

    Hello Amanda, Thank you ...
  • Avatar
    Amanda Harper
    on
    April 4, 2021

    How to Ride a 10-Meter Circle

    I am delighted to ...
  • How To Dressage
    How To Dressage
    on
    March 24, 2021

    How to Develop Your Horse’s Engagement in the Canter

    Hello Sarah, So glad ...
  • How To Dressage
    How To Dressage
    on
    March 24, 2021

    How to Develop Self-Carriage

    Hello Liz, Thank you ...
  • Avatar
    Sarah Houldey
    on
    March 24, 2021

    How to Develop Your Horse’s Engagement in the Canter

    I think your howtodressage ...
  • Avatar
    Liz Steele
    on
    March 23, 2021

    How to Develop Self-Carriage

    How would you begin ...
  • How To Dressage
    How To Dressage
    on
    February 15, 2021

    How to Keep Your Horse Straight

    Thanks so much! :)

Article Categories

  • Dressage Competition (28)
  • Dressage Movements (45)
  • Dressage Theory (53)
  • Dressage Troubleshooting (46)
  • For The Rider (32)
  • Horse Care (39)
  • Interviews with Grand Prix Riders (8)
  • The Horse's Paces (23)
  • The Scales of Training (8)

Free Email Courses

how to dressage newbie email course

how to dressage scales of training email course

how to dressage competition email course

WANT MORE?

Useful Pages

Home
About us
View Our Book Range
Join Our Facebook Group
FREE STUFF!
Contact Us

See our social side

Our Podcast

how to dressage podcast
Copyright © 2018-2021 How To Dressage
Privacy Policy
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links that are included on this website are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. If you would like to support this website in some way, using these links will help you do exactly that. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT