5 elements where riders lose their points

British dressage expert, writer and trainer Peter Dove talks about common test rider mistakes and how to prevent them and get better marks.

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk

1. 20m circles

Peter says: “Riders have to be careful during competition and training at home when doing this element. When riders do 20 meter circles, I often see what I call “square circle”, where the shape of the element is completely wrong. Athletes either drive straight first and then turn sharply at the top of the circle, or they run up the wall too far and then turn, resulting in square.

To make a correct circle with a diameter of 20 meters, imagine that you need drive over the log. Then consider which side of the log your horse will fall on and correct it. If it is a circle riding to the left, your horse should always put his feet to the left, to keep a balance. Imagine circle inside a square – the circle will touch only four points of the square – as soon as your horse touches each point, he must move away from her immediately.. For example, if your circle starts at A, the horse should move away from the wall as soon as it is level with the letter.

You should not go into corners – after you start your circle from A, you should aim for the next point, which is 10 meters from the corner (or 4 meters from the first letter). Don’t let the horse expose the outside shoulder as you pass the top of the element. Finally, once you get back to A, straighten your horse and continue up the wall.”

2. Diagonal movement

“The most common mistake riders make when doing this element is that they come out of the corner too early. remember, that you have 6 meters in stock from the corner to the letter you should actually start moving from. Therefore, go through the turn calmly, and begin to smoothly lead the horse, touching a letter.

Don’t point your horse’s nose at the letter at the end of the diagonal – your horse is longso by the time her whole body is back on the wall, you will be in the corner. Instead, moving diagonally, find a point on the wall that is approximately on the floor of your horse’s body before the letter, and point the horse’s nose there so as not to rest directly in the corner.

3. Corners

“I advise riders not to go through corners just the way they do it. Think of the corners as ¼ of a circle. Start the turn atand 5 meters to the corner and move in a smooth line to maintain balance and rhythm».

4. Central line

“Never turn onto the center line when you reach the letter – the horse cannot turn 90 degrees! Instead, imagine again that’s a ¼ circle. Start your turn before the letter – how early depends on your horse, its size and level of subordination. Look at the letter you are driving. Don’t turn your shoulders, as you will lose balance and the horse’s outside shoulder – much more effective if you keep your shoulders parallel to the hips, and just turn your head”.

5. Give and take a rein

“The riders must stay sit straight, when they give up, don’t fall on the horse’s shoulders. The horse must “carry” yourself without the support of the rider, so the task of the rider is to show a slack rope putting your hands forward on the neck to get a higher score. Judges do not penalize if the horse slightly lowers its head and neck forward., this will only happen if the horse transfers the weight of the body too much to the front legs.

Source: https://www.horseandhound.co.uk