Hi all, I am starting to incorporate tests movements into my lesson with my new horse. The plan is to do a little bit several times a week, so by the itme I go to my first show, I've done everything correctly a thousand times (well, maybe a hundred times;)).
This week, we did canter on the centre line, halt, trot off, as well as halt rein back four steps, trot off. My biggest challenge is figuring out when to start the halts, as my new horse is much smaller and shorter coupled than me last one. I am either too early or too late.
Next week, we will include the same stuff as this week, as well as shoulder-in, 8 metre circle, haunches-in.
How does everyone else incorporate show ring work into their training session? It really is a much different aspect of training.
I do that all the time. Once per week I ride a warm-up and then ride through my test(s). That sorts out the strengths from the weaknesses, and helps me to keep my training focused where it needs to be.
I ride several test movements together in various ways and from both directions often, to ensure that I CAN ride them together comfortably. It's one thing to ride counter changes of hand, for instance, and quite another when you have to correctly execute the movements before and after as well. I also ride sets of movements from tests both above and below the level at which I'm competing, to ensure that our mutual comfort level with the demand is maintained. As you probably know, the transition from passage to canter in the GP test is a really tough one, so I need to know before I get to the GP level of competition just how much work needs to go into that transition and how I need to approach it. The same holds true even at Training Level, etc. One of the hardest transitions with many advanced horses is from canter to trot, it sounds simple, but it's harder to do than it looks when one's riding a really tuned-in and responsive horse!
I think one of the best ways to prepare for competition is train as though one is competing. I don't do it more than once per week, as I think the intensity can be overwhelming for horses and riders if practiced too often, but I find the process invaluable in training, and therefore, in competition.
Hi Barbara, it's a really good idea to start working test movements in to everyday work. They become more natural to do and to discover areas that you may have trouble with. Just remember to never practice the same movement in the same place in the arena. Horses have good memories and if practiced to often the start thinking for you. I like practicing my movements when I'm out on the trails too, it changes it up for the horse and makes it interesting for both of you.