The Dressage Tests

7/18/2012

This idea has been rolling around in my head for some time. I may not get this completely right, so read it with the proverbial grain of salt. It should also be kept in mind that my experience is only with Introductory and Training Level. However, I can appreciate First through Fourth Level and the following will eventually apply.

I really, really, really like the 2011 tests. Since I didn't ride above intro with the 2007 tests, I can't say whether the current model is worse or better, but either way, I like the 2011 tests. What I like about the tests is how ... to use a term that we toss about in education ... how scaffolded they are. When we use that term in the classroom, we mean the idea is supported from the bottom all the way to the top.

Now that I've gone through the Introductory and Training Level tests and am restarting the intro tests with Sydney, I constantly find myself saying, oh, I get why I am doing this!

Here's a baby, baby example: Intro A: enter working trot rising, medium walk at X. Intro B: enter working trot rising, halt at X. Another example: for all of the intro tests, transitions are (mostly) done between the letters. By Training Level, some of the trot transitions at done at the letters, but the canter work is still done between the letters.

Very cliché, I know, but I wish I knew then what I know now. When I first started showing Speedy in the summer of 2010, I didn't know what the purpose of the tests were. I couldn't see that the intro tests were introducing small components of the next level. Now that I've moved up a level, I can see very clearly that what I am doing at Training Level is helping prepare us for the movements at First Level.

As I was riding Sydney on Monday morning (and what a great ride he gave me!), I kept it in mind that we won't be an Intro team forever. We WILL move up. So we did our twenty meter circles focusing on rhythm and relaxation, but then we did some loopy changes of direction in anticipation of the 1-loop serpentine at Training Level. Speedy doesn't get the advantage of schooling what's ahead because I really don't know how to do what's waiting for us. But once he and I get it, you can be sure that Sydney will reap the benefits of my knowledge.

Val link

7/18/2012 01:05:44 am

The tests definitely build upon each other. From what I remember, the 2007 introductory tests did not have canter work and training level did not have the stretchy circle. First level, however, used to have a halt and reinback, but that was removed and now doesn't appear until Second Level. The 2011 tests seem to have more overlap, which is a good thing. My original dressage trainer told me that the last test in each level is slightly more challenging than the first test in the next level (she was an FEI rider) to help riders prepare for the next challenge. I think that is a wise design!

Val

7/18/2012 01:07:16 am

Oh and I like that they allow posting trot at First Level now, since a good sitting trot requires some collection and this is not really a requirement of the horse until Second Level. It makes sense.

Karen

7/18/2012 05:40:06 am

Exactly, Val. Those are even more of the reasons that I like the 2011 tests. They just seem to build in a very organized way. The intro tests of 2007 had only an A & B test with no canter. There is now a third test, C, which is similar to the old T1 test. At first, I heard comments that led me to believe the tests had been made harder, like adding canter to intro, but it seems to work for me. Maybe I won't like them so well at Second or Third, but since that's a ways off in the future, I'll enjoy where I am right now. :0)

debbie

7/20/2012 01:34:49 pm

I am just trying to get ready for second level- It is the hardest of all. My instructor says 3rd and 4th will be a breeze but...... gotta conquer all the new skills of second -might take awhile. I did first level for almost 2 yrs with my new arabian-just hope it has prepared us for the next level

7/21/2012 12:21:09 am

Debbie - thanks for sharing. You do First Level so well. Hopefully that solid foundation will get you through Second just as successfully. Your journey with your Arab gives me a god model to follow. I am trying not to rush through the levels. What would be the point? Without a solid foundation, the higher levels will be impossible to achieve!

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage