Dressage

barrel_racer64 · 05-29-2006, 06:39 AM

Hi guys. I am 100% barrel racer, but I thought it would be cool to try a couple of dressage tests with my horse that I am training. (In a western saddle). Do you guys think that this is a good idea? I will let you know how it goes. Also, do you have any tips on how to memorize the tests?

morgangirl · 05-29-2006, 07:37 AM

Well barrelracer, I have never seen a dressage test done in a western saddle, so that would be something quite different. The best way to memorize the test is to walk it a few times. Also, just break it down into components. I am assuming you are only doing the first couple of training tests. They are pretty straight forward. Have fun! I would like to see that. Your horse should be awesome on the loose rein part!

Kissitgoodbye · 05-29-2006, 07:41 AM

Honestly a dressage judge would not expect a western saddle. Its actually in the rule I believe to have proper equipment.

You horse would do well long and low. But the western saddle is a big no no

Cara · 05-29-2006, 09:08 AM

doing a couple dressage tests with him could be fun - but see if you can borrow a saddle from a friend or something...just for the week of the show,..

barrel_racer64 · 05-30-2006, 10:02 AM

Actually, I have an english saddle, I dont know if I would go to any shows, just try it around the house. I havent really decided yet. My friend is going to go to a few this summer, and I was going to maybe go watch one or two. I dont know if my dad would shoot me, ground me, or just chew me out. He is completely against me doing english. He was mad when he found out that I had bought an english saddle. Oh well, I will see how it goes.

One thing is for sure, I wouldnt care wether or not I got disqualified, so, I might just think about using the western saddle anyway, or I might decide to follow the rules and use my english saddle. Thanks for the comments and keep them comming.

barrel_racer64 · 05-30-2006, 10:04 AM

Maybe I will have it video-ed and post it if I do. If not, I think I will get some pictures. Maybe I will talk my friend into going to one really soon and get my dad to take Tex. Thats a good idea.

Could anyone pm me some of the rules? Or tell me where I could down load them for free? Thanks.

Oh yea, do they have jumping at any of the little dressage shows, or is it just dressage? Tex is a good jumper too.

CowGirlUp1833 · 05-30-2006, 10:13 AM

Yes! Dressage can help any horse or rider. Its a great tool for those of us in other diciplines as well! I learned SOOO much in my dressage lessons that is now making me a better Hunter rider!

KZWestern · 05-30-2006, 12:57 PM

Well, ok, do you mean just try one at home? Heck, I do dressage in a Western saddle at home quite often just cuz I don't want to get my dressage saddle dirty. As far as "tests" go, any Western rider can walk, trot and canter in straight lines and circles... the difference is the horse's frame and carriage (Obviously it's not so easy for the more advanced levels however, which you wouldn't be doing anyhow). So, if all you want to do is see if you can go from A, halt at X and salute then why not? But if you want to compete or really do DRESSAGE in it's true essence and purpose then you'll need to do quite a bit of training both for yourself and your horse and you'll need a dressage saddle... which I'm not sure you want to do.

SammyDoodle · 05-30-2006, 01:15 PM

I do prelim tests in a close contact jumping saddle - so I dont see any reason you cannot do unaffilated tests in a western saddle,

I think tho your problem might be the contact issue. I dont ride western but I dont think you ride the horse into a contact that feels like you are holding a 2lb bag of sugar in each hand - lol

However - if you are accurate at your markers and your horse is in a nice rhythm you can not get marked down too much so I would go for it - it can only be fun to give it a try

Oh - and as far a learning the test - dont worry about that too much - just write it down a few times to get it into your head so you do know it - but you are allowed to have someone read the test for you while you are at the competition - I always have a reader - even tho I know the test - it just gives me one less thing to worry about!

barrel_racer64 · 06-03-2006, 11:01 AM

Thanks keep the tips and comments comming. My friend is looking for a new horse, and so I might not make it to the competition for at least a couple more weeks. Any other ideas for memorizing a test? Anybody?

05-29-2006, 06:39 AM	#1
barrel_racer64 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Somewheres in the U.S. Boonievilles Posts: 1,488 Images: 109	Dressage Hi guys. I am 100% barrel racer, but I thought it would be cool to try a couple of dressage tests with my horse that I am training. (In a western saddle). Do you guys think that this is a good idea? I will let you know how it goes. Also, do you have any tips on how to memorize the tests? __________________ Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing! May we thank heaven for our horses and our friends. love my baby Tex!

05-29-2006, 07:41 AM	#3
Kissitgoodbye Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,704 Images: 69 Blog Entries: 4	Honestly a dressage judge would not expect a western saddle. Its actually in the rule I believe to have proper equipment. You horse would do well long and low. But the western saddle is a big no no __________________ go hard or go home, show season is upon us!

05-29-2006, 09:08 AM	#4
Cara Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 4,156 Images: 27	doing a couple dressage tests with him could be fun - but see if you can borrow a saddle from a friend or something...just for the week of the show,.. __________________ ~It Depends~ Cara

05-30-2006, 10:02 AM	#5
barrel_racer64 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Somewheres in the U.S. Boonievilles Posts: 1,488 Images: 109	Actually, I have an english saddle, I dont know if I would go to any shows, just try it around the house. I havent really decided yet. My friend is going to go to a few this summer, and I was going to maybe go watch one or two. I dont know if my dad would shoot me, ground me, or just chew me out. He is completely against me doing english. He was mad when he found out that I had bought an english saddle. Oh well, I will see how it goes. One thing is for sure, I wouldnt care wether or not I got disqualified, so, I might just think about using the western saddle anyway, or I might decide to follow the rules and use my english saddle. Thanks for the comments and keep them comming. __________________ Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing! May we thank heaven for our horses and our friends. love my baby Tex!

05-30-2006, 10:04 AM	#6
barrel_racer64 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Somewheres in the U.S. Boonievilles Posts: 1,488 Images: 109	Maybe I will have it video-ed and post it if I do. If not, I think I will get some pictures. Maybe I will talk my friend into going to one really soon and get my dad to take Tex. Thats a good idea. Could anyone pm me some of the rules? Or tell me where I could down load them for free? Thanks. Oh yea, do they have jumping at any of the little dressage shows, or is it just dressage? Tex is a good jumper too. __________________ Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing! May we thank heaven for our horses and our friends. love my baby Tex!

05-29-2006, 07:37 AM	#2
morgangirl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,231 Images: 50	Well barrelracer, I have never seen a dressage test done in a western saddle, so that would be something quite different. The best way to memorize the test is to walk it a few times. Also, just break it down into components. I am assuming you are only doing the first couple of training tests. They are pretty straight forward. Have fun! I would like to see that. Your horse should be awesome on the loose rein part!

05-30-2006, 10:13 AM	#7
CowGirlUp1833 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: On the Lake Michigan Shoreline Posts: 17,367 Images: 438 Blog Entries: 41	Yes! Dressage can help any horse or rider. Its a great tool for those of us in other diciplines as well! I learned SOOO much in my dressage lessons that is now making me a better Hunter rider!

05-30-2006, 12:57 PM	#8
KZWestern Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,752 Images: 50	Well, ok, do you mean just try one at home? Heck, I do dressage in a Western saddle at home quite often just cuz I don't want to get my dressage saddle dirty. As far as "tests" go, any Western rider can walk, trot and canter in straight lines and circles... the difference is the horse's frame and carriage (Obviously it's not so easy for the more advanced levels however, which you wouldn't be doing anyhow). So, if all you want to do is see if you can go from A, halt at X and salute then why not? But if you want to compete or really do DRESSAGE in it's true essence and purpose then you'll need to do quite a bit of training both for yourself and your horse and you'll need a dressage saddle... which I'm not sure you want to do. __________________ Kristie + Isis = Krisis!!!!!!!!! Isis - slaughter rescue Grattitude - Swedish Warmblood Emma - Hanoverian

05-30-2006, 01:15 PM	#9
SammyDoodle Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,284 Images: 68 Blog Entries: 1	I do prelim tests in a close contact jumping saddle - so I dont see any reason you cannot do unaffilated tests in a western saddle, I think tho your problem might be the contact issue. I dont ride western but I dont think you ride the horse into a contact that feels like you are holding a 2lb bag of sugar in each hand - lol However - if you are accurate at your markers and your horse is in a nice rhythm you can not get marked down too much so I would go for it - it can only be fun to give it a try Oh - and as far a learning the test - dont worry about that too much - just write it down a few times to get it into your head so you do know it - but you are allowed to have someone read the test for you while you are at the competition - I always have a reader - even tho I know the test - it just gives me one less thing to worry about! Last edited by SammyDoodle; 05-30-2006 at 01:40 PM.

06-03-2006, 11:01 AM	#10
barrel_racer64 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Somewheres in the U.S. Boonievilles Posts: 1,488 Images: 109	Thanks keep the tips and comments comming. My friend is looking for a new horse, and so I might not make it to the competition for at least a couple more weeks. Any other ideas for memorizing a test? Anybody? __________________ Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing! May we thank heaven for our horses and our friends. love my baby Tex!

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