| Author | Message | ||
     Helen Annema Username: Helenh Registered: 09-2010 |
Thanks Fiona, hope to get some practice in Saturday!! And stay positive ;-) fingers crossed it stays dry and can at least run through the test once!! | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
Ha! I was trying to say, can you do a little half-halt at the start of the movement, so it looks like an attempt at lengthening/doing something? Yes, I think it's worth trying, honestly, but it comes down to your performance on the day and what the judge thinks - make it super-accurate to get a good precision score! (Don't get the idea that my ponies do it perfectly - but we can dream?) Several people have contacted me about this and the deviations/one-handed movements. I know not everyone has the time or suitable space for the training and practice they'd like to have - and we all want to do our best on the day - but, if it's any comfort, you will not be alone! If you are wound up, it's likely that your horse will be, too... (sorry, you know that!) So far, the judges have awarded from 2 to 10 for movements 6 and 8. Ask your judge what they are looking for, too, before your turn, if you can? | ||
| Helen Annema Username: Helenh Registered: 09-2010 |
Hi Fiona, you make it sound so easy..... I almost want to get up over it, got awarded a 2 for one of mine last year, hence my question, is it better not to even attempt it! Just carry on regardless instead :-( | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
[Helen, just between ourselves...] I'd do a nice steady corner and then half-halt, probably at the beginning of the lengthening, then allow my hands to go forward a little as I give my "do lengthening" magic word, allow a few longer strides at the same tempo as my working trot across X, then start a smooth slowing down to get balanced for the corner. So simple? Yes, making a decent attempt is what judges have told me they prefer to see. You will know if your horse needs a little more stimulus after the half-halt - a light tap with the whip might be needed for some. p.s. if your horse keeps the same tempo and lengthens his stride, you must go faster in terms of groundspeed. What the judge does not want to see is just a speeded up trot. Just my thoughts... Google "lengthened trot" and check some more ridden dressage videos? I found them useful! | ||
| Helen Annema Username: Helenh Registered: 09-2010 |
Thanks Fiona, good video. If unsure to achieve anything resembling a true lengthening of strides, is going faster or staying in working trot preferable? I was previously taught to at least attempt something. | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
Helen, thank you for publishing your question. You are not alone. "Make a difference" rings in my ears in my trainer's voice! In the name of research, I watched a few videos on lengthening strides and found this from the Pony Club which I feel makes some sound basic points with useful (ridden) demonstrations. What the judges are looking for, I believe, is some lengthened strides across X for movements 6 and 8, that is, a gradual build up and wind down, keeping the same tempo. So, stay balanced into the corner or turn before the movement and wind up towards X then wind down and prepare for the next turn. I have a magic word for "do something like lengthening" which my ponies interpret in their own ways. I am not a trainer or judge so, if someone better qualified than I wants to chip in, I hope they will! Video link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJQL7AWNFI | ||
| Helen Annema Username: Helenh Registered: 09-2010 |
Thanks Fiona, re. Deviation, will judges be informed for this as understand there had been much confusion? also, re. Lengthening of strides, I see from the judges notes that ‘just going faster’ is a severe fault, so if you know it’s unlikely that you can achieve it (that will be a significant number) is it better to not attempt it and continue in working trot? Answer on a postcard please ;-) | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
It's official: the deviations should be driven with a few steps on the centre line as you cross X, that is, the middle of the carriage goes over X. | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
YOU know you can see the P&P test diagram - from C, for judges, and from A, for drivers, on our var/www page... Click the link below for an (unofficial) animated P&P test: https://youtu.be/8rg3JlJWY-o | ||
| ICD Office Username: Ihdtcoffice Registered: 01-2003 |
P&P guidelines. The notes given to the judges of the P&P test can be found on the NEWS page. These notes should be of interest to all competitors, they detail how and where marks will be awarded and, more importantly, how marks are lost. PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THEM. |