Dressage Tests at Third and Fourth Level:
How to Improve Your Scores.
Think shorter, lighter, and more precise!
WALK PIROUETTES: The smaller the circle made by the hind legs the better. Foy advises thinking piaffe when executing this movement. You must do one in each direction, and they need to be symmetrical.
CANTER PIROUETTES: The full pirouette should be 6-8 strides, and the quality of the movement is more important than the size. There are 3-4 strides in a half-pirouette.
HALF PASS: Show straightness first before you begin the movement. Don’t begin the half-pass until the hind hooves hit the centerline; otherwise the haunches will lead and you’ll lose points. Take the bend all the way to the rail.
COUNTER CANTER: Don’t overbend the horse’s neck.
FLYING CHANGES AND TRANSITIONS ON THE DIAGONAL: Make these as the horse’s nose touches the letter on a straight line. If you do it in the corner, you increase the difficulty for your horse.
Happy Riding!
Copyright Denise Cummins, PhD June 10, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
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