Dressage for Dummies

[eleanor]

Well after the Hocamaffe's spectacular performance on Sunday at the FOC I think he should go and do some unaffiliated dressage over the winter! Now, I have never done dressage in my life, have never paid any attention to it and thus have no idea what to do! So, I have a few - well alot! - of questions if some of you don't mind answering them

Ok, first - can I do it in a straight cut WH saddle?
Snaffle, evidently, can it be done in a normal jointed full cheek?
Can you just do your test and leave or do you have to wait till the end?
Dress code - is normal showing gear ok?
Might sound a bit weird but do you have to do sitting trot or can you rise to the trot?
Where do you get the tests from?
Plaits - Can I cheat and band plait or do I have to stitch them again?
Can I leave my tail unpulled or plaited? I will pull it in the spring for shows but I like his tail too much so I am avoiding pulling it!
Anything else you think might be relevant for a clueless person?

I really haven't the foggiest so all help would be much appreciated!

[eirewhisper]

Oct 12, 2009 19:59:59 GMT eleanor said:

Ok, first - can I do it in a straight cut WH saddle? Yes
Snaffle, evidently, can it be done in a normal jointed full cheek? Check BD website (think its ok though)
Can you just do your test and leave or do you have to wait till the end? Yes - just leave SAE for your scoresheet if you dont wait
Dress code - is normal showing gear ok? Yes
Might sound a bit weird but do you have to do sitting trot or can you rise to the trot? Either
Where do you get the tests from? www.dressagediagrams.com
Plaits - Can I cheat and band plait or do I have to stitch them again? Can band or leave unplaited for unaff.
Can I leave my tail unpulled or plaited? Either
Anything else you think might be relevant for a clueless person? Relax, enjoy, have a caller if you're prone to forgetting where you're going next, you can wear spurs and have a dressage whip if needed

Worry not! I was a complete beginner to stressage last year. SNEC run Unaff. stressage on some Friday nights if thats any good for you. Hope to see you there.

ETA I've answered in the quoted bit if you can read that tiny text (I cant)

[eleanor]

Spurs and Dressage whip? Did you see Jeff the other day?!?! Hehe!

Thanks very much! Much appreciated! Will go look at tests just now!