*gulp* Moving up to Novice

[minstrel]

I am hoping to move my 6 year old up to Novice now, we have not been out since petplan as we qualified for that and didn't do well due to me throwing my back out the day before - typical isn't it - so poor lad was very confused about a very tense mum on board. I have not done anything Novice or above in years, and have been plugging away over the winter (bar about a month off when losing my old boy as I just couldn't face riding at that point) is there any Novice test folks would recommend for his first foray out at novice. At home he has a strong leg yield (though I seem to recall that is elementary level?) a lovely strong med canter, med trot can be a little rushed but he can do it, his head carriage is very consistent now but he can drop it up and down on occasion think this is a strength issue as it takes time to be able to hold their heads there... Rein back is a bit weakness though, so what test should I try to hunt for would you think?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Does anyone know if rather then taking my tweed with me to dressage you can get away with a plain brown jacket?

[sparkler]

The lower the number the simpler the test - however I would just select a venue, do a Prelim as a warmup then have a go, you will be absolutely fine - , its so easy to get caught up in the " Im not ready for this" when actually you are - good luck and enjoy. Jacket - I would stick with your tweed. Have fun. :-)

[haltnotsquare]

You won't get leg yield until elementary and I can't recall a Novice with rein back although one or two of the "high" number ones might.
You tend to find the Novices in the 20's are more straight forward than the 30's if that makes sense?
Don't think of it as doing a Novice, just think of it as another day, another test, another set of movements to remember - concentrate on where you are going and don't let "OMG I'm doing a Novice" rule your head.
You'll be fine - enjoy it!

[haltnotsquare]

Oh, never read the bit about your jacket - stick with what you have, don't go stressing about your jacket. It's the test that's being judged, not the wardrobe ;-)

[Magic]

I think there is a novice with a rein back but can't for the life of me remember which one it is. Not done dressage in about two years now sadly! Don't get caught up in the level but have fun and enjoy it, once you have done your first one you'll wonder what you were worried about!

[boo]

i think off hand it is novice 38 that has rein back, will check when I manage to remove the dogs from my knees

I find it way easier to do the long arena tests, gives you more time to think about the next movement
novice is just prelim with a few lengthened strides, don't stress yourself out about the word novice it is still just walk trot and canter
go and enjoy it I am sure you will be fine - agree though do a prelim as a warm up I did that for my first novice with enya

[minstrel]

Thanks all! Replacing my tweed with a brown jacket was to save it from too many drownings over this winter not something I am worrying about really, just if its allowed my twee was very very expensive and I would rather it stayed at home except for showing trips.
I agree with wanting to go for long arena tests as I have a very big boy and the smaller tests at prelim at times I felt I was running out of room in canter as he has a big stride the long arena gives me a little more time to think about things. I think that you are right boo and that it is 38 or 37 that has the rein back, I have been told that this is often one they would use for a championships? Its silly really but its quite a few years since I was last doing novice with Minstrel (we finished at elementary) that now I get so worried about things that I end up riding terribly when at home I know I ride far better!! I do frustrate myself lol!

[boo]

i am exactly the same taking Enya out, I did up to medium with Fred and never stressed about it but going out with a 4yo doing prelim was like being asked to ride round the XC at Badminton lol
I found the novice tests I have done with her a bit easier as I have to keep focused more
think it is more the feeling of the unknown when taking a baby out plus we want them to do well & not let them down
after next weekend I am going to be getting a big kick up the bum and have been told I have to man up and get on with it lol

[Kath the Magic Dragon]

I'd try not to worry too much, just think of it as a more complicated (and therefore infinitely more interesting!) prelim. If you can't do reinback, just ignore those tests for now - or if you're really pushed to do it, attempt it then move on to the next movement, its only one mark after all

I agree with everyone whos said don't get too caught up in the 'moving up a level' - i have only done about 6 prelim tests with Gus and moved up because we both found Prelim boring. His dressage is not his strong point and we don't really 'do' medium paces as yet but we give them a shot and at the end of the day, even if you get no lengthening at all its only a 5 for that one movement and its all good experience. We have had better marks in the 2 novices we've done as there is just so much more to think about!

Good luck!