In Consideration of the Dressage Warm Up

At some recent competitions I witnessed several near miss accidents brought about by riders not obeying the conventional rules which should operate in any area where several riders are riding. In Australia we have the luxury that many of us ride and train mainly alone and can go to compete with little coaching on the all important warm up. 

This article is in two parts. Firstly consideration of others. The rules of the arena, Just as we have rules of the road to ensure safe passage, there are rules of the arena which when observed allow everyone to enjoy a safer day out. The first three rules are the most important.

Secondly consideration of you and your horse, how do you use the warm up for optimal performance? None of us want to leave our best work at home or in the warm-up arena.

RULES OF THE ARENA

1. Look up and watch out around you. Don’t just concentrate on your horses ears

2. Ride LEFT SHOULDER TO LEFT SHOULDER. On the left rein you have the right of way on the outside track. On the right rein you should be on the inside track when another rider is on the left rein.  See the diagrams

3. WALK ON THE INSIDE TRACK. Whichever way you are going you must give way at walk. If you stay on the inside track or the quarter line you will be out of the way

4. Generally SLOWER PACES GIVE WAY TO FASTER PACES.

5. More ADVANCED MOVEMENTS HAVE RIGHT OF WAY eg shoulder in gives way to half pass, trot gives way to piaffe or passage. This does not mean that higher level horses have automatic right of way, nor do famous dressage princesses have right of way. If you are doing a more advanced movement and a high level horse is warming up in trot you should not give way out of respect as it is safer if you stick to the rules. The rules protect everyone.  You may think you are giving way out of respect and find that you have put yourself in the wrong spot and caused a near miss or an accident.

6. Observe TWO HORSES LENGTHS BETWEEN HORSES where ever possible. We all learned this at Pony Club. Stay out of the potential kicking zone.

7. DO NOT STOP ON THE TRACK. If you are stopping to talk to your coach or friend or adjust the girth or take off boots etc do it inside the quarter in or outside the warm up arena.

8. DO STOP IF THERE IS A LOOSE HORSE OR A RIEDR IN DIFFICULTY AND GIVE WAY, using common sense (which as we all know is actually not very commo)

9. RIDE SCHOOL LINES so others have some way to predict what you are doing. Don’t suddenly change direction etc

10. CALL OUT TO WARN OTHERS if there is a particular line you want e.g. centreline please and call out if you think a collision is imminent.

11. HELP OTHERS by letting them know in a friendly way the rules as most mistakes are made in good faith by riders who don’t know the rules. They may not be stupid etc, just need your help.

Please remember that the warm up arena is for warming up, not training. If you have a youngster or an inexperienced or difficult horse first get it going somewhere else, or come early in the day to show him everything, then you can reasonably expect to be able to warm up.

In considering how to use your time remember to allow plenty of time, including time to get a gear check and to walk to the arena, and your warm up time, time to present to the judge. Find out if there are scratching (remembering that you are entitled to start at your advertised time even if thy are running early, but sometimes it works fine to ride early if you are prepared. Find out if the ring is running on time and check who you follow so you don’t get caught unawares of a delay.

I like to be saddling up about an hour before the test. This gives a margin for the unexpected like forgotten spurs etc. I may not get on immediately if all is going to plan. It’s always best to have too much time than be in a rush which stresses riders and horses alike.

Allow an extra 15 minutes with a young or inexperienced horse so he has time to calm down if needed. You can always stand and watch the scenery if he is calm but you can’t make time if you need more. I would aim to be on a youngster pretty close to an hour beforehand and would spend maybe half of this walking. I would generally plan the warm up and test for the first test to be a little less time than his average days work. If it all goes well he may only need half of this for the second test. Older more experienced horses may have less. Get to know what suits you and your horse.

Start as in an everyday warm up. Long rein walk, get him loose, stretching over the back, then trot. Remind him of basic aids, stop and go and turn. Make him soft and supple laterally. It is likely that this phase will take 10 minutes at least

When you get to the main part of the work remember that this is warm-up not training. It won’t be better than at home. Ride the preparation systematically. Don’t start with the hard tricks but prepare them with exercises just as you would at home. For example prepare the walk pirouettes with some large training pirouettes ensuring that the walk rhythm stays correct and marching. When preparing the half passes you might not go the whole distance in the test but might keep the lateral flexibility such as half pass into shoulder in parallel to the long side and back to half pass, or try half pass (left) into leg yield (right) keeping the bend the same as you move the horse off on leg then the other. You might prepare the half pass counter changes of hand with half pass then a volte on the new rein to help your horse remember not to throw himself on to the new rein.

Make sure in the warm up that you have spent enough time preparing the work that is likely to be good and not just the work that might not be as strong. Maximise your mark by getting all the marks for the stronger work especially any that are doubled in the marks. Don’t forget the halts, rein back if it’s in and the transitions in and out of the extensions.

If he is a little tense try to remember that this can enhance the expression in the test, but might make him a little more reactive so take care to only use a light aid. Keep his attention and concentration on you by riding little variations frequently, a little forward, a little back, a little leg yield in the corner, etc. If he is tense he needs you to show him leadership.

Remember that the corners and the short sides are really important and pay attention to this in the warm-up. The corners are the perfect place to half halt and collect. Remember a corner is straight, usually 4 steps turning and then straight again. It is on the short side that the judges get to see you the best and can evaluate the pace, which should form the basis for the marks, so pay attention to the frame and the quality of the pace.

It should not be necessary to ride the test in the warm up, its best to learn your test early and ride it in the week before so you understand any potential problems. Check any rule changes or special conditions such as is a whip allowed (e.g. allowed in 4yo tests but not generally in 5yo and 6yo tests and not at FEI in championship tests). Don’t leave this til the last minute, check at least before you get on.

Watch out for the rider before you and ride down to your arena to arrive at least as she is walking away from the halt. Remember to have fun and enjoy your test. A good test is always pleasing, but you will learn more from the bad tests, so just get on with it!

By: Kerry Mack

Kerry Mack is a grand prix dressage rider, producer of young horses and breeder. Kerry formerly showjumped to World Cup level and evented to three day event level.  She is also a coach and stud principal at Mayfield Farm. Kerry focuses on breeding sport horses with an emphasis on trainability, horses that people can have fun with, while pursuing their goals, whether this is to compete at an elite level or below.

 

 

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