First level dressage – a detailed training program for your next competition
Do you want to prepare for a first level dressage test and need some good exercises to spice up your training? We’ll show you how the HorseAnalytics App can help you to create an efficient and fun training schedule.
In a first level dressage test you will be asked for medium trot and canter, leg yield and change of rein. The judges want to see a rider who’s balanced and in harmony with his horse.
To achieve harmony in the saddle and make it look effortless, pole work can help a great deal. But it can take a lot of time to find exercises that suit you and your horse. Therefore, you’ll find a training schedule specifically targeting the challenges of a 1st level dressage test in this article. So, keep reading to reach your goal!
You can find all the exercises in the HorseAnalytics App. Of course, you can switch it up to make it more fitting to your individual needs. Download the App to be able to create your own training schedule and search, save and share all your favorite exercises.
The HorseAnalytics App offers more than 200 exercises for jumping, dressage and cross country to help you find inspiration for efficient and fun training sessions. Don’t just trust the process, make it happen!
Ans now, let’s get straight into it!
Your Weekly Training Schedule
- Monday
Easy Jog
Exercise: „Exercise for balance“
Use this exercise to work on rhythm and suppleness (always keeping the training scale in mind: rhythm, suppleness, connection to the bit, impulsion and so on). On this day we’re especially focussing on the first three points of the training scale. The horse should relax and stretch its muscles. Being able to keep a steady rhythm and connection in the voltes is the main goal.
- Tuesday:
Pole Work
Exercise: „H for Health“
This exercise helps to engage the hind leg through working with poles.
- Wednesday
Test Riding
Focus on rhythm and correctness
- Thursday
Lunging
Exercise: „Lunging with hashtag and trotting poles“
- Friday
Flatwork
Exercise: „Straightness on the Centerline“
The centerline is the first and last impression and one of the most important parts of your test. Getting it right is not easy but this exercise will for sure help you with it. On the last day before the competition, you can also include a few other parts of the test that you feel like need some more practice.
- Saturday: Competition
- Sunday: Rest
Good Luck!
