Welcome to Dressage for Juniors!
Dressage for Juniors is a website dedicated to educating and promoting dressage for junior and young riders. We are adding new information here every month including videos, a dressage blog, rider of the month and much more!
Remember your horse should be your first and foremost priority. These equine partners are so generous and willing to accomodate us in our journey to ride this beautiful sport.
On a daily basis you should always tend to your horses care, making sure he has fresh water, plenty of food to eat, and happy surroundings that he can enjoy living in.
Just like use, they like to go home where they can relax, eat and mingle with friends, even if they are across the way in another stall. It is nice for them to think about other things besides doing work all the time.
Just like use, they like to go home where they can relax, eat and mingle with friends, even if they are across the way in another stall. It is nice for them to think about other things besides doing work all the time.
Sometimes it can be tough when instruction is hard to get to, whether it be far to travel or maybe financially you can only take a few lessons a month. I have put together this website that will give you helpful information to learn more about riding dressage and for the care of your horse.
Instruction is important, we all need to work with an Instructor that can assist us in our quest to learning to ride dressage.
I hope you enjoy this site and please email me with your comments, I would love to hear them.
I hope you enjoy this site and please email me with your comments, I would love to hear them.
Remember to braid your horse's mane when you go to a rated show, schooling shows you do not have to braid, but it is a chance to practice braiding if you are learning. Practice makes perfect!
Training tip:
If you use spurs, make sure you only use them at the moment you are asking, you don't want your spur to be hitting your horse's side with every stride.
United States Equestrian Federation
You can download Training level tests to Fourth level tests for free. Click Disiplines, click International, click Dressage, click Dressage Tests.
United States Dressage Federation
You can download Intro level tests A & B for free. Click on Education tab, click on Forms & Documents, Click Test of choice.
Your upper arm should rest in a light contact with the side of your body when you are sitting in the saddle.
Strive to ride precisely. When you are practicing at home, try riding transitions within the same gait or at a different gait at the letters. Rule of thumb is when your leg is at the letter, you should be in the new movement. If you don't have a court set up, get some cones or empty plastic flower buckets from the nursery and paint the letters on them. You can make your own dressage court!
Young rider Christine Stephenson and Markant riding at the 2009 USEF National Championships. Their score is 67.684. They rode this test in the rain as you will see in the video below. They are both beautiful to watch and are true champions.
DETERMINATION, PRECISION, HARMONY, GRACE and the Love and care of your HORSE, is what making of a champion is all about.
IMPORTANT TIP:
For a horse that is not used to being round, moving from his hind end through his back will cause him to use completely different muscles than he is used to. Horses get sore like we do and will need time to build up the correct muscles. Be patient and remember this is a team effort.
Always check with an experienced trainer that can help you achieve the right level of engagement and drive. Talk with your trainer to incorporate these ideas into your lesson program and remember to write them down in your journal!
Sit with supple hips. The hips and seat must be able to move in harmony with the horse's movement. Never hang onto your horse's mouth for balance. Don't forget to keep your ankles supple, otherwise this can create more bounciness in your trot work. Try stretching excercises every day. Good old two-point in the saddle is an excellent way to stretch the entire leg, your ankles and help with balance.
Any competitor may wear protective headgear at any level of competition without a penalty from the judge, this is outlined in the USEF rulebook.
The dress code for Intro through Fourth Level is a short riding coat of conservative color,(typically black is worn) with tie, choker or stock tie and white or light colored breeches
IMPORTANT TIP:
It is more cost effective to become a member of USDF and USEF if you are competing at a usdf or usef recognized show. For a non-member fee for USDF is $20.00 per rider, per owner, per competition and a extra $5.00 affidavit fee if you cannot provide a copy of your USDF nonmember card, except opportunity classes. Click below for more information.
If you are a non-member of USEF it is a $30.00 fee to compete at each show. Click below to go to the USEF website and join.
The name of this video is "Starstruck" music is by Lady Gaga. Watch this rider have a blast with her horse galloping out in the fields, even us adults would love to do this......
Dressageforjuniors.com is interviewed by
The Dressage Radio Show! Click on the link below to hear the Interview!
Remember to post on the correct diagnol. In the beginning when you are learning to post, only glance down if you have to, otherwise, practice without looking and learn to feel the correct diagnol.
Make sure your horse is clean when you get done riding. In the cooler months you can sponge bathe him/her with warm water to get the sweat off, if it is to cold to rinse them off completely.
Use a cooler so that their coats dry, If your on a budget, you can use a wool blanket from the house or go to the fabric store and have a piece of wool cut to fit your horse!
To clean your bits on your bridle, you can use toothpaste. Never use a household silver/polish cleaner. This can cause a severe reaction in your horse's mouth with swelling and make it hard for them to breathe.
WWW.DRESSAGEFORJUNIORS.COM
"A horse is your best friend you can tell them anything and no one will ever know."
NEW! Fitting a Double bridle with Susie Peacock at our sister website:
Learn how to slip tie a knot with this video from Horsegirltv!
Junior rider Julia Burke & Patrick in the CDI Junior Rider Team Test at The Festival of the Horse in San Juan Capistrano, California.
Photo by Colleen Walker
Young rider Monica Houweling & Stentano in the CDI Young Rider Team PSG Test at The Festival of the Horse in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Photo by Colleen Walker
Young Rider Sydney Holme & Day Dreamer in the CDI Young Rider Team PSG Test at The Festival of the Horse in San Juan Capistrano, CA Photo by Colleen Walker
Photo by Colleen Walker
Young Rider Georgia Wren-Russ riding in the CDI Young Rider Team PSG Test at The Festival of the Horse in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Young Rider Carin Stevens & Davinesse in the CDI Young Rider Team PSG Test at The Festival of the Horse in San Juan Capistrano, CA
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Catherine's new Dressage Blog for April! Click here!
