Surviving Your First Dressage Test: Just Two Things to Remember!

As Promised – What to Focus on in Your First Dressage Test

In this blog, we’re going to walk you through the key priorities for riding your very first dressage test. But don’t worry — we’re keeping it simple. Rather than giving you a long, overwhelming list, we’re narrowing it down to two essential things to focus on. After all, this is your first test, and the goal is to build confidence, not stress!

1. Preparation, Preparation, Preparation!

This is the golden rule. Good preparation sets the tone for a smooth, accurate, and relaxed test. What do we mean by preparation? It’s about thinking ahead —

always being ready for the next movement before you even finish the current one.

For example, as you ride down the centre line at the start, you should already be planning your first turn. If you're tracking left, you should be setting up your horse to turn correctly before you reach the marker. Just like in showjumping: as you land from jump 1, your mind is already on how you’ll ride to jump 2.

By preparing each move in advance, you’ll improve the quality of your turns, lines, shapes, and transitions — which all contribute to higher marks and a more polished test.

2. Rhythm

At introductory levels, rhythm is absolutely crucial. A consistent, relaxed rhythm will earn you far more marks than worrying about whether your horse is in a perfect outline. Judges are looking for regularity and ease of movement — so keep it steady, smooth, and balanced.

To summarise:The two most important things to focus on for your first dressage test are:✅ Prepare for each movement before it happens✅ Keep a consistent rhythm throughout your test

...and of course, don’t forget our favourite reminder from the last blog post: Smile and breathe – you've got this!