How to Give Dressage Lessons
Teaching dressage can be a way to instill discipline and skill to the new rider. These skills will be important as the rider's ability increases and the rider advances to more and more difficult competitions. The following steps explain how to give dressage lessons.
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Instructions
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Start slowly. Allow the rider to become familiar with the markings in the dressage ring and ask your student to memorize them in their proper order.
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2
Begin asking your student to begin performing certain commands at the letters. For example, trot at E, canter at B, go across the diagonal from changing leads at X and so on.
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3
Teach the proper etiquette when entering the ring, that the rider must enter down the center line then come to a full stop before saluting the judge. Teach the rider the proper way to salute the judge. The rider should take both reins in one hand; drop the other hand to their side while nodding the head. Men can remove their helmet when performing the salute as an additional sign of respect. The rider should not move forward until the judge nods in reply.
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4
Practice coming down the center line and halting. The halt must be square and still. Points are taken from the rider's score if the horse moves at all or proceeds forward without the judge's salute.
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5
Teach the rider a basic dressage test. This can be found at Dressage Tests Online, the United States Dressage Federation or Horse Sport. As the rider is able to perform the more basic dressage tests, teach the more advanced tests as the rider's ability increases.
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Have the rider enter dressage events. These may be found online or in the newspaper. With each dressage show, the rider's confidence and ability will increase.
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