Get notified when HayHay launches in English
Teaching a B-pony simple dressage and the canter strike-off
Training

Teaching a B-pony simple dressage and the canter strike-off

I ride a B-pony who was backed by her owner, and I want to try teaching her a bit of simpler dressage so I can later start her in dressage competitions. Does anyone have any tips for exercises for her? She cannot do the canter strike-off yet but I am going to get her doing it, so has anyone got any tips or tricks?
Answers from HayHay's experts

Hi!

How lovely that you are keen to start dressage. A good tip is to look at the various dressage tests you can ride and compete in, so you can see which movements they include and what you and your pony need to be able to do together. In Sweden, for example, there is a test called Lätt C, which you will find on the Swedish Equestrian Federation's website: https://ridsport.se/download/18.63dd15218bcc1e3d905f5d4/1700213389839/L%C3%A4tt%20C1%20UPPDATERAT%20TILL%202024.pdf

🐴 One tip is to ride with a coach you trust and feel comfortable with. Tell them you are aiming to start dressage, and the two of you can work up tests that suit you.

🐴 Before you enter a proper competition, it is great to go out to pay-and-ride sessions, or test riding in front of a judge, which the riding clubs often run. Have a look at the clubs in your area and ask whether they hold any kind of training competition.

🐴 Being able to ride in all the gaits, including striking off into canter, is a very good start. If you would like to read more about the basics of riding, I recommend Ridhandboken, the Swedish riding manual. Parts one and two are available from Sisu förlag: https://www.sisuforlag.se/produkt/ridhandboken-1-grundutbildning-for-ryttare-och-hast/

Good luck🤗🐴🦄

Malin Axel-Nilsson
Malin Axel-Nilsson
Equine Ethologist
Last reviewed:
Share
Have a question of your own? Ask it in the HayHay app!
Get notified when HayHay launches in English
More questions & articles