The Teaching Test
     Karin Bielefeld of Decatur, Michigan, had to give up dressage riding after a car accident. With the help of her aged school-master, M'Lady Ebony, she began teaching and found that students focused on conquering single dressage test movements instead of understanding the whole test. So she broke down the idea of a dressage test into its most essential elements- even more basic than U.S. Dressage Federation Introductory Level, Test 1. She says this simplified test helps her students understand its mechanics and purpose.
     Bielefeld's test: A, enter working trot; C, track right; A, working walk, continue to A; A, circle right 20 meters, continue straight ahead; KXM, change rein; A, working trot, continue to A, circle left 20 meters, continue straight ahead; FXH, change rein; A, down centerline; X, halt, salute.
      "To obtain the most out of one's horse, the rider much remember that every movement in a test is not only the foundation for developing the next movement, but it is also designed to physically condition specific muscle groupings," says Bielefeld. Her test "helps the rider gain confidence in memorizing a test and shows that tests are designed as groups of movements done equally on each side. Simple is good and making it simpler is better," she say.

Dressage Today September 2002