Few things in dressage are more frustrating than going wrong in your test – and there’s certainly no blaming the horse. Whether it’s that sinking feeling when your mind goes blank, an unfortunate detour to the wrong letter, or a moment of distraction caused by a spluttering coffee machine ringside or a car backfiring in the distance, mistakes happen.
Whatever the reason, we always kick ourselves – especially knowing that under British Dressage (BD) rules, a first error costs two marks, a second costs four and a third means elimination. So, what’s the best way to make sure it doesn’t happen to you?
How do you learn a dressage test?
When it comes to learning a dressage test, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Just as every rider has their own way of preparing for events, everyone absorbs and retains information differently.
Remember, in regular BD classes you can have someone calling your test for you.
But you can’t at regionals, Area Festivals, or when you get to a championship. That’s why it’s good to be able to remember a test without relying too much on a caller.
Finding the method that works best for you can make all the difference. Some riders can glance at a test sheet once and have the pattern locked into their memory, while others need to rehearse it multiple times before it sticks.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to learn a test – and often, using a combination of methods is the most effective approach.
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So, how do you go about learning a test in a way that ensures you ride the right movements at the right time? Let’s break it down by learning style and explore the strategies that can help prevent a dreaded error of course.
For visual learners – or those who learn best through visuals, diagrams and test sheets are invaluable. Many riders find that drawing the test themselves helps reinforce the pattern through repetition. Watching video ride-throughs on platforms like YouTube or using interactive apps such as TestPro can also make it easier to visualise the movements before even stepping into the saddle. BD also offers visual diagrams of all their tests, from intro to advanced, providing another useful tool for riders looking to memorise their test.
For auditory learners – hearing the test spoken aloud or repeating it back to themselves is key. Some riders record themselves calling the test and listen to it while driving or doing chores, reinforcing the sequence through repetition. The TestPro app can also play your test to you as it draws it out. Other riders find that having a friend or trainer call the test while they walk or ride through the test makes all the difference.
For kinesthetic learners – or someone who learns by doing, movement is essential. Physically walking the test in an open space, “riding” it on foot while imagining transitions and movements, or even practicing key sections in the arena can help cement the sequence in their memory. Some riders also benefit from using cones or markers in a field or empty arena to mimic the layout and reinforce positioning.
Dyslexia & learning dressage tests
An estimated 10% of the UK population lives with dyslexia, a learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and writing skills. It can also impact memory, as well as the ability to process visual and auditory information.
For dyslexic riders, learning dressage tests can present extra challenges, but many have found ways to succeed at the highest levels. Among them is Josephine Clewlow, who has competed at grand prix.
Josephine started riding at seven and entered the dressage arena by the age of 10. Early on, it became clear that her dyslexia would add an extra layer of difficulty.
“The first challenge I faced was the inability even to read the tests,” she says. “The random layout of the arena letters was also very confusing, and because I struggle with spatial awareness, centre lines and circle sizes take a lot of effort.”
For Josephine, preparation has been the key to overcoming these obstacles.
“When I’m learning a test, repetition is really important,” she explains. “I learn the pattern of the movements rather than the wording on the test sheet. I use a ‘3W’ approach – write, watch, walk. I get someone to read the test and draw the pattern, I watch YouTube videos of the test, and I walk out the test.
“I don’t see my dyslexia as a stumbling block that will prevent me from achieving my goals. It is all about mindset and being prepared. Oh, and using spell check when writing!”
Former H&H blogger Joanna Thurman-Baker is another accomplished rider who was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age. She stresses the importance of finding a trainer who can adapt their teaching methods.
“Look for someone who is going to think of new ways to get the message across,” she advises. “For example, saying ‘the outside rein’ or ‘to the hedge side’ rather than repeating ‘left and right’ because I have no idea which is which!”
How to remember dressage markers
One of the biggest struggles riders face when learning a test is remembering the dressage markers, especially in a standard 20m x 60m arena. Mnemonics—memory devices that turn information into easy-to-recall phrases—can be a game-changer.
For the 20m x 40m arena, many riders use:
➡ “All King Edward’s Horses Can Make Beautiful Friends” (A, K, E, H, C, M, B, F)
For the 20m x 60m arena, a common mnemonic is:
➡ “All King Victor’s Elegant Horses Can Make Really Beautiful People Smile” (A, K, V, E, H, C, M, R, B, P, S)
But there are lots of other alternative mnemonic devices, and you could even create a personal phrase that resonates with you.
Top tips for remembering your dressage test
Have markers correctly set out wherever you normally train to reinforce the visual layout.
Know Your Learning Style
Visual learners → Draw the test or watch videos
Auditory learners → Repeat movements aloud or listen to a caller
Kinesthetic learners → Walk or ride through the test
Learn a few movements at a time, then string them together
Use apps like TestPro or watch YouTube ride-throughs
Visualising the test before riding it strengthens memory
Start with a caller, then ride without to reinforce memory
Have a friend quiz you on “What movement comes next?”
Run through the test before bed—this boosts memory retention!
Simulate a competition – the more realistic the practice, the more automatic your recall
Above all, if you do go wrong, pause, take a breath, and reset – remember, it’s just circles in the sand!
Oscar joined Horse & Hound in October 2023 and is the magazine’s dressage editor and sports manager, overseeing coverage of equestrian sport. After studying equine science at Myerscough College, he spent four years working for leading dressage rider Emile Faurie, competing at the 2015 National Dressage Championships and travelling with the yard to CDIs including Aachen and Saumur. He holds a master’s degree in Literature from York St John University (2021).
