This article first appeared in the December 2020 digital edition of Equestrian Life. To see what’s in the current issue, click here.

Jayden Brown and Davinci L riding the Prix St Georges test. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.

10 Tips for Riding the Prix St Georges test

By EQ Life / Roger Fitzhardinge

In previous editions of Equestrian Life, Roger Fitzhardinge has given us handy tips for riding the Equestrian Australia national tests, from Preliminary through to Advanced. The next step for a dressage combination rising up through the ranks is to compete FEI Small Tour, the first test of which is the Prix St Georges (PSG).

As Roger explains, this test is really no harder than the Advanced level tests. In fact, in many ways the flow is a little better and some find it easier — especially compared to the 5C! However, that being said the PSG test is not an easy test to gain marks in.

“It often marks low,” explains Roger. “If you get a 70% in the PSG test you’re doing well, as it’s always a low scoring test. I believe this is because some of the coefficient movements, for example the canter pirouettes, are often ridden poorly and may only get marked at a 5 or 4; you can lose 2% in those movements easily. There’s not that many coefficients in the test, so you’ve got to really make certain that the coefficients that are included are performed well…”

Read the full article here in the December 2020 issue of Equestrian Life!