Am I being a wimp or is this not a good idea?

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Bruce17

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A local equestrian centre is running unaffiliated dressage in Sunday. I really want to go, but...

It's in an indoor arena which I'm not sure my horse has ever been in
I have no one to go with me except non horsey OH who won't be much help
I've never competed alone before, I won't know where to get my number or what to do and will look a numpty
I've never been to the venue
Horse can be stressy if venue is busy
A billion other reasons I'm talking myself out of going

Am I being a total wimp here? It's only unaff prelim! Or is this a bad idea and I should wait till I have an experienced friend to babysit?

I wish there was such thing as someone you could hire to babysit you at competitions 😂
 
We often go to new venues and feel a little lost but most places are helpful, you will not be considered a numpty if you have to ask where things are, they will be used to it, put your OH to use to collect numbers, some places do not use any so he can check that, he can find the entrance to the warm up and where the tests are ridden, speak to the steward and ask that you are called in plenty of time, finding which horse goes before you can be useful.

But if you decide not to take your horse why not go and take a look anyway so the next time they run you will feel better prepared, an offer to help may be welcomed and you could then feel as if you are part of things when you do enter.
 
Bruce17 said:
I wish there was such thing as someone you could hire to babysit you at competitions 😂
Click to expand...

There sort of is, you can pay someone to groom for you. I would ask on local facebook groups.


All the unaffiliated dressage around here runs to the same rules as affiliated with numbers and you bring your own numbers, one on each side. Either attach to the bridle or pin to the saddlecloth.
You are given a time to ride a few days before and will get your number. So you can attach to your saddlecloth or bridle before you get there.
None of the ones I go to expect you to check in when you get there unless they are checking passports for vaccinations. You just go straight to the warm up.
I always look at who is before me and keep an eye for when they go in. Round here they rarely call you unless they are trying to persuade you to go ahead of your slot because they have a cancellation. You know what time you are due so you can prepare and have as much time as you need to warm up.

Can you pop up to the venue a few days before so you know the layout.
 
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Go for it. Preparation is key.
Try and go to the venue before so you can see layout etc (if you don’t know this already). Allow yourself LOADS of time, then you won’t get panicked.
A non-horsey support is great, they can check things out for you, keep an eye on the order and timing, hold water, whip, jackets etc. Help you on, lead you in if your horse is unsure etc.
Also, set yourself wee goals - load well, travel well, groom and tack up happily, stay calm in the warmup (at prelim many horses can cope with minimal warm up, so if he gets buzzy, you can just calmly walk round). Also give yourself permission to stop at any stage - you want him to have a good experience.
Good luck and enjoy.
 
you need to go for it. put your brave pants on and go. I take my 17.2 out on my own all over the place. we even do away shows on our own and he isn't easy. you will be fine. people are always really friendly when you are on your own and will always hold, etc if necessary. one thing I do do is tack up on the trailer. it does make my life easier with my boy
 
Go! I am taking a youngster to their first dressage next week, and because of timings (and because I can't learn two tests and will be on my own with two horses) we're doing a higher number prelim as a first ever test. We're going to come last in style as baby horse spooks at dressage boards, judge's car etc!!!
 
If the competition was in a months time could you be anymore prepared? Or would you feel just as apprehensive?
I always think we should set ourselves up to succeed BUT there has to be a first time for everything!
 
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Another vote for go! I took my very nappy (at the time) share horse to her first outing with no help. People kindly held her for me to tie my number on and even gave me a hand getting her into the arena :rolleyes:. I was very nervous as she's an established rearer under any kind of pressure and had never been off her yard (other than hacking) before but everyone was lovely! There's not usually a lot you need to do and people are always willing to hold a horse for a minute or two!

She'd only been in an outdoor arena once that I know off and had never been in an fully enclosed indoor either (ours is open sided). I think we worry more than they do about these things!
 
There will always be a first time. I would go, do all your stuff but if you really can not face doing the test just withdraw. It will not be wasted because you will have practiced all the other stuff which is 95% of the competition.
We would always do a dummy run before we went out and competed, sometimes even hire the venue for an hour to have a play as my was very nervous.
 
be positive said:
We often go to new venues and feel a little lost but most places are helpful, you will not be considered a numpty if you have to ask where things are, they will be used to it, put your OH to use to collect numbers, some places do not use any so he can check that, he can find the entrance to the warm up and where the tests are ridden, speak to the steward and ask that you are called in plenty of time, finding which horse goes before you can be useful.

But if you decide not to take your horse why not go and take a look anyway so the next time they run you will feel better prepared, an offer to help may be welcomed and you could then feel as if you are part of things when you do enter.
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Perfect advice.
 
as someone else said there is always a first time for any venue!

get OH used to holding horse and taking boots off etc before you go............its amazing how quickly they can be trained lol! mine had never touched a horse before he met me and is now pretty good at washing off/taking boots off/passing and holding/taking pics and vids etc :)
 
life is too short to miss out on this opportunity, go and you will find lots of lovely people will help you, but go early so you can sort your number etc and chat with others, ask for help from the organizers, they want to make the day a success, relax and do things slowly giving yourself time to think, and good luck
 
I compete on my own 99% of the time, you get used to it! Give yourself plenty of time to arrive, find the toilets and the secretary and check times etc.

Most arenas are a first time for most horses! Besides, I generally find spectators at shows helpful and there's always someone who will hold/yank boots off/call a test etc.
 
GO! If the prelim is the first class of the day you could always ask to go early when you enter (obviously the venue doesn't have to accommodate, but most will do their best) it might be quieter then. As everyone has said make sure you get there early so you don't feel rushed and try to have fun.
 
Bruce17 said:
A local equestrian centre is running unaffiliated dressage in Sunday. I really want to go, but...

It's in an indoor arena which I'm not sure my horse has ever been in
I have no one to go with me except non horsey OH who won't be much help
I've never competed alone before, I won't know where to get my number or what to do and will look a numpty
I've never been to the venue
Horse can be stressy if venue is busy
A billion other reasons I'm talking myself out of going

Am I being a total wimp here? It's only unaff prelim! Or is this a bad idea and I should wait till I have an experienced friend to babysit?

I wish there was such thing as someone you could hire to babysit you at competitions 😂
Click to expand...


Someone on here may be able to help you out? But definitely go! Someone will keep you right 😊
 
Thank you everyone for your advice!
I'm an even bigger numpty than I thought as I didn't realise I'd need my own numbers, I don't have any 😂

Unfortunately I can't go to the venue beforehand, work full time and I'm busy Saturday.

It's at Cottingham Equestrian Centre if anyone knows of it?
 
Don't know the venue but had a quick look at the event and a couple of things occurred to me.

They have Intro classes as well as Prelims if you wanted to start at a lower level.
As a person with a spooky horse I would actually enter 2 tests. The first is getting used to the venue and second goes much better.
 
Bruce17 said:
Thank you everyone for your advice!
I'm an even bigger numpty than I thought as I didn't realise I'd need my own numbers, I don't have any 😂

Unfortunately I can't go to the venue beforehand, work full time and I'm busy Saturday.

It's at Cottingham Equestrian Centre if anyone knows of it?
Click to expand...
I know it and would have offered to help but I've got a wedding (would have preferred a dressage competition). You're a way from me but I have family close (non horsey I'm afraid).
 
I've been there once, to support. unfortunately it's not in my locality or I'd offer to help.

It's a lovely bright, airy indoor so it's not like the dark dingy spooky indoors you sometimes see.

I would send a message to the venue and ask what the routine is for signing in etc. That way you know what you're doing on the day, so it's one less thing to worry about.

I often go out on my own, sometimes with two horses. It can be daunting, but I generally find the other competitors are helpful and willing to muck in if there's a problem.

I say go for it! Maybe do an intro and the prelim, so you can use the intro as a warm up test to get used to the arena.
 
Go! Like people are saying when you’re tacking up and grooming etc. Send your OH with some tasks even if it’s finding out where the toilets are! Least them you’re not under each others feet! All will be fine x
 
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