Any regular unaffiliated comps within an hour or so of Edinburgh

[LFD]

As per the title, I’m looking to find out if there are any regular unaffiliated dressage comps within about an hour of Edinburgh. We are fairly new to dressage so want to get out and about a couple of times a month to practice.

Preferably on grass as we find that much harder, so need more practice, but any surface really!

Many thanks in advance!

 

[gembear]

Hey LFD.

I recently took up dressage too and live in Edinburgh. Your best bet is keeping a check on the local RC websites... Lothians RC, Edinburgh & District... you have to be a member to enter for Almond RC but they have a great reputation (currently a waiting list).

Tower Farm sometimes hold novice dressage comps, although not as many as they use to and not as many folk go (but you might want something quiet).

I recently did two tests at the Glenbrae RC showing show in Bo'ness. Was further out, but a lovely venue and quite busy. That was on grass.

I've entered dressage for next month with Lothians RC. Not sure if it's going to be on a surface or grass though, as they have the option for both....

Hope that helped.

 

[LFD]

Hey LFD.

I recently took up dressage too and live in Edinburgh. Your best bet is keeping a check on the local RC websites... Lothians RC, Edinburgh & District... you have to be a member to enter for Almond RC but they have a great reputation (currently a waiting list).

Tower Farm sometimes hold novice dressage comps, although not as many as they use to and not as many folk go (but you might want something quiet).

I recently did two tests at the Glenbrae RC showing show in Bo'ness. Was further out, but a lovely venue and quite busy. That was on grass.

I've entered dressage for next month with Lothians RC. Not sure if it's going to be on a surface or grass though, as they have the option for both....

Hope that helped.

Thanks Gembear - this is really helpful. I've been to the Lothian RC and the E&D comps before which are both really good. I'll have a look at the Glenbrae RC website and see what they have coming up. I've joined the Almond waiting list too. The Tower ones seem to be in the school holidays which is a shame as I'm at work but will keep an eye out to see if they add any new ones on. I'm missing the June Lothians comp as i'm at the HT @ Gleneagles the same day but might see you at their next one. Thanks again

 

[ArcticFox]

also look at peebles riding club, mostly they do winter dressage but one to keep an eye on (I'm a member of them). plus there is scottish dressage group which is a riding club near Haddington, they do a show a month on a surface, but its at Cousland. you need to be a member though as its usually oversubscribed from what I gather.


also its worth checking out SNEC, KIngsbarns and Ian Starks websites as they run unaff dressage. SNEC do it alongside their BD.

 

[gembear]

Thanks Gembear - this is really helpful. I've been to the Lothian RC and the E&D comps before which are both really good. I'll have a look at the Glenbrae RC website and see what they have coming up. I've joined the Almond waiting list too. The Tower ones seem to be in the school holidays which is a shame as I'm at work but will keep an eye out to see if they add any new ones on. I'm missing the June Lothians comp as i'm at the HT @ Gleneagles the same day but might see you at their next one. Thanks again

Dressage is actually proving to be quite additive!
I'm also on the waiting list for Almond. Fingers crossed it won't take forever

 

[gembear]

also look at peebles riding club, mostly they do winter dressage but one to keep an eye on (I'm a member of them). plus there is scottish dressage group which is a riding club near Haddington, they do a show a month on a surface, but its at Cousland. you need to be a member though as its usually oversubscribed from what I gather.


also its worth checking out SNEC, KIngsbarns and Ian Starks websites as they run unaff dressage. SNEC do it alongside their BD.

I went to SNEC for the first time yesterday. I wasn't competing but went with a friend who was through Almond RC. Such a lovely venue! I like that their dressage is smart/casual too, takes a bit of the pressure off.

 

[LFD]

also look at peebles riding club, mostly they do winter dressage but one to keep an eye on (I'm a member of them). plus there is scottish dressage group which is a riding club near Haddington, they do a show a month on a surface, but its at Cousland. you need to be a member though as its usually oversubscribed from what I gather.


also its worth checking out SNEC, KIngsbarns and Ian Starks websites as they run unaff dressage. SNEC do it alongside their BD.

Thanks ActicFox - I've got the SNEC ones in the diary but Ian Stark's place is a good shout, I think he might be running some on grass too. I'll add Peebles RC to the list This dressage is hard work - why don't they just let you do the SJ and XC ;-)

 

[Jnhuk]

There aren't many now on grass so harder to find especially if practising for ODEs.

I'm another member of PDRC and also member of Almond and really grateful yesterday to be riding indoors at SNEC. Good luck to being on the wait list as can take awhile. I would offer your help at some of their events that they run to get a foot in the door so to speak. Linda P also does training on a Friday night which you don't need to be an Almond member to participate in. Watch their facebook page for updates on that as doesn't happen every friday

PDRC will have an annual show end August/beg Sept time and we have a winter dressage series as well as SJ shows throughout the year so keep an eye on website and/or facebook page.

Other places to look

North Lammermuir RC
Dunedin Combined Training group
Greenfields of avondale near strathaven

 

[LFD]

There aren't many now on grass so harder to find especially if practising for ODEs.

I'm another member of PDRC and also member of Almond and really grateful yesterday to be riding indoors at SNEC. Good luck to being on the wait list as can take awhile. I would offer your help at some of their events that they run to get a foot in the door so to speak. Linda P also does training on a Friday night which you don't need to be an Almond member to participate in. Watch their facebook page for updates on that as doesn't happen every friday

PDRC will have an annual show end August/beg Sept time and we have a winter dressage series as well as SJ shows throughout the year so keep an eye on website and/or facebook page.

Other places to look

North Lammermuir RC
Dunedin Combined Training group
Greenfields of avondale near strathaven

Thanks Jnhuk - some good options there. I'll add Almond and PDRC on facebook to keep up to date and try to come to Linda P's Friday nights if possible.

I've been to Greedfields for xc training before but didn't know they did dressage too - another one for the diary!

Thanks again

 

[Jenni_]

Dressage is actually proving to be quite additive!
I'm also on the waiting list for Almond. Fingers crossed it won't take forever

I've been on the waiting list for Almond since 2010......

Check out Stobs farm for dressage, North Lammermuir does dressage at Cousland too.

Sunnyside (East Linton/ Haddington) will hopefully have dressage on mid summer again.

 

[LFD]

I've been on the waiting list for Almond since 2010......

Check out Stobs farm for dressage, North Lammermuir does dressage at Cousland too.

Sunnyside (East Linton/ Haddington) will hopefully have dressage on mid summer again.

I can't believe you have been on the waiting list since 2010 - oh well.......

Fingers crossed Sunnyside will be able to run their shows again mid summer as they'll be on grass which is perfect. I went to a few of the SJing ones last year and they were really nice.

 

[gembear]

I've been on the waiting list for Almond since 2010......

Check out Stobs farm for dressage, North Lammermuir does dressage at Cousland too.

Sunnyside (East Linton/ Haddington) will hopefully have dressage on mid summer again.

Do you help with the Almond events/classes etc? If not I think that's the key. I do know it can take a while, but it helps if they know who you are.

I was gutted sunny side cancelled everything, but I doubt I'll go this year even if the events come back. Too much risk

 

[Edinburgh_lass]

Do you help with the Almond events/classes etc? If not I think that's the key. I do know it can take a while, but it helps if they know who you are.

I was gutted sunny side cancelled everything, but I doubt I'll go this year even if the events come back. Too much risk

I joined Almond in 2011 and there was no waiting list back then so something has definitely been missed Jenni, maybe drop the secretary an email to clarify. If you put your name on the list now, the wait is around 2 years currently. There is no queue jumping, no matter if you are known or help out etc, it is done purely on time on list but you do need a nominator and seconder, so coming to help out at club days does help you get to know members. Also, if it is quiet on the entries, club days have been opened up to those on the waiting list before, so definitely worth getting your name down.

 

[LFD]

I joined Almond in 2011 and there was no waiting list back then so something has definitely been missed Jenni, maybe drop the secretary an email to clarify. If you put your name on the list now, the wait is around 2 years currently. There is no queue jumping, no matter if you are known or help out etc, it is done purely on time on list but you do need a nominator and seconder, so coming to help out at club days does help you get to know members. Also, if it is quiet on the entries, club days have been opened up to those on the waiting list before, so definitely worth getting your name down.

Thanks for the info - I emailed yesterday to join the list but didn't realise I needed a nominator or seconder. Is this at the time of joining the list, or once you are offered a place? (Sorry if this is a silly question!).

 

[Edinburgh_lass]

Thanks for the info - I emailed yesterday to join the list but didn't realise I needed a nominator or seconder. Is this at the time of joining the list, or once you are offered a place? (Sorry if this is a silly question!).

Hi, not a silly question at all! No nominator or seconder needed until you complete your application form at the time of actually joining, this information is not needed to go onto the waiting list, hence plenty of time to come to events and make friends . I know the secretary is on holiday at the moment so please don't worry if you don't get a response immediately to your request to join.

 

[gembear]

I joined Almond in 2011 and there was no waiting list back then so something has definitely been missed Jenni, maybe drop the secretary an email to clarify. If you put your name on the list now, the wait is around 2 years currently. There is no queue jumping, no matter if you are known or help out etc, it is done purely on time on list but you do need a nominator and seconder, so coming to help out at club days does help you get to know members. Also, if it is quiet on the entries, club days have been opened up to those on the waiting list before, so definitely worth getting your name down.

I wasn't suggesting there was queue jumping, merely what you've said yourself - i think it helps to know those involved in the club, organizers or riders so everyone can put a face to a name. And I believe they're always happy to have helpers from the waiting list, which also helps you get familiar with the club.

That's what i've done, and will do whenever I can.

It's good that they sometimes take entries from the waiting list though, I didn't know that.
I would have loved to have gone to the showing show on Sunday, even if I just watched but going to dressage at Stobs instead.

They certainly seem to be worth the wait