BD Young Horse Classes??? any help

[Stacey]

Hi there, I have become very interested in dressage now i have a stunning horse to play on. He is 4 this year and a friend told me he would be suitable to do young horse classes.
I am normally into sj as i am a sj groom and have been for 5 yrs now, so was wandering what BD age classes are like, if they are like sj age classes.
How do they work, are breeding lines considered ect.

Any help of experienced BD peeps would be great, xx

 

[carthorse]

i did one last year it was very high class nearly all top pros on stallions.i did ok but felt a bit outclassed and my young horse has been scoring between 65% and 75% ever since and i haven't seen any of the stallions since.have a go the judge was really nice and very knowledgable

 

[Nailed]

they are very competetive but there is no hamr in doing them. The are good for the young horses as they test them but not too much.

No swan necked spurs.
Lou x

 

[Partoow]

Its great that you have a loveley young horse that you want to do dressage. young horse classes are ok but they really have become a bit like 'circus and i think you would be successful in 'normal' classes and you would be able to start at prelim and try and qualify for the prelim champs with a lovely horse. The good thing about doing the 'levels' is that it will guide you along the correct training lines, the scales of training. As you are new to the system this will give you the guidance someone like you with the right horse and your enthusiasm. If later you decide to try the young horse classes then have a go .The young horse classes start with the 4yr old BD basic . 5yr National level BD Novice young horse test 2004.These tests are available from British Dressage there are others they go up to 6yr old international test and in the final this will include flying changes. There is also the British Young Horse Championship at Hickstead these include national and international classes for 5yr and 6yr olds so you see you have time!!!!
There is also the SEIB young horse evaluation series which is a little like showing but the horse's conformation is assessed .You do a free program normally showing walk trot and canter and is more for the young perforance horse and is for showjumpers , dressage and eventers and is more about the hoses way of going that is natural to the horse and they do not need to be over produced.
I hope this gives you some ideas keep an eye out in the horse and hound as they tend to have the contact details for the SEIB classes but there is also the Badminton championship for young dressage horses. Like all of the classes mensioned there are qualifiers all around the country. they can be a little 'hairy' to say the least as lots of talented youngsters doing their stuff can be 'interesting'!! You certainly get to understand what expressive paces are!!! I would suggest you go along and watch one or two so you get the idea. Inthe meantime start a prelim some where quiet and have fun and success!!!!

 

[Tempi]

its really stiff competition, you get all the big name riders like Carl and Spencer on top quality imported youngsters! However i like you now have a good horse and im hoping to have a bash at the 6yo classes this year providing everything goes to plan.

I think its one of those things you do for experience, which is certainly why im going to do it, and not to win!!

 

[Stacey]

thanks everyone, you have really helped.
I am going to look into the SEIB classes that are mentioned they sound interesting.
When i come back from sunshine tour i will post a few pics of him and a vid, see what you guys reckon.
I need comments and crit if i want to do this seriosly, and have training ect lined up for when i get back.
Many thanks again.
xx