Best Way to move fowards? Dressage...

rara007

rara007

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As the title says really.
I feel I have done unaff. prelim now...I want to move on! I've only done about 6 but over a few years, I'm not always winning getting 70+% or anything but I want to move on. I don't want to be one of the people who do unaff. prelim forever
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I know I have missed the boat for BYRDS and U21UK really, and when I contacted them they were pretty much you're out of ponies but don't have a horse and you're not even good on a pony so don't bother us. Are either of these worth joining? They do both hold training locally but TBH their attitude stunk, I do realise I'm not going to the olympics bit I am committed and enthusiastic to learn! I don't want to miss out on the last few junior years I have and don't mind being the worst of a group of 10 YO children.

If not that, if I affiliated I know it's jumping the gun alittle but how do you
qualify for championships etc. ? How do you get involved in dressage to music? I'm mildly musical so it does appeal to me..

My local PC isn't 'dressage' atall... (But when I have my own transport I am so rejoining and
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)

Thanks for any advice!
 
You dont have to be Carl Hester/Laura B to affiliate. Just do it! If you are getting reasonably consistent marks at unaffiliated prelim then give it a go. BD welcomes all walks of life, I do have a leggy warmblood (who isnt always fantastic with flashy paces!) but I know people with natives, irish, tb's every type going that do BD. If you have a look on the BD website it gives you all the info you need - although be warned, they are having server problems at the moment so it is very slow! Re. qualifying you have to win class with over a certain % (more details on website), or you can do the PetPlans which is more "grassroots" - where Prelim & Novice you just have to achieve 2 tests in the same year at the same level with over 62% (I think) - you then qualify for the PetPlan regionals, and the winners now go through to the Finals at teh Winter CHamps in Hartbury. It really isnt all that scarey - us dressage lot are generally a friendly bunch!! Give it a go - or do 2 or 3 classes on a ticket first and see how you do. Sorry if a bit long winded!!
 
Yeh, So I do have a fair while left with them, but when I spike to them they were very negative about me being 17 and on a pony that wasn't FEI/above that. I have no problem with being with younger groups or being at the very bottom of the levels but they seemed to pretty much suggest I wasn't of the standard to join....
 
As you are in Essex you come under byrds Eastern. This is a brilliant and friendly group run by Lorrie Sisson. You can find her contact details on the BD websitrer under regions. They welcome everyone and run clinics and camps to help improve the horse or pony you happen to have. They do not need to be a certain standard. You can be put in a squad and try out to compete in the byrds inter-regionals. If you are over 25 Eastern Region also runs a similar scheme.
 
When I was in Juniors we had local unaffliated comps that qualified you for a BYRDS competition. It was a while ago (10 yrs). Final was held at a Affiliated festival. Gave me a taste of what to aim for and the winners got BD training. It was fairly tough competition (we got high 60%'s and no placings) Have you anything similar near you?
 
They say if you are achieving over 60% you should move up to the next class. I only do unaffiliated dressage and want to try a novice test this year. I took her to a local competition which had a blue chip qualifier and for her 2nd ever dressage we came 2nd (above some people who compete uanffiliated novice) and qualified for Blue Chip NW winter champs. At champs she scored 60.4% but didnt feel in best form that day (probably in season lol) and i was told that we should be progressing onto novice with her becuase she did really well. Just because you don't get placed though doesn't mean you are no good and shouldnt move onto the next level, as long as your horse is capable of the required movements there is no harm in giving it a go at least to say you have tried it anyway
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