British Dressage - dumb questions I'm afraid to ask anyone šŸ¤£

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JCbruce

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Hello, I completed my first BD at the weekend, it went well! But I have a couple of silly questions.

- if I am in an indoor with no external boards, am I allowed to circle before my test starts? My bell was rang at B so I just popped down the centre line, I know I get 45 seconds but wasn't sure if I would make it the whole way around again, could I have popped a 20 m circle ?

- my friend said I didn't need to say my name because of my numbers, she said just smile and say good morning but at the weekend when I got down there past the judges box they asked for my name, is this standard?

-when competing at a bigger venue with huge arena and they may have a couple of arenas boarded, do you still ride around the outside or circle at the top around A until the bell goes?

Sorry if these are stupid questions šŸ¤£šŸ¤·šŸ»
 
First let me say that these are definitely not stupid questions - there was once a time when even Carl Hester didn't know the answers!

- if I am in an indoor with no external boards, am I allowed to circle before my test starts? My bell was rang at B so I just popped down the centre line, I know I get 45 seconds but wasn't sure if I would make it the whole way around again, could I have popped a 20 m circle ?

Yes absolutely fine to have done a circle, to set you up better for your turn at A.

- my friend said I didn't need to say my name because of my numbers, she said just smile and say good morning but at the weekend when I got down there past the judges box they asked for my name, is this standard?

You don't need to announce yourself, but I can tell you that from a writer's point of view it makes a massive difference to give either your name or number - some numbers are hard to read.

- when competing at a bigger venue with huge arena and they may have a couple of arenas boarded, do you still ride around the outside or circle at the top around A until the bell goes?

You should have enough room to ride all the way round, as the arenas shouldn't be less than a certain distance apart (sorry can't remember off hand how far), but if you are unsure, you can always watch a couple of people go before you, or ask the steward.
 
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Yes second the bit about giving your name. Most people have numbers on their saddle cloths, and it's really hard to read them when somebody is trotting round. It's great when somebody tells us their name as they are passing.

If you can't go round outside the boards you can do anything within the arena before the bell, apart from come down the centre line. Although it's not really done to start practising the test :) - that confuses everybody!
 
I always halt at the judges car and make sure the writer can read the number, it is normal for them to acknowledge you when they get the number. They should have a list with the running order and numbers
 
silv said:
I always halt at the judges car and make sure the writer can read the number, it is normal for them to acknowledge you when they get the number. They should have a list with the running order and numbers
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Yep, I always stop, say good morning/hello and give my name and number.
 
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