BUSA Leagues

[Penguinboots]

Heya, I'm starting uni next week and I'm thinking about trying out for the BUSA leagues. Does anybody know what sort of level are they at? I haven't really done much competing in the past but I feel ready to start! I know it's dressage and SJ, is that a combined training type thing or it it seperate classes? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks in advance!

 

[beckymed]

what uni u goin to coz it will hugely depend on that.
Basically you get shown 4 different horses for dressage and sj, u watch them be ridden briefly then u have to chose a horse to ride for each member of the team then u have 10 mins (i think) to warm them up then you do a basic dressage test or a small sj (no more than 3ft but normally bout 2ft6 depending on the ability of the horses).
Hope this is helpfull any other qu's just ask
x

 

[teapot]

I think in the actual BUSA comps, dressage starts at novice and works it way up

Showjumping - think it starts around 2ft9/3ft

Of course the friendly leagues start much lower.

Have a nosy on the BUSA website, has lots of info

 

[Santa_Claus]

very much depends on the university. At Exeter the standard was relatively high so we liked riders to be able to be capable of at least an elementary test and be capable of happily jumping 1m on a strange horse although in competitions it was rarely bigger than 90cm.

This doesn't mean you have to have competed at the various levels though. Team captain as I left had never done a dressage test before joining the club but went straight into the BUSA squad as although not having done a test she rode correctly and effectively and was able to produce the required results.

Also don't be put off again if you don't compete much, the team selectors should be looking for your confidence and ability to produce the best results possible from a horse in a limited time. Yes some of the horses will be donkeys but you need to get from them what the other riders can't.

 

[Penguinboots]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to Bristol uni, I just looked into it and they've got two 'serious' teams and one friendly, so one of those should suit me! Sound like a lot of fun actually, think I'll give it ago...the worst that can happen is that I'll have to try again next year! Oh, and another thing- do youhave to pay for team lessons/training or is that paid for by the uni? Thanks again!

 

[Santa_Claus]

Bristol is a high standard as well. Bossanova is(was!?!) very much involved with their teams so shes the best person to ask. They train their first team at Talland the rest at huntley I think, and unless they have a generous AU you will have to pay for the weekly training sessions.

 

[Bossanova]

You may need to speak very nicely to me seeing as I have a large influence in selection

No, we try to be very fair really. To get asked to trials you need to have proved you can ride different horses at a reasonable standard- generally if you've got your PC B test or similar and/or have competed a bit then we will ask you but we do get inundated with people and only 16 places at trials so we inevitably miss out some people who prob would be good- thats who the friendlys are designed for.
We have 3 BUSA teams, just to re-assure you, 2 people on teams last year hadnt even ever had their own horse!

The comps are a novice standard dressage test followed by a course of jumps supposedly 2'9ish. The standard of horses we get vaires greatly- from riding school cobs to ex-advanced eventers/prix st georges dressage horses!! The scoring system is a devil to understand but they are run as combined training.

 

[Penguinboots]

Cool, thanks for all the info! Will you/the club be at fresh? Can I fnd out more then? Thanks!!!

 

[Bossanova]

[ QUOTE ]
Cool, thanks for all the info! Will you/the club be at fresh? Can I fnd out more then? Thanks!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

yes indeed- I will prob be there both days and we have trial forms there

 

[haybales]

crikey, your team trials sound a bit frightening! ours is a manic free for all!

 

[teapot]

This is all useful stuff for when we get ours up and running (that's if I can get hold of my mate - she seems to have taken to being a fresher like a duck to water)