Can someone give me a talking to please?!

T

tigers_eye

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I've been looking at the event calendar thinking about where to go for the coming months and I am just itching to have a bash at an Intermediate with William! I'm sure he'd do it for me, but my responsible, grown-up voice in my head tells me I should cool it and spend this year focussing on his flatwork, as I will probably be looking at a career around the 35 - 40 dressage mark if I hurry him into the more advanced work now.... Whereupon the impulsive child voice in my head has a massive sulk and stamps feet...... Could someone just tell me that I should allow myself the odd Novice run to keep us sane but really do something about this dressage?! Please?! It's just I see a long boring summer punctuated by minimum titillation.....
 
Do it, the shoulder in and travers might improve his dressage and not make him more tense or anything like that, you got rein back as well haven't you?
 
Nah, go for it then.

What's the winter for, if not to improve dressage?
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He's a very chilled cookie, one you can really ride in a test which is a nice change. The canter is probably the weakest bit at that level, he needs to sit a lot more. He can do rein back quite nicely. I needn't move up straight away, but it would be nice to aim for Knaptoft or something a bit later on wouldn't it? Now look what you've made me think! That wasn't supposed to happen!
 
I would do it, it is going to be an easier test than the one at Mattingly. You think he'll cope with the jumping bits?
 
And you're just as bad as DD! As far as I can see the only reason to move him up is to get my adrenalin fix, would it really be to his benefit at this point in his career?

Oh, and the winter is fine for dressage if you have an indoor school, I prefer to give my horses a holiday and minimize the amount I freeze!
 
*sensible person walks in*

Noooo don't do it!
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Seriously though, if you're keeping him, what is the rush? Go and do a bungee jump or come and take Ernie around his first Pre N if you fancy scaring yourself
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Having a pole jumping never seems to upset eventers
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so I wouldn't worry about that. They do it all the time at Badminton
 
Hmmm. Why did you have to come and spoil the party?!
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You do have a very valid point - the grown-up in my head agrees with you.

Small chi;ld in head points out that Mary King took King's Temptress and King's Gem Intermediate in the middle of their seasons as 6 yo's. And if it's good enough for her
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Ok, I won't do it as long as you send me Ernie in return. Or pay my diesel to get to you!
 
I would try it, you can always go back to Novice, are you planning on keeping him or selling?

If he was a dressage horse at 6 would he be expected to do those dressage movements?
 
Oh, I regularly threaten to sell him but I doubt I ever would! I doubt anyone would want him to be honest! If he was a dressage horse he wouldn't be out competing at the moment, he would be being worked on at home.
 
Go for it, if it doesnt go to plan, take a step back until next year. You have to be brave sometime...you wouldnt do it if you didnt think he could handle it.
 
My question is do you think his flatwork is good enough to cope with the more technical questions you will have in an intermediate, with like combinations and turns etc. If so then there is no reason why you shouldnt have a bash, the difference bettwen going now, and taking your time will only be placings if he isnt going to score good marks in the dressage
 
I personally wouldn't just because I think 6 is a little young and there's no point in hurrying, but then if he's coping with novice then he's obviously happy and confident enough......

It's really up to you! You know your horse and how he'd cope. I also long to do an intermediate, just for that amazing feeling Id get crossing the finish line (hopefully) since Ive never done beyond novice. We also are coping great with novice but Im holding back moving up because I still dont think our XC is smooth enough to get all the technical turns. Plus, Im a woose and am worried about damaging my horse because I dont know if my riding is to be trusted at that level!
 
Maybe do several more novices and the re evaluate towards the middle of the summer. If all is going well then maybe it is worth having a bash at Intermediate. From his results he doesn't seem to be struggling/
 
We still haven't got the dressage but but I don't see why it can't improve just as quickly whatever level you are doing. Let's face it jumping becomes more important so go for it.
 
Why not

a) do lots of dressage - you won't do well until your dressage is up to scratch and the schooling will pay off in the SJ phase as well

b) do some XC schooling over the bigger fences for the thrill factor

c) Try team chasing for the thrill and to boost his confidence

If you are affiliated your record will be there forever for all to see if you rush and do badly. When they are rushed they always take two step forward and one back and can end up with all sorts of issues that a slow and steady build up will avoid.


And well done for not just giving in to your impatient voice!!!

Good luck
 
It seems there are two camps here aren't there?! It wouldn't be straight away anyway as he will have an easy June due to other commitments, and then will prbably spend most of July getting back up to speed. If my other horse sells I will be able to send him away for some dressage schooling for a few weeks whilst I'm busy which would be great. So I'll behave myself for the next few months, and then I'll evaluate the itchy feet situation again! Thanks all so much for your input, very interesting to hear everyone's points of view.
 
I am a very amateur rider who has just managed a few intermediate runs with my mare. She is now 11 and loves the XC her problem is the rider. My SJ is not that good and I'm never going to be highly placed after dressage. My ultimate aim is a CCI** and I might just about get there one day.
I think I am right in saying that you are a better rider than me and can probably make up your own mind but here is my take on it. If you want to do it just for you - then don't. If you feel that the horse is ready and needs more of a challenge then fine. If you are concerned about spoiling your horse then I guess you just need to be careful. Choose the venue v carefully, in the dressage don't rush introducing movements although I suspect that he is already capable of all the required movements (you could also try to pick a venue with a test that suits him). Also if you did go for it be prepared to w/d or retire if it feels that you are pushing him.
A lot of rambling but I hope some of it makes sense / helps.
 
he is your horse and you know if he will be able to cope as long as you go with your eyes open and probably dont expect something amazing then why not !! you will also probably realise from doing one waht things you need to work on and improve !!

you never get anybetter keeping at the same level either you always push yourself !!!

as someone said a 6yo dressage horse would be asked to do those movements so why shouldnt you !! the comments from the judges will help too !!!
 
At intermediate you get some quite serious bounces - I've only ever seen one a Novice level, so I'd want to do a bit more work on them at home. I usually only use them in grids at about 2' - 2'6", so I'd want to push them up a bit with knock down poles before we had to jump them xc! They've made Novice more technical over the last few years so he's had to deal with turning lines to skinnes etc, which there would be more of at Intermediate level.

I'm going to stick to what I said, a few more months with some Novice runs, hopefully some lessons/schooling by someone who knows what they are doing on the flat, then maybe some Intermediates at the end. Having said that Gatcombe * is the September aim, and if I've sorted out my nationality Le Lion could be this years end-aim, which along with 2 PAVO qualifiers (which are Novices), actually leaves me with not much time for other stuff anyway I suppose!

Thanks again all!
 
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