children and dressage

ellis9905

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 February 2011
Messages
417
Visit site
so my 8 yr old daughter wants to start to ride some dressage tests- now i must admit i know very little about the sphere of riding!

all our local shows have the usual in hand/ lr/ first ridden showing classes plus the usual jumping classes- but nowhere seems to do dressage- so numpty question- are there seperate shows that are just dressage?? how do i go about finding some low level local classes?

any advice gratefully recieved! :)
 
Your local PC may be able to help, although most are jumping orientated. Is there a competition venue near you, they usually hold dressage comps throughout the year and would be a good place to start.,

If she is really keen a good instructor will be required to help get her riding to the standard where she can enjoy taking part, knowing that she is well prepared will make it easier and more fun.

If you put your area someone may give you ideas of venues nearby.
 
Lots of riding clubs and competiton centers will run dressage and most of them will be very friendly to children making it as welcoming as possible for them.
 
Dressage is usually run as separate stand alone competitions, and at places with all weather surfaces now, very unusual for pure dressage to be on grass nowadays.

If she's interested in learning more in that direction, then look at British Dressage's BYRDS training - "Fledglings" is specially for young children and gives you access to some very good training/trainers at very reasonable prices!
 
I'd try local riding clubs & pony clubs, & local comp venues. If its her first time, the secretary should be happy to help, but really you want an intro test first off, which is just walk & trot, or if she's up to it could try a preliminary which has canter. Keep an eye out for local small stuff too, late autumn my local show are doing 'fun dressage' think they have a few low level tests for adults, but then its 'childrens dressage' with a very basic intro test and then a childrens dressage to music, where they get to make up their own test to a pop song, so keep an eye out for similar near you.
 
thank you for all the replys, we're based in south northants, close to northampton and milton keynes.

will check out fledglings and trailblaizers.

:)
 
Top