Competition Livery Expectations

[Lennyl]

Hi all, just looking for some advice. My mare has been in competition livery for three and a half months.
To be fair she was originally being competed as a dressage horse but her talent (and it would appear her preference) is for showjumping.
Now I know she needed to start learning how to be a showjumper, but during this time she has only been on one outing at a non registered show where she was great, clear round and coped really well with the atmosphere. She hasn't even been anywhere else for schooling.
I would have thought she would be doing far more, not being from a show jumping background maybe this rate of progression is normal?

 

[Upthecreek]

I would want to be involved in making the plan for my horse with the competition livery yard owner/manager and to know what level of service I could expect to receive. If you think the horse should be doing more, tell them and see what they say! It’s difficult for people who don’t know your horse to comment on what your expectations of progression should be, but you are paying the livery bills and have every right to question what is or isn’t being done.

 

[Abacus]

How old is she? It depends on whether she is ready for competition: no point if, at home, she is still falling over the jumps or can't jump a round of very small fences without major drama. But if she can do this, and it sounds as though she can, I would probably expect that she is out more frequently even at a very low level. And yes, going to different venues to get used to a variety of places and fences. Agree with the above that you need to speak to the livery yard manager and make a plan. Is it specifically a showjumping yard? - maybe you need a place where they are routinely going out several times per week?

 

[Quigleyandme]

Progression is going to be influenced by various factors like age, breeding, natural ability, the professionalism of the yard she is with and your ambitions for her. Presumably as she is at competition livery you think she has potential as a serious competition prospect? When I had a Dublin quality but quirky four year old at sales livery I received a weekly report with videos of his progress. He only went to training shows and hires after his flat work was at an appropriate level but his progress was measurable and showed improvement week on week. It isn’t a quick process if done correctly but you have every right to be involved and kept informed.

 

[Cortez]

Why don't you ask the people responsible for her training? Depends on so many things: age, balance, fitness, level of training. If she's just coming to jumping and is fairly young she may need a much higher level of fitness (dressage and jumping use different muscles, in different ways) and rideability.

 

[SO1]

I wonder if the weather might have made travelling unsafe in some situations. We have had some storms and really cold spells and winter there might not be masses of choices in terms of shows. Things tend to slow down a bit over the Xmas break as well.

 

[ihatework]

This is 100% about good communication- I would hope the yard would lead the way but unfortunately there are a lot of horsey pros that can fail on this and it’s left to the owner.
So ask them when is best to sit down over a cuppa to discuss progress and plans.

 

[Glitter's fun]

I wouldn't want to put a horse somewhere that rushes the process so that they have exciting things to report. She needs to build the right muscles, otherwise she could get injured. Maybe if she has been to a lot of dressage comp.s they think that getting used to show atmosphere isn't what she most needs? The "maybe" is the problem there! You are paying a professional to do something for you & you have a right to know what you're paying for.
How often do you visit her? When did you last chat to them about her progress?

 

[rara007]

Having been through a similar thing recently schedule a meeting (or pop by depending on set up/arrangement) asap. You need to keep the communication flowing as it’s not a given they will. There could be all sorts of reasons beyond just not getting on with it but you need to know why, and they’re not telling you!