nikkimariet
Well-Known Member
No and you only have to read articles over the past years of venues declining to host dressage shows/champs to understand that this is not a money making discipline.
Cost of Senior Inter Reginals (dressage)
- Thread starter Muddywellies
- Start date
Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
But, these prices are pricing many of us out if it. Tbh it's not the cost to compete on the day that made me start this post, more what you have to do to 'qualify'. Do you do all these classes and training (lots of pennies) to then apply and not be selected ?
daffy44
Well-Known Member
I've never done the inter-regionals, but I have clients who have done them, and they've had a great time, really enjoyed themselves and made good friends along the way. I think BD make the reasonable assumption that if you are considering the inter-regionals you are already out competing, and therefore you will have your four sheets anyway. Also quite a few people already train with the relevant trainers, so that might also be something you've already done, if not, I seem to remember the criteria for BD training events was quite loose, so the qualifying criteria shouldnt be excessive.
The competition itself is going to be expensive in terms of fuel, stabling and entries, even without hook up, but lets face it, we dont get into horses and especially competition for a less expensive life. We all have to make financial decisions, thats personal to every individual, there will always be people better and worse off than you, thats life. For example, I've done the Winters many times, but I've never paid for the hook up, as its ridiculous paying for the entire show when you my only need it for a couple of nights, that would be the financial straw that breaks me. I've generally only done the Premier Leagues that were local enough that I could drive back and forth without staying over to save on stabling, hook up etc. Whilst I've got the relevant scores to qualify two horses to do a Small Tour CDI I've chosen not to, as they are so expensive. These are my financial choices about competing, other people will be different, we have to do what we are comfortable with.
The competition itself is going to be expensive in terms of fuel, stabling and entries, even without hook up, but lets face it, we dont get into horses and especially competition for a less expensive life. We all have to make financial decisions, thats personal to every individual, there will always be people better and worse off than you, thats life. For example, I've done the Winters many times, but I've never paid for the hook up, as its ridiculous paying for the entire show when you my only need it for a couple of nights, that would be the financial straw that breaks me. I've generally only done the Premier Leagues that were local enough that I could drive back and forth without staying over to save on stabling, hook up etc. Whilst I've got the relevant scores to qualify two horses to do a Small Tour CDI I've chosen not to, as they are so expensive. These are my financial choices about competing, other people will be different, we have to do what we are comfortable with.
ihatework
Well-Known Member
Do you not compete and train irrespective?
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect applicants to be at a minimum standard tbh.
No one is forcing you to try out.
I mean I’d like to drive around in one of those fancy Porsche 4x4’s but bloody Porche are charging so much it’s pricing me out. Not fair
SEL
Well-Known Member
Thank you - I don't think the entry fees are horrendous for trailblazers and I'm pretty sure she'll only need one night so those costs aren't horrible. No idea on overnight though for the human. Not sure she's a back of the lorry camper typeI stayed overnight at Addington for the champs last week. There was a choice of temporary (£38 and might have bedding in / can leave clean bedding behind, pretty small but looked solid enough for temps - most of the pros were in there I think) or permanent (£58, empty, have to be left clean and empty, full rubber matting, lovely big stables - I went for these as I'm a softy (and I look after my loan horse better than my own)) stables. Bales of shavings were £9 each but you could take your own if space in your lorry and horsehage bales were £9 (I usually take my own but the yard has stopped doing haylage for the summer...horse needs hay to be soaked so I ended up buying a horsehage!).
Entry fees were steep but that's because it was the BD champs, I've no idea what Trailblazers will be like unfortunately!
Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
Well put like that, it's not going to be for me. I train a lot and am now at a reasonable level, but not at BD organised training, and I compete very sporadically. So it would cost me a fortune to apply, to then possibly not be selected. Not sure about the Porche comment.Do you not compete and train irrespective?
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect applicants to be at a minimum standard tbh.
No one is forcing you to try out.
I mean I’d like to drive around in one of those fancy Porsche 4x4’s but bloody Porche are charging so much it’s pricing me out. Not fair
U.N.Owen
Well-Known Member
Why not do inter county instead? Much cheaper to qualify for and compete at.
millitiger
Well-Known Member
I think you need 4 sheets at the level you're applying for, gained in the last 12 months.
So that's only 2 outings in a year??
Training can be test riding, being a demo rider, online Zoom training and they also accept one session to be volunteering or writing at a BD show... Not hard to achieve 3 of these in a year.
It's not unreasonable tbh.
j1ffy
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure how many people apply and aren't selected (I've never heard of anyone!). I did Novice in 2018 and my scores had been mid-high 60s, then Medium in 2019 when my scores were mostly around 64%. Each region has multiple teams and I get the feeling they like to cater for as many as possible.
But it's entirely optional so no need to do it if you don't fancy it!
HufflyPuffly
Well-Known Member
It was the case when I did it in 2018 that they really wanted anyone to join in really, they even made an exception for me to move regions as I did most of my competing and all my training in Wales and I do now live here, so I could be part of the team I knew best. It felt very inclusive and Topaz was always a mid 60's horse.
I don't know if they qualifying requirements have changed much since then, but if you are already out competing it didn't seem to really be that much extra to get the training requirements in. But I think it is aimed at people who are out there competing, training and immersed in BD, so there are some expectations about being committed to it. I was incredibly proud to be selected, felt a big deal to me anyway
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I don't know if they qualifying requirements have changed much since then, but if you are already out competing it didn't seem to really be that much extra to get the training requirements in. But I think it is aimed at people who are out there competing, training and immersed in BD, so there are some expectations about being committed to it. I was incredibly proud to be selected, felt a big deal to me anyway
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nikkimariet
Well-Known Member
Isn’t that just life though? I wish I could have retired by 30yo but alas, disappointment abounds…
Imagine the expense of training for Olympic selection and not getting your ticket. It happens to all of us at every level at every discipline.
smiggy
Well-Known Member
I applied at novice last year, three scores of between 69 and 72 and didn’t even get a reply !
smiggy
Well-Known Member
Oooh my current bugbear !
Because BD have changed the rules , so it’s bronze riders only , and if you have been to any championships at any level, you can’t do it.
It’s really annoying me now that I see them advertising on Facebook for unaffiliated riders to come and try out and join if they get in team. Feels like they are not valueing the people who actually pay membership year after year and pay the premium BD entry fees and get the points .
smiggy
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hijack but did you install yourself ? , the heater, not the hair dryer !
humblepie
Well-Known Member
My OH installed ours but he is a mechanic. He’s done a couple of others since. Ours came with a faulty glow plug so was a bit of a problematic fit. We put a small separate diesel tank in to the tack locker but you can fit the diesel supply from the existing tank.
I'm Dun
Well-Known Member
yes, pretty easy DIY job. Theres hundreds of youtube videos showing you how to do it. The newest one is a self contained unit that sits outside and pipes air in, but that's because its for a micro caravan where my payload is 80kgs so I can stick it in the car!
humblepie
Well-Known Member
That’s pretty clever on both accounts - the system and installing it
I'm Dun
Well-Known Member
There is literally nothing that doesnt have a video on youtube showing you how to do it. I've refurbed trailers, boats and now I'm onto caravans. I taught myself electrics, 12v and 240v, wood work, plumbing, all sorts. Its an amazing feeling to be able to do things yourself!
Cobwithattitudebackagain
Active Member
It is a privilege to represent your region - thoroughly enjoyable, if nerve-wracking and you make so many friends along the way. The memories last a lifetime too, hopefully. If you get the chance, do it - or there is always the Home Internationals too.