Derby House Dressage Horse for the Future

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Has anyone heard of this competition?
Is it the same as the BD young horse classes or something new?

They are holding a qualifier near us in March and was thinking of entering Cat but may be well out of my depth as I fear the class will be full of huge, over produced flashy horses, sleek and fat as butter etc etc, a tall order mid March! It involves being presented in hand to asses conformation and suitability followed by a freestyle test that must include walk, trot and canter on both reins, a few lengthened strides in trot and free walk.

Sounds simple enough, have done lots of showing, but has anyone entered this before, I really don't want to turn up and look a t***t with my home produced hairy warmblood cross Aberdeen Angus!

 

[TayloredEq]

Don't put yourself down before you even get there!!!

Is this the same class as the Badminton young horse class which was sponsored by Derby house? If so read on, if not ignore!!!

I did these clases a few years ago. I would say to you not to worry at all about what the competition looks like, just go out there, present your horse to the best of your ability and write yourself a lovely flowing little test to show him off under saddle.

But I would have several words of warning - WHEN you qualify think very carefully about whether or not you go to the final.

When I went down I was competing against Peter Storr, Carl Hester, Damian Hallam etc so if competing against the big names puts you off then think about that.

Secondly the warm up is on the middle of a massive huge field next to a load of pony club/riding club people warming up. these people are not always aware that you might be on a green youngster. If you are used to showing then maybe this aspect won't worry you.

Thirdly the arena is a 5 minute walk away from the working in. It was held in the small indoor at Badminton, with the spectators very close at the end. So consider if your horse needs to be worked right up to the moment you enter the arena then this might not be ideal.

On the one hand it is a great learning experience for the youngsters. On the other hand it can be a lot for some young horses to take in, so consider the brain on your youngster and react accordingly.

Hope this helps.

 

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When I went down I was competing against Peter Storr, Carl Hester, Damian Hallam etc so if competing against the big names puts you off then think about that.

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Well yes this was my concern and the fact they have to qualify somewhere as well so I could be up against them from the off!

Yes it is the Badminton comp'. I was going to do a few showing classes with him this year anyway as I believe it's good experience for any horse. I tend not to worry too much about what else is happening around me having had to contend with bungee jumping, heavy horses and more recently the Army tug of war team in the next ring, nothing surprises me anymore.

I was more worried about looking totally out of place, wearing all the wrong kit etc etc and wanting to crawl off into a corner. Thankfully Cat seems to be a very sensible young man, very grown up for 4, I just don't want blow his mind. We have been to the venue in question a couple of times now and he's taken it very well for a baby. Any other pearls of wisdom/advice/photos gratefully received

 

[TFS]

yes we qualified two last year for it, and yes it is the badminton one, we found that its a little more lower key than the numed ones, the four and five yr olds are combined together, its worth ago!!

 

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[ QUOTE ]
yes we qualified two last year for it, and yes it is the badminton one, we found that its a little more lower key than the numed ones, the four and five yr olds are combined together, its worth ago!!

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Thanks TFS glad about that as heard all sorts about the 'young horse' classes like, over produced etc then you never see them again at 7/8. There don't seem to be many rules on the entry form or guidance as to whether classes would be split. I've got visions of 30+ entries taking forever to judge and paint drying springs to mind. How do they run the qualifiers?