Do I? Don't I?

Eriskayowner

Eriskayowner

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I've just noticed on the Riding Diary that there is a CT/Dressage competition near the stables next Sunday. It's a local riding club that's running it, and I know a couple of members and committee members and they all seem really friendly.

I am now thinking "Do I enter the walk and trot test"?

Pros:

I need a goal at the moment as hacking is fine, but I'm getting in the mood of "I'll go tomorrow . . ."

I want to see how Jazzy'll react at a competition. I've taken him to a SJ competition warm up arena and he was fine. This (I'm assuming) is on grass so it'll be interesting.

Cons:

I don't have transport - I'll have to hack him 5 miles there and back. It'll do him good though, and will take the edge off any antics that might ensue.

I'm really not very fit :(

I haven't done a dressage competition for at least 8 years.

Jazzy (as far as I know) has never done a dressage competition.

His flat work is coming on (can get a really nice outline now in walk, and trot is becoming more consistant), but is he ready?

What do I do?!
 
Go for it! It is always good to have a goal and also, it will do you both good to get out and about. It could be fun. Just go and have fun.

Good Luck
 
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If your horse is fit enough, I would go for it!

These classes are designed as an introduction for novice riders/young or inexperienced horses and most riding clubs are very supportive. I started off doing this kind of competition (though walk/trot tests didn't seem to exist at the time) and found them fairly relaxed and enjoyable.

If you decide not to do this one, are there any more comps coming up you could target?

Good luck whatever you decide, and remember to post if you go, letting us know how you got on.
 
Thanks guys - I knew I'd get some encouragement on here! There just seems to be many more cons than pros (I think having my own transport would help) but it seems like a nice intro competition for him.

I might have to buy some cream jods ;)

Thanks for the luck and encouragement - very grateful xxx
 
I would defintely take the plunge and go for it!! I did it with my cob and we havent looked back, we go out to something or another every weekend now!!!
 
Right, this is where I personally give you a kick up the backside - returning the favour! If Iam out there doing stuff on Meg with nerves I've never known before, then a 5 mile hack and a low key dressage is a walk in the park for you!!!
Get out there, show them what your made of and show off Jazzy and the progress you have made.
Now, go enter it. !!!
 
Ruthnmeg said:
Right, this is where I personally give you a kick up the backside - returning the favour! If Iam out there doing stuff on Meg with nerves I've never known before, then a 5 mile hack and a low key dressage is a walk in the park for you!!!
Get out there, show them what your made of and show off Jazzy and the progress you have made.
Now, go enter it. !!!
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Yes Mummy ;)

Ruth, I've never got above 60% in a dressage test (but to be fair that was on Sir Stargazer "don't touch my mouth" Blackjack, BSJA !) so might be low key to you who's done PN eventing (! :P) but I seriously don't really know what kind of stage we're at, but that's one of the reasons I want to go is just to get some basic feedback.

Jazzy majorly freaks out in a school as he's been seriously thrashed in there, and I've never done any schooling on grass, but I think it'll be fun :S

Entries close on Monday but they will take late entries. I can drive over to secs tomorrow though and drop £8 off . . . :)

Thanks Ruth xxx
 
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Eriskayowner said:
Yes Mummy ;)

Ruth, I've never got above 60% in a dressage test (but to be fair that was on Sir Stargazer "don't touch my mouth" Blackjack, BSJA"!) so might be low key to you who's done PN eventing (! :P) but I seriously don't really know what kind of stage we're at, but that's one of the reasons I want to go is just to get some basic feedback.

Jazzy majorly freaks out in a school as he's been seriously thrashed in there, and I've never done any schooling on grass, but I think it'll be fun :S

Entries close on Monday but they will take late entries. I can drive over to secs tomorrow though and drop £8 off . . . :)

Thanks Ruth xxx
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LOL, Hey, your not alone in that dressage score!! I've yet to break the 60% barrier and would oh so love to be under 40 eventing.

There is always a first time, and then the bug will hit! Positive calm thoughts Em.... you go for it.
 
Thanks Ruth! I'll do my best to be there on Sunday, although I might be hitting the school now :)

Thanks everyone - I'm glad that nobody has (yet) gone down the route of "get your a**e in the school and school him before you even consider getting inside the white boards". I do school him on hacks and he is now soft, pliable, willing and gorgeous in walk, but he has been seriously screwed over and he does have a "let's get there as fast as we can to get it over and done with" problem which is getting better, but it means that trotting/cantering is kept to a minimum, which of course means that schooling in these paces is more difficult.

I've done more work on trotting recently and could keep him soft for quite a while and he's sitting back on his hocks more now, rather than leaning on me, then pulling like a train!

Right - off to the secretary's tomorrow then!!!

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I know what I said before, but I have just thought of something else.

Tbh, this is what I would do. I would enter, then on the day tell myself that I am just going to hack over there and see how it goes. When you get there and horsey is being good, just think - well, I may as well go in and see what happens.

I always tell myself that if we stay in the arena for the whole test and actually do all the movements at the right place (with no bucking or cantering) then it is a success!!!

See - I know exactly how you feel!!!
 
WetandMuddy said:
I know what I said before, but I have just thought of something else.

Tbh, this is what I would do. I would enter, then on the day tell myself that I am just going to hack over there and see how it goes. When you get there and horsey is being good, just think - well, I may as well go in and see what happens.

I always tell myself that if we stay in the arena for the whole test and actually do all the movements at the right place (with no bucking or cantering) then it is a success!!!

See - I know exactly how you feel!!!
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Yay!!! Someone else with my mindset! I always worry that I'm a bit outclassed on here! It's nice to know there's someone who understands where I'm coming from!

I'm not the world's most competitive person (which really annoys any one I play tennis/squash with as I don't see the point in killing my knees going for every ball!) so it's not the rosette I'm interested in. If I get one, great, if I don't, then I'll probably have had a great time, and Jazzy will surpass himself (I set him very low expectations, then I can't be disappointed!)

I've never had him buck or rear or bugger off with me - we have an understanding! So he should be well behaved (especially after a 5 mile hack!) so we'll go for the experience!

I've just realised that it gives me an excuse to see him plaited up as well - I've never plaited him before - yippee!!!
 
I've done it!!!! I've entered! It's the PC D Level 1 test - should be OK! Even I hack over and back and get him used to the sights and sounds it'll be an achievement, but my name is down!

I rode him today and did lots of trotting - even over the moor, on a nice loose rein. Not bad considering we'd previously just been chased by an f'ing hornet, but hey!
 
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