Dressage warm-up arena etiquette

[Marigold4]

Took my young, silly horse to an Intro this morning. His second time in a warm up. The mounting block was in the warm-up arena so I decided to get on in there. I didn't see what happened next as I had my back to it, but as I put my left foot in the stirrup and raised myself up my horse took off at high speed and next thing I knew, we were in the middle of the arena with the steward mouthing OMG. I asked what had happened and apparently a lady on a large, experienced horse had ridden straight at me in full trot. I guess she knew she was going to turn, but my horse didn't! Would you expect people to take a little more care if it's an intro (being a competition for young, inexperienced riders and horses)? Should I not have mounted in the arena? Probably not (?), but I couldn't see a mounting block anywhere else.

 

[Tiddlypom]

What an unfortunate experience for your young horse.

Ideally you'd have mounted somewhere out of the way and quiet, so not in the warm up arena at all, but the other competitor was being an entitled t1t by riding right up behind or at a horse being mounted.

Unfortunately too many competitors are entitled t1ts in the warm up. Best to presume that they all are and act accordingly.

 

[splashgirl45]

Definitely wrong whatever level you are riding at.. some people just are inconsiderate

 

[Marigold4]

It quite upset me that someone would do that. I then transferred my upset to horse so nothing went right after that. I need to get a thicker skin!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Some people are just complete arse holes unfortunately.

I had similar thing happen to me once was at a fairly low key show and Arabi was only young, had this woman on a great huge maxi cob came thundering past me and he lost the plot, she then continued to do it I'm sure she was doing it on purpose I had to come out in the end.

 

[ihatework]

Yes you shouldn’t have really been mounting in the warm up - but FFS it doesn’t give the other rider the right to act like a total prick!

 

[Marigold4]

Some people are just complete arse holes unfortunately.

I had similar thing happen to me once was at a fairly low key show and Arabi was only young, had this woman on a great huge maxi cob came thundering past me and he lost the plot, she then continued to do it I'm sure she was doing it on purpose I had to come out in the end.

This was a low key event. When I go in to the warm-up, I'm thinking, OK so there's a young person looking nervous on a pony over there, so give them lots of room; that horse over there looks wired, so stay clear, etc. I just can't get my head round the oblivious to everyone else approach! Up until recently I haven't gone in the warm up at all as it's only 20 x 40 and there's a lot going on around the sides - I think I'll go back to warming up at home and then straight in.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I follow the warm up etiquette, left to left etc, but I only concentrate on my horse. I can't worry about what everyone else's horses may or may not do!! I couldn't cope with that!!

 

[hock]

Oh god that sounds traumatic, hope it hasn’t done too much to his confidence (and yours)!

Collecting rings are usually ok but I have learnt that occasionally you get that one “lady/gentleman” that thinks the rules don’t apply. I can spot them now at 50 paces and they’re usually half passing in prep for their intro . My advice is hold the line (but tricky on a baby) and stick your whip out in their direction. I started off very meek and mild and still am mostly but “don’t duck with my horse” is my theme now. We all have the same rights to be there!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Yes you shouldn’t have really been mounting in the warm up - but FFS it doesn’t give the other rider the right to act like a total prick!

If it had been a movable block it should have been taken out but agree not a safe place to mount.

 

[Pinkvboots]

This was a low key event. When I go in to the warm-up, I'm thinking, OK so there's a young person looking nervous on a pony over there, so give them lots of room; that horse over there looks wired, so stay clear, etc. I just can't get my head round the oblivious to everyone else approach! Up until recently I haven't gone in the warm up at all as it's only 20 x 40 and there's a lot going on around the sides - I think I'll go back to warming up at home and then straight in.

I've actually helped someone in a warm up that was having trouble before now but if I see a horse looking fired up I will try to stay away if possible.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Although in the past its normally me on the fired up hot head Arab

Thats why I like an outdoor showing show as you can normally find a quiet corner and work some energy off without other horses winding them up, I do find dressage warmups particularly hairy at times and one of mine really takes offence to horses whizzing past.

 

[Lady Jane]

They shouldn't have the mounting block in the arena, and with a young horse I would have asked someone to hold them while I got on. But people are so inconsiderate. I trust no one. And at times I have had an oops moment and probably upset someone. But the experienced riders shold be more careful, you can usually see who may be a bit young & wobbly. I would wear a green ribbon to hopefully make people aware. Better luck for next time

 

[Irish Sally]

I would buy them fold up step some people have and get on somewhere quiet with someone holding him. Then when you know he's somewhat settled I would go into the warm up then. It'll all be worth it. It's so rewarding when you can see your youngsters progress.

 

[Mouse19]

I hate warm ups. I’ve ridden at big internationals and it’s still carnage with so called pros.
I was out at a small unaff a few weeks ago with a green horse and ended up yelling at a teenager who should have given way to me to pass left to left but didn’t and dived up a corner to chat to her boyfriend. She apologised but I felt a fool anyway as my horse had a meltdown in the test and we retired. I was in the cafe after and heard the boyfriend say “you’ve beaten that grumpy cow”

 

[toppedoff]

i think it was hoys or somewhere else am not sure but someone barged past another person and bumped into their horse and continued on

 

[Goldenstar]

It can be the Wild West in warm ups .
I would not get on in the warm up arena however of I saw someone getting on I would assume their was an issue and get right out of the way .

 

[Marigold4]

I think she was riding through the test over and over using the whole arena so didn't want to change course. I definitely won't be getting on in the warm up again. It was a silly thing to do but it was the only mounting block I could find. I'll bring my own next time.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I think she was riding through the test over and over using the whole arena so didn't want to change course.

That type will be well familiar to regular competitors . Total tunnel vision and everyone else can go hang.

Even my saint of a dressage horse found the warm ups intimidating. He would heave a sigh of relief when entering the arena proper to start his test knowing that the other horses wouldn't get him in there.

Can you get someone to help you the next few times? Hold the horse for mounting etc?

 

[SEL]

I think she was riding through the test over and over using the whole arena so didn't want to change course. I definitely won't be getting on in the warm up again. It was a silly thing to do but it was the only mounting block I could find. I'll bring my own next time.

Hope you're both ok. I think a lot of people don't understand there are rules for riding in a group situation (left hand passing, walk on inside track etc) and just expect everyone to get out of their way

I've had quite a few people give me a dirty look when I'm trying to pass left to left

If I saw someone mounting I'd swing wide and not think anything of it. In fact I'd probably come back to walk too.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

I would absolutely not have got on a green horse on a mounting block in a warm-up arena. Ideally I would have a helper when introducing a young or inexperienced horse to a competition environment. The block should not really be in there as it is a potential hazard in a busy arena. When I organised dressage I used to make sure there wasn’t any equipment left in the arenas.

Having said that there are some terribly rude riders out there fortunately I’ve not met many. Although the other rider was inconsiderate things do happen in arenas - the other day someone fell off and horse careered around the arena and mounting in my opinion is one of the potentially most risky things we do. I’ve trained mine to wait for a treat and he is difficult to move until he has had it. It means I can mount almost anywhere pretty safely.

 

[millitiger]

Definitely wouldn't mount in the warm up- particularly on a young horse that you yourself call silly.

The person trotting towards you didn't know your horse was young or silly.

In future, take a portable mounting block with you to shows so you can get on safely, wherever you are.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The person trotting towards you didn't know your horse was young or silly.

The person should not trot towards an unknown person who is mounting a horse whether they know or believe that horse to be young or silly or not. The rider was not showing due consideration for others.

An attitude like that makes me so relieved to have retired from the competition scene.

 

[kathantoinette]

What a shame … hope you’re ok. I would draw a big fat line under the experience, take a deep breath and plan for your next outing. As another poster suggested, I would buy a mounting block/steps so that you can get on near your trailer/lorry every time you go out. This way every outing has repetition no matter where you are for the mounting.
I have a solid block from JSW, nice and high and it’s brilliant https://www.jsw4jumps.co.uk/shop/yard-stable/mounting-blocks/3-step-portable-mounting-block/
Good luck for your next outing

 

[Mouse19]

The person should not trot towards an unknown person who is mounting a horse whether they know or believe that horse to be young or silly or not. The rider was not showing due consideration for others.

An attitude like that makes me so relieved to have retired from the competition scene.

Agreed. It’s courtesy to give space when others are mounting.

I had a friend that used to run a show centre and they had a fixed mounting block on the carpark. A woman went to get on, witnesses said she dug her toe into her horses side and landed heavily. Said horse then bucked her off on the tarmac. She tried to sue and said the mounting block should have been on a surface in an enclosed area.
So you can’t win wherever you put things.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Agreed. It’s courtesy to give space when others are mounting.

I had a friend that used to run a show centre and they had a fixed mounting block on the carpark. A woman went to get on, witnesses said she dug her toe into her horses side and landed heavily. Said horse then bucked her off on the tarmac. She tried to sue and said the mounting block should have been on a surface in an enclosed area.
So you can’t win wherever you put things.

Omg this is why I really dislike some people how can you sue a venue for that unbelievable

 

[blitznbobs]

Tbh im not sure there is much etiquette anymore its an every rider for themselves - these days (my pc dc would be turning in her grave)

 

[onemoretime]

It can be the Wild West in warm ups .
I would not get on in the warm up arena however of I saw someone getting on I would assume their was an issue and get right out of the way .

I didn't think you were allowed into the warm up on foot?

 

[onemoretime]

I think she was riding through the test over and over using the whole arena so didn't want to change course. I definitely won't be getting on in the warm up again. It was a silly thing to do but it was the only mounting block I could find. I'll bring my own next time.

We keep what looks like a tool box but has a lid which open up and you can stand on, in the lorry. My rider mounts from this each time with me holding the horse in one hand and stirrup in the other hand just near our horse box.

 

[onemoretime]

Tbh im not sure there is much etiquette anymore its an every rider for themselves - these days (my pc dc would be turning in her grave)

In fairness I find when we go out with my mare who is frightened of the other horses getting too close that the pros are very good and as soon as they see she is worried, keep right out of the way. Probably unaffiliated where there are less experienced riders around may be a bit different though.