Dressage - when to start competing the young horse?

[mystiandsunny]

At what stage in a young horse's training would you start competing? I'm aware that usually you compete a level lower than you're schooling at home - yet for those first few 'get used to the atmosphere' shows, would you wait until you're schooling at Novice, or go to a couple of shows a month or so beforehand just to get the first spooky, looky shows out of the way?

 

[FrodoBeutlin]

I would start with young horse classes (but without worrying about the scores). This is what we did when Frodo was 4. The tests are designed for youngsters and take the age of the horse into account, a perfect introduction to competing!

 

[measles]

Our new 4yo boy is going to to a couple of tests the weekend after next at Prelim level just to get out and about. He finds an outline easy and stays rhythmic naturally so he will need minimum warmup and won't be over worked physically.

 

[mystiandsunny]

I would start with young horse classes (but without worrying about the scores). This is what we did when Frodo was 4. The tests are designed for youngsters and take the age of the horse into account, a perfect introduction to competing!

That would be a great idea but she was started v late (in summer of her 5th year) so is 6 now and ready to compete this year for the first time.

 

[FrodoBeutlin]

Perhaps you could still do some easy young horse classes (even the 4yo ones!) hors concours? I think those are always preferable to the traditional tests because of the way they are marked.

 

[Sarah_Jane]

I have a 6 year old that is going to her first simple prelim dressage next week. She sounds about the same stage as yours. She is walk, trotting and cantering at home but no way is working at Novice level. I don't expect to do well although she is going nicely enough the main aim is to get her out in a low key competition environment and let her see the sights. Hopefully then when she is ready to win she won't be gawping at everything!