Eventing to Dressage

[MystieMoo]

Hi All

My daughter has competed in a mix of BE, UA, and Pony Club ODEs the last couple of years. Both she and her mare have really enjoyed it, their last result being a 2nd which they are very proud of.

However, since then (May 2022), the ground has become increasingly hard and my daughter worries about potential injuries to her mare. She probably worries a little more than she might as her mare is an ID x Cob, 16.2hh+, so on the heavier side. I completely back her in this.

So, they've decided to have a go at low level dressage for the time being. They have competed in Intros and Prelims in the past, about half a dozen or so, and have won and been placed in busy classes.

My daughter (17, 18 in Nov), is keen to join BD.

Would it be better for her to do some more UAs again first, or can we join BD straight away? The last thing I want is for her to join BD and be outclassed immediately and lose heart. I know how subjective dressage can be at the best of times! On the other hand, I'd love for her to join something inclusive and supportive. I've always found BE very like this, but have no experience of BD.

She does have an instructor who is an ex-eventer turned showjumper, but he has brought them on amazingly on the flat, better than a previous dressage instructor - I think they just 'click'.

Also, our mare is obviously not a blood horse - how much will that go against her? I know Cob sorts are doing better these days in all spheres, but will this be a major problem? Pic attached so you can see her build.

Thank you

 

[Flowerofthefen]

You can join BD straight away if you wish. If she has already done some unaffiliated stuff she knows what pure dressage is like. How about joining ' my quest' which is a sort if inbetween unaff and aff. It has its own points system as BD does so you can qualify for championships and is usually held on the same day as BD. Breed and size don't matter. It is the correctness in the way the horse goes the judge should be judging. Lovely to hear your daughter is concerned for her horses welfare x

 

[oldie48]

I think My Quest is a really good idea, I think the marking is a little more generous than BD but others may disagree. If she did BD she'd be able to compete at Bronze level and would be competing against riders like herself, not everyone competes a flashy WBs either and those that do don't always win the class. I hope she enjoys it.

 

[MystieMoo]

You can join BD straight away if you wish. If she has already done some unaffiliated stuff she knows what pure dressage is like. How about joining ' my quest' which is a sort if inbetween unaff and aff. It has its own points system as BD does so you can qualify for championships and is usually held on the same day as BD. Breed and size don't matter. It is the correctness in the way the horse goes the judge should be judging. Lovely to hear your daughter is concerned for her horses welfare x

I'd not heard of 'My Quest', so I will look into that as it seems like a good place to start. Thank you.

And yes, she loves her mare and her welfare comes before everything else, thank goodness

 

[MystieMoo]

I think My Quest is a really good idea, I think the marking is a little more generous than BD but others may disagree. If she did BD she'd be able to compete at Bronze level and would be competing against riders like herself, not everyone competes a flashy WBs either and those that do don't always win the class. I hope she enjoys it.

Thank you. We will definitely look into 'My Quest'.

She's not been all that into the dressage before, but has developed an interest since this hard ground. I think she'd like to aim towards Novice eventually - that is her goal. I am sure she will enjoy it. Personally, I'm just glad she is looking to keep all 4 hooves on the ground!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Thank you. We will definitely look into 'My Quest'.

She's not been all that into the dressage before, but has developed an interest since this hard ground. I think she'd like to aim towards Novice eventually - that is her goal. I am sure she will enjoy it. Personally, I'm just glad she is looking to keep all 4 hooves on the ground!

Novice is a very achievable goal. I think My quest is slightly more lenient scoring wise than BD but that's the idea, it's meant to encourage people and your judged by listed judges. Wishing your daughter the best of luck in her new venture!!

 

[LEC]

I have been doing My Quest this year and actually I have really quite enjoyed it. Lots of progression and a good period to qualify. I would also look at doing combined training comp with BD which can also be done on the My Quest membership.

The qualifying period ends on 31st Aug so probably too late for this year but kicks off again in Jan.

 

[MystieMoo]

I have been doing My Quest this year and actually I have really quite enjoyed it. Lots of progression and a good period to qualify. I would also look at doing combined training comp with BD which can also be done on the My Quest membership.

The qualifying period ends on 31st Aug so probably too late for this year but kicks off again in Jan.

Thank you, I'll look at the Combined Training, too. There are far more opportunities than I realised! Will definitely look to the qualifying period from January.

I'm looking forward to it all.

 

[Red-1]

It is a few years since I did BD, but you could simply enter a prelim at that time without affiliating. It may have changed (I am somewhat out of touch), but if not, than at least you are at the show and under the judge, so not then such a big step to register and go Novice.

Beautiful horse.

 

[MystieMoo]

Like 'on a ticket' at BS? That is worth looking into, too.

I'm hoping most, if not all, competitors are friendly. It makes such a difference. We found BE really supportive.

Thank you re horse - I had to drag my daughter to view her because she wasn't the sort of horse she wanted at all - long story. 3 years later she's her heart horse ?

 

[LEC]

Thank you, I'll look at the Combined Training, too. There are far more opportunities than I realised! Will definitely look to the qualifying period from January.

I'm looking forward to it all.

I have also been doing Team Quest. I am so not this kind of person either but love the team element as well. There are U21 teams and u21 my quest so against their peers. The qualifying period is Jan - Aug and regionals in October. I like that it’s based on your 5 best scores so I have been looking at leaderboard a lot!

Combined Training qualifiers are usually Dec/Jan/Feb with finals in March. First two qualify in each class. I have been to champs and enjoyed it.

Riding club has loads of good stuff going on as well. Arena eventing, dressage and showjumping.

 

[MystieMoo]

I have also been doing Team Quest. I am so not this kind of person either but love the team element as well. There are U21 teams and u21 my quest so against their peers. The qualifying period is Jan - Aug and regionals in October. I like that it’s based on your 5 best scores so I have been looking at leaderboard a lot!

Combined Training qualifiers are usually Dec/Jan/Feb with finals in March. First two qualify in each class. I have been to champs and enjoyed it.

Riding club has loads of good stuff going on as well. Arena eventing, dressage and showjumping.

Sounds like you've done well!

I didn't realise there was so much for her to do. I think she will really enjoy it. And it's not restricted to certain months like the eventing by the sound of it, which is great.

Glad I put this thread up!

 

[RachelFerd]

Just join BD and crack on - not much point in messing around with unaffiliated stuff. And i'm not really sure of the point of MyQuest unless you've got a team to join to enjoy the Team Quest aspect of it. Just join normal BD, go and get your sheets for the area festivals - you've got until end of December to get them for the Winter area festivals or regionals. For area festivals you just need to get three sheets over 60% at your level - so a nice easy to aim for goal. You'll be competing in Bronze sections so will only be up against riders who also don't have an extensive affiliated record. You'll see lots of cobs, natives, thoroughbreds and everything in between at the lower levels.

And Novice is just a prelim test with a couple of lengthened trots/canters and maybe the beginning of counter canter. A more than achievable goal in the very short term goal if they've already been out eventing.

 

[TheHairyOne]

Quest is a lot cheaper to register for (£35 ish I think for horse and rider) which also allows you to do proper BD prelims without needing to buy a ticket. If you decide to upgrade your membership if you want to do area's (the route to pet plan finals) you can use your normal BD prelim sheets and just upgrade your membership (they do adjustments for the fact you've got club membership for quest).

Novice and above full BD you need a ticket or full membership to enter a regular BD class.

 

[LEC]

Quest is a lot cheaper! It’s why I joined as could join 2 horses pretty cheap plus I didn’t need to ride above novice. Loads of my venues have it and it works out better around work as evenings and weekends. I also quite like the 5 best scores thing and then top 20 qualify for regionals. My regionals are 40 mins away as well.

 

[MystieMoo]

Just join BD and crack on - not much point in messing around with unaffiliated stuff. And i'm not really sure of the point of MyQuest unless you've got a team to join to enjoy the Team Quest aspect of it. Just join normal BD, go and get your sheets for the area festivals - you've got until end of December to get them for the Winter area festivals or regionals. For area festivals you just need to get three sheets over 60% at your level - so a nice easy to aim for goal. You'll be competing in Bronze sections so will only be up against riders who also don't have an extensive affiliated record. You'll see lots of cobs, natives, thoroughbreds and everything in between at the lower levels.

And Novice is just a prelim test with a couple of lengthened trots/canters and maybe the beginning of counter canter. A more than achievable goal in the very short term goal if they've already been out eventing.

We have just joined! Thank you for your advice, we shall indeed crack on. She's excited to get going now, so I'm looking forward to it.

 

[MystieMoo]

Quest is a lot cheaper to register for (£35 ish I think for horse and rider) which also allows you to do proper BD prelims without needing to buy a ticket. If you decide to upgrade your membership if you want to do area's (the route to pet plan finals) you can use your normal BD prelim sheets and just upgrade your membership (they do adjustments for the fact you've got club membership for quest).

Novice and above full BD you need a ticket or full membership to enter a regular BD class.

Thank you for your help - we've been studying the BD website tonight and have joined ? It does help to hear what other people have done.

 

[MystieMoo]

Quest is a lot cheaper! It’s why I joined as could join 2 horses pretty cheap plus I didn’t need to ride above novice. Loads of my venues have it and it works out better around work as evenings and weekends. I also quite like the 5 best scores thing and then top 20 qualify for regionals. My regionals are 40 mins away as well.

The best 5 scores thing sounds good. Evenings and weekends are much better for us, too. Thank you for your help, we are really looking forward to it ?

 

[Julia0803]

I haven’t looked at it for a few years BUT… if she’s in the U21 category have a lot at the current leader boards and the total points.

In 2018 my son decided to have a go… at the end of June. We only managed 3 or maybe 4 outings at prelim. BUT because the youth section wasn’t so popular (and Tbf he scored well) he was able to make it to 2nd on the leaderboard and qualified for the regionals.

I’m guessing it would probably be pushing it… but if you’ve already joined it might be worth looking at the score board. I think it’s top 15 go to regionals? (Double check! It was 4 years ago when we did it).

If the U21 section in your region isn’t well attended and you manage 2/3 outings in the next 2.5weeks you might even make it into the cut to do regionals which I think take place end of September/early October.

 

[Julia0803]

That’s all for MyQuest by the way!

 

[Leandy]

Agree, have a look at Quest first (either MyQuest - on her own, or teamquest - where you get together with some friends as compete as a team). It is cheaper to start with until she works out how keen she is, it is also a bit lower key than BD and designed to be welcoming and accessible but you will still have qualified BD judges. Then once she is happy with how she is doing at Quest, she can step up to BD afterwards. I think you can do some BD prelim classes using the quest membership also.