First dressage in a decade is not going to plan!

[Courbette]

I've entered my first dressage in over a decade this weekend and I was extremely excited about it. I've always wanted to compete in dressage however after my first outing (I think in 2008/09 ?!?) my old loan horses owner didn't enjoy watching us compete and as transport was always a struggle we ended up going showing occasionally instead which was disappointing. I moved to a new area and my new yard has events in hacking distance! My next loan horse was a stallion and naively I didn't realise this would be a issue but the local riding clubs wouldn't allow him to enter although ironically both my old riding clubs had both allowed stallions. I'm now a few months into a new share, no testicles to complicate matters, a great instructor and everything was going really well. I've entered two tests and was really looking forward to it and then I had a nasty fall off him this week when he bucked in the school and I think I have torn some muscle in my arm. I've had a short ride on him since my fall but I'm now a bit apprehensive about doing the tests on him. I'm not sure if I'm daft continuing when I'm feeling a bit delicate but my first test is an intro so well within both our experience levels. Horses!

 

[McFluff]

So sorry to hear about your fall. If you can still ride, I would go, as long as you feel you are able to enjoy it. You could always go with mini-goals - get there safely, tack up calmly, warm up nicely - and if you've ticked all these, then actually compete. Give yourself permission to withdraw at any stage, counting what you have achieved as a win and something to build on next time.
Good luck whatever you do. And remember, if you were in Scotland you still wouldn't be able to compete - so enjoy while you can!!!

 

[Courbette]

So sorry to hear about your fall. If you can still ride, I would go, as long as you feel you are able to enjoy it. You could always go with mini-goals - get there safely, tack up calmly, warm up nicely - and if you've ticked all these, then actually compete. Give yourself permission to withdraw at any stage, counting what you have achieved as a win and something to build on next time.
Good luck whatever you do. And remember, if you were in Scotland you still wouldn't be able to compete - so enjoy while you can!!!

Great advise and that is 100% my plan. Initially I was aiming for a good score as I know he is capable but now I think a successful first outing for us as a pair and a fun day will be more than enough.