First dressage show for young horse

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Astra

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Hi

I'm taking my new young horse out to his first local dressage competition this weekend. He can be a bit bright at times so I'm going to give him some time on the lunge at home before we go so he can get any excess energy out of his system.

I'm wondering whether to put a green ribbon on him. I'm not worried about the test - more about the warm-up. I've asked for early times and warm-up is in a really big outdoor arena so I plan to try and keep my wits about me and circle away if it looks like someone is going to canter up behind me (most likely situation to cause an explosion!), but was wondering a green ribbon would be a good idea or not?

Does anyone know if wearing a green ribbon is allowed under dressage rules? Could I have it on in the warm-up and take it off before the test? Any thoughts appreciated.

Astra
 
im not sure if its definately alowed as ive never done it, but there is a woman who is a regualar at similar places to me (affliated) and she ties a red ribbon in her horses tail and noone has ever said anything to her about it.

imo lunging at home wont make any difference, if hes going to have energy when he gets there he will, regardless of whether hes been lunged at home before hand or not. i did this before my first lesson on my youngster (i travel to lessons) and it made not the blindest bit of difference, he was still as full of it as ever for my lesson.
 
yes you can wear ribbons.
You may find it more effective to wear a 'caution young horse' tabard to be honest though, as people are looking up and not down.
Good luck! you will be fine!
lou x
 
Thanks for this. I'll certainly take the ribbon with me then - I can always take it off if anyone has a problem with it. I appreciate your thoughts and experiences with the lunging, but I know I will feel more confident and therefore ride him more positively if he has had a chance to stretch his legs on the lunge first.
 
That's a good idea, but unfortuately I don't have one. I use a "please pass wide and slow tabbard" when I hack out. Thanks for the tip though.
 
Good idea but unfortunately not possible on this occasion. It states on the schedule that no lunging is allowed in the warm-up.
 
I always lunge at home b4 a comp and I find it definitely helps to take the edge off. IMHO people are never looking UP in a dressage warm up - they all have the test stuck to the pommel of the saddle; at least that's what it looks like!! The ribbon may help but getting there early and keeping your wits about you will also be an advantage (!) I find that if you watch competitors carefully they will all do much the same thing - when one person starts cantering, they all do - wait 5 minutes and it will be peaceful again. Also a fierce look will penetrate the most dense people if they don't show consideration - I have a lot of practise! Hope you have a good day.
 
Thanks Hornby. I've found exactly the same thing with riders not looking where they are going in the warm-up. I'm glad it's not just me. I'm going to go and perfect my fierce look in the mirror in preparation - LOL!
 
Sorry, but BD rule 54 states.........

''Any unusual decoration of the horse with unnatural things, such as ribbons or flowers, etc. in the mane/tail etc. is forbidden.''

Please don't think I'm a geek or have such a sad life that I know the rule book backwards, it's just that I have a pupil who has a horse that can be wild/nervous in a busy collecting ring.
To keep people away a bit she put a red ribbon in his tail. Great.......worked quite well ( there's always one idiot, isn't there?).
That is until at the Winter Semis last year, the poor girl was pulled over by the judge, after her test, and was quoted the rule and told that on this occassion she would let it go, but to read her rule book in future and never do it again!
shocked.gif

The judge, nor the rule book, said what the penalty might be, however we are assuming elimination as in 'forbidden tack.

Now, I think it's a ridiculous rule. The girl put the ribbon in not solely for her own benefit but also to prevent anyone else's horse being upset or hurt by her horse's antics which can be prevented if people ride sensibly.
However, she may be able to get a dispensation letter from BD.

As far as your situation goes, I would still use the ribbon. It's an unafilliated competition, although presumably run under BD rules.
Everyone we spoke to on this matter hadn't realised that red/green ribbons in the tail were forbidden and so I can't imagine anyone at your comp will do either, and if they do................plead ignorance!!!!
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Sorry for the ramble but just thought I ought to clarify things.
 
Hi

Thanks for that. I had a funny feeling I had heard there was a "no ribbons" rule which is why I asked. Probably the safest thing to do would be use it for the warm-up but take it out just before I go in like his brushing boots.

I hope you don't mind me asking but as you have a good knowledge of the rulebook, where do I stand on neck straps/breastplates? I'm fairly sure neck straps are a no no, but think a breastplate is OK - is that right?

Thanks for your help.
 
Breastplate fine, neckstrap OK for riding in but in a test Prelim only but Balance straps ARE allowed at all levels.

Personally I prefer a balance strap to a neckstrap anyway as it is more stable and you don't need to come off your seat to 'find' it!
 
Thanks so much. I'm just doing a couple of prelim test so it sounds like my normal neckstrap will be fine. Think I will put a balance strap on my Christmas list though.
 
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