First ever dressage test for me and my horse

[Maesto's Girl]

Hi all

So yesterday, my mare and I finally entered the world of dressage. It was a first for both of us. We came home with a 59.7% in Prelim 7. Just wondering how that compares to other people's firsts? All the others there were seasoned compeeters so not really much point using them as a benchmark. Just want to know if it's an Ok score

Thanks!

 

[rachk89]

It's a good score yeah well done. Did you have fun is the main thing?

 

[be positive]

The score is irrelevant really as the only benchmark is the other competitors on the day, it is whether you were pleased with how you rode, how the horse went and that you both enjoyed the experience that is important, take a look at the collective marks and comments and they will give pointers as to what can be done to improve for next time, that is a fair mark to start with and should mean you are on the right lines with your work.
Well done for your first outing and hope it is the first of many good days with your horse.

 

[Maesto's Girl]

Thanks.

Yes but so much went wrong! My boot broke as I got on so had to strap it up with boot laces then she wouldn't load so we had like 9 people getting her on the box. Can probably only get better from there!

 

[Maesto's Girl]

The score is irrelevant really as the only benchmark is the other competitors on the day, it is whether you were pleased with how you rode, how the horse went and that you both enjoyed the experience that is important, take a look at the collective marks and comments and they will give pointers as to what can be done to improve for next time, that is a fair mark to start with and should mean you are on the right lines with your work.
Well done for your first outing and hope it is the first of many good days with your horse.

Great advice thank you. I suppose what I meant was that it's a decent benchmark for me to work from....that I wasn't completely on the wrong track

 

[rachk89]

Thanks.

Yes but so much went wrong! My boot broke as I got on so had to strap it up with boot laces then she wouldn't load so we had like 9 people getting her on the box. Can probably only get better from there!

Haha things go wrong all the time for others too don't worry. We had issues getting my horse to load again after his first show but he eventually got bored and went in. Just practice before next time so that she understands travelling isn't a bad thing.

And yes it's a decent benchmark to work from. You'll have stuff to improve that you know about from your comments but other stuff that you succeeded in just needs to be kept consistent.

 

[Batgirl]

60% is satisfactory - you are a gnats pube hair off it. Great starting point. Look at your comments, they will give you a good indication of what you need to work on and develop Welcome to the dark arts!