First time at Addington coming up...

W

Wan2bEventer

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 November 2007
Messages
321
Location
Buckinghamshire
sacramenta-z.blogspot.com
this weekend and I am very very nervous! It is only my second ever Prelim test - which I am looking forward to not nervous about - but the whole 'being at Addintgon' issue is making me nervous!

I have only ever been a spectator/groom at Addington before, and the atmosphere is always impressive.

Can everyone else remember their first dressage at Addington? Hearing stories might help me relax and not feel so alone! At the moment I feel as though I am going to turn up and everybody else will be absolutely fabulous, with impecable horses scoring high 70's in every test! Eeek!
 
Hey! Yes sorry been manic at work - a new girl has started so everything is taking twice as long at the moment! Haven't had a minute to myself until today. Have arranged it with him and will drop my stuff over next week, he seems really nice! So glad your stuff looks good, that is always encouraging. Btw I still haven't seen my yard manager as I think he has been away shooting, but I'll let you know as soon as I hear from him.
H
xx
 
This will make you laugh..I combined my first ever affiliated dressage test with our first visit to Addington. Was quite a shock to the system, as its always tough marking there too. You will do much better than that!
 
I posted almost the same thing a few weeks ago, I took my 14hh welsh X to Addington & did 2 novice tests, we had a great time, the judging was excellent as were the surfaces, everyone was really friendly & I had a lovely time despite forgetting Novice 21 completely, even though I've done it loads of times before, went wrong 3 times & eliminated myself, what a disaster!! However, they let me finish the test, & I got a sheet to collect, complete bummer as they had given us good marks!! Go along & enjoy yourself, I can't wait to go back, this time will pack my brain!!
 
Went there last Thurs for my first time there and it was fine
smile.gif
 
My Mum was at Addington for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Did a prelim and a novice. She is completely deaf and so she can find it hard at a new place where no-one knows her especially if she is on her own. She can't for example hear the start bell so has to ask someone to tell her when it goes or get the judge to wave. She said she was nervous there and she didn't want to approach the judge to tell her about the waving, but everyone was very nice and someone did tell her when the bell went. She says she will be going back again.

If anyone does spot her, by the way, - she is 70 (yes, 70 and still competing and having lessons), tall and skinny and rides a 15.2 bay mare in prelims and novices in the Bucks area. Please do help her if you see her. She once got muddled and in entirely the wrong ring as she couldn't hear the tannoy(!) and she often has to go alone if my Dad can't go with her.
 
Addington is my favourite venue- great surfaces and layout. If you are nervous just get there a little earlier so you can soak up the atmosphere.

At my debut at Addington I was thinking about the prestige of the venue and forgot that I should be doing sitting trot in an elementary test ( a few seasons ago! )

My advice is to focus on learning your test and prepare for the competition in the same way as usual. Annie will love it!

Alison
 
Yes, I can remember! It was some years ago now. Went to do a kind of unaffiliated arena eventing thing where they had dressage outside, show jumping in the indoor school, and a working hunter type course in the top outside arena (the one they use for dressage warm up on dressage only days)

Did a rubbish dressage, clear show jumping, and got eliminated in the working hunter thingy, so all a bit disastrous. I was terrified!

Since then, I've moved on a bit, and I go there sometimes to do BD, and it's not that scary anymore. The people are no more posh than anywhere else, and I don't think the judging is any different.

I am planning on going to do some BSJA there next week, so that will be a new experience for me, hope it's not too scary!

Good luck, you'll be fine, it's not that posh!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top