Getting out and about

Crazycob06

Crazycob06

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10 December 2012
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Hi, being a newbie horse owner and only ever having lessons at a riding school as a child, I know nothing about showing, competing or anything! I have a lovely blue and white 15hh welsh cob mare who is coming along great and my riding has improved no end since our new instructor came along!! I want to start taking her out and about now but I have no idea where to start as I don't know what's what! I'm going to do a little xc schooling with a friend at the end of the month but id like to give sj and dressage a go too!! Can anyone give me any tips on where to start For dummies please!!?? Haha!
 
Sounds like you are having great fun! Where are you based?

Why not think about joining your local riding club, great fun and they may do lots! See if someone has a spare place on a trailer/ lorry and see if you could buddy up.

Riding clubs often run events and will have your hand off for some help and sometimes you might get a schooling voucher ( like a free ride around when you want)

Go to some shows and watch ESP the professionals and see what they do!
 
Have a look at your local riding clubs, they will often do 'green days, clear round SJ and fun shows' These are all great for new horse owners or young, green horses and cover the main competition disciplines such as showing, showjumping, xc and dressage

Have fun!
 
Have a look at local riding clubs in your area - try this link to search for one:
http://www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/british-riding-clubs/find-a-club-or-centre

These are normally competition centres that are riding clubs also, and will offer a variety of different competitions, and opportunities for training too. That might be a good start for you - you can get out to a different venue away from home and do some training in whatever discipline you choose, to see how you get on and see if you enjoy it. You dont have to be a member of a riding club to go to training clinics or competitions, they just tend to offer discounts to members.

Ask at your yard for other local competition centres so you can start to have a look online at shows and competitions that you fancy having a go at. Pick a date and then tell your instructor what you will be doing so you can start training specifically for your first competition.

Most of all - dont be scared to have a try!

If you want to do XC, then find somewhere to go cross country schooling. If google isnt bringing up any XC schooling venues, then post again in this forum and with a title like 'cross country schooling venues xxxx (where you live)' and you should get some local people with ideas for you.

If you want to do dressage, then have a go at a Intro or Prelim competition at a local venue. Intro is just walk and trot, there are only 2 into tests. Prelim includes canter. All dressage tests can be bought online, so once you have chosen to enter a competition and have selected the test you are doing, you can buy that test online and watch videos of people on youtube doing that test (so helpful when learning!)

If you want to do SJ, then once you have had a few jumping lessons enter a competition and go for a height you feel comfortable with. Your instructor should be able to put up a couple of example height fences at home for you to see what you would be jumping so you can choose a height based on your ability and how brave you are feeling!

If you want to try showing, then look out for local shows to enter. They tend to be around bank holidays and may or may not have websites as some are small shows, so again if you are struggling to get any results online post on this forum (and in Competing and Training) to see if anyone knows of any good starter shows in your area. Choosing a class is a bit harder, and I'm not a showing buff so couldnt help you on that one - but again this forum is brilliant for that kind of thing, put up a post with some pictures of your horse and yourself and you will get suggestions of what classes you are eligible to enter.

Going for your first competition is daunting, I had only ever ridden at a riding school before I got my share horse so when we came to do our first dressage comp I was so nervous but it was lots of fun and when you start to get better it gets quite addictive! I'd never done anything more than a gymkhana before whereas now I'm doing Novice dressage with my lovely boy and getting scores of 65% so if I can do it anyone can!

Good luck!
 
Thank you all soooo much! Especially you kc100!!! It is daunting but I know my girl has it in her and it will do her and myself the world of good! We just need to get going! So is there no age limit for rc
 
Sorry on mobile!!

Is there no age limit for rc then? I thought there was so didn't look into it, will give that a go then first!!
 
As a little bit of old blokey advice - I'd say - have a good trawl ( I said trawl not troll! ) around these and other pages - especially threads that suggest vilification, ostracising and character assasination - then you may decide to carry on going out with your horse on your own!

Hahaha.. Enjoy!
 
Local ridign club is a good start.

A trip to a local unaffiliated prelim dressage is a good first outing, low-key, not too exhausting for either of you, not a long day.

If she hacks in company and alone, then you could enter a local small organised fun ride too.

What about, if you have your own transport, just arranging to box to a friend's yard and go for a hack withthem. Gets you used to going out, loading, travelling, without the stress of needing to dress up, be somewhere at a certain time or spend money on entry fees.

Enjoy and gradually build it up from there as you discover what you like doing and yours and hers confidence grows.
 
We don't have our own transport unfortunately but my friend does and she will take us with her where she goes! Not that we have been any where yet!
I have just foun out that my local riding club is in hacking distance from where my mare is so I'm going to give that a go! Now looking for a nice jacket! Hehe!
 
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