Annagain
Well-Known Member
My share horse and I are part of my riding club team that has qualified for the BRC Winter Dressage Championships at the end of March. This is the first time we've done anything like this and I'm usually a 'wing and a prayer' sort of girl so I have no idea how to prepare properly for this! It's probably the only time I'll ever do this (he's 18 and is the only horse who'll put up with me and still do well!) so I want to do him and the occasion justice. I don't want to spend the next 11 weeks pounding through Prelim 7 (I'm already dreaming about it
) but I want to prepare properly.
What sort of programme should I put in place? I go to a fortnightly club lesson which is a bit of fun and exercise more than anything and hope to have a lesson in the 'off' weeks with my very good dressage trainer. I usually school independently once a week and hack or have a little jump at weekends.
I was planning to do at least 4 competitions locally before the big day (I normally do dressage about 4 times a year, just with my club). I had just starting trying novice but have decided to stick to prelim until after the champs as he's the sort of horse who switches off quite easily so don't want prelim to seem too easy to him! Should I be doing anything else? He does ok on this routine (always 65%+ and occasionally 70%+) but I want it to be the best we can possibly do!
And most important question. Should I clip him again before the champs and how soon before? He's grey and despite my best effort has a few ingrained stains on his flanks. He has a full clip - which is growing out - with legs left on and they're very hairy so do look a bit messy. In an ideal world I'd clip him but I'm worried it's the wrong time of year. Is March too late? He will also have bald patches on his legs at that point (he gets seasonal alopaecia) so I'm not sure if they're best hidden under teddy bear legs? (not completely hidden but less obvious). I do ok at getting him looking presentable, but any tips on getting him dazzling white?
Help please!
) but I want to prepare properly. What sort of programme should I put in place? I go to a fortnightly club lesson which is a bit of fun and exercise more than anything and hope to have a lesson in the 'off' weeks with my very good dressage trainer. I usually school independently once a week and hack or have a little jump at weekends.
I was planning to do at least 4 competitions locally before the big day (I normally do dressage about 4 times a year, just with my club). I had just starting trying novice but have decided to stick to prelim until after the champs as he's the sort of horse who switches off quite easily so don't want prelim to seem too easy to him! Should I be doing anything else? He does ok on this routine (always 65%+ and occasionally 70%+) but I want it to be the best we can possibly do!
And most important question. Should I clip him again before the champs and how soon before? He's grey and despite my best effort has a few ingrained stains on his flanks. He has a full clip - which is growing out - with legs left on and they're very hairy so do look a bit messy. In an ideal world I'd clip him but I'm worried it's the wrong time of year. Is March too late? He will also have bald patches on his legs at that point (he gets seasonal alopaecia) so I'm not sure if they're best hidden under teddy bear legs? (not completely hidden but less obvious). I do ok at getting him looking presentable, but any tips on getting him dazzling white?
Help please!