how do competitions work and when can a novice start entering?

katiesheeran

katiesheeran

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Hi all,

I am a novice rider who has been riding for a little over a year. I have 0 knowledge on how competitions and eventing work so I was wondering if someone could break them down to me. I am in no way ready to start entering stuff but I have shown a keen interest in dressage lately and would love to do local stuff in the near future. Can someone please tell me what the levels are and what kind of stuff a novice can enter? Also any key terms/knowledge would be helpful :)

Thanks!
 
Look for an unaffiliated local show and you can start with an Intro test which is just walk and trot. You usually enter a few days before and you will get a time for your test. You will see the test number when you put your entry in and can find it online to learn, though you can take someone to read it to you. After Intro tests there are Preliminary ones which include canter. If you go to watch next time there is a local competition you will see what goes on.
 
Gloi said:
Look for an unaffiliated local show and you can start with an Intro test which is just walk and trot. You usually enter a few days before and you will get a time for your test. You will see the test number when you put your entry in and can find it online to learn, though you can take someone to read it to you. After Intro tests there are Preliminary ones which include canter. If you go to watch next time there is a local competition you will see what goes on.
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this is so helpful thank you so much! Do you also have any information on the clothing people wear to shows? I've noticed that people are usually in white jodphurs and show jackets? Is there a rule for this?
 
katiesheeran said:
this is so helpful thank you so much! Do you also have any information on the clothing people wear to shows? I've noticed that people are usually in white jodphurs and show jackets? Is there a rule for this?
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Pale jodhpurs, normally cream but white ok, boots , a dark jacket and you need to wear gloves. They don't judge you on how posh your clothing is though you do see people blinged up, basic jods and jacket are okay.
 
katiesheeran said:
this is so helpful thank you so much! Do you also have any information on the clothing people wear to shows? I've noticed that people are usually in white jodphurs and show jackets? Is there a rule for this?
Click to expand...

Depends on what rules the competition is being run under - BD, RC, PC etc. All rule books are downloadable off the relevent websites.

In a nutshell though for most comps, it's smart jacket (dark colours, tweed is traditionally for showing and eventing), cream/white breeches, smart boots etc. Doesn't matter about quality or level of bling, it's about looking smart.

If you can op, why not go watch a local competition? Lower levels are Intro (w&t only), and Prelim (w,t,c). Tests you can buy from the BD website too. If unaffiliated they well use RC or PC tests too.
 
Echo the others that the best way to understand how it all works is to go to competitions and watch, even have a chat with other people watching and ask questions! That said, most competitions in the UK are still not open to spectators for Covid reasons so you should probably check with the secretary of the competition first whether it is ok to go and watch at the moment. If it is dressage you are interested in, the British Dressage rulebook is a mine of information, including on what to wear and what tack the horse is allowed etc. If you google it you will find it, it is publicly available on their website. Most local competitions will say they use BD rules so it is a good guide for what is acceptable.
 
If you have an arena with letters you can also do dressage tests online. I’ve not tried them but others on here have and the reviews I seem to remember are positive.
 
Echo what others have said in regards to watching a few local shows depending on if they are allowing spectators. Most places welcome volunteers to help out on day which will help you get a feel for how they work and offering to write for a dressage judge will give you experience of what the judges look for when marking a test.
 
Find your local Riding Club and join. Tell them you are new to the sport and could you help the club and maybe learn at the same time. I would be most surprised if they do not take you under their wing and head you in the right direction.
 
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