How do you know when to move up? *comps*

[NorfolkEnchants]

Hey,

if your competing, dressage, for instance, at what score would you be happy to move to the next level?

same for jumping etc

I lightly compete my 12 year warmblood because it just keeps him interested, normally i compete novice, but i have done one or two elementries, and i dont know whether i should be going back to novice, or carry on doing elementary test.

same with jumping, i've been doing 80/85 cm classes, because when were away hedoesnt concentrate during jumping, but im thinking maybe if i compete with higher heights he'd pay more attention?

thanks

 

[Kokopelli]

A rule of thumb is that you should be working at a higher level at home then you are competing, obviously this doesn't always apply.

For example atm I'm competing at 90cm on my horse but at home I would be confident jumping 1.05. As for dressage I compete at prelimanary level but he is working at novice and can do some elementary moves.

Its trial and error really, you may do a 1m jumping class and your horse could do brilliant but then again he could think hmm not happy jumping this high. If I was you for the jumping I'd hire and arena or do a clear round at the next height up and see how you go, if you do well I would definatly consider competing at this height.

I'm not as experienced with dressage and going up the grades but I think you'll know when your ready.

 

[NorfolkEnchants]

Thanks, at home we're jumping about the ame height as you 1.05 metres, but he gets really wound up and panicky, so i've only being doing the smallest classes, so he doesnt put much effort in, i think i might do that, hire an arena, and just see how it goes, i dont want to push him so that he wont enjoy jumping, but i just want him to jump in a competition the way he jumps at home (if that makes sense? )

thanks

 

[Kokopelli]

I know how you feel as I'm worried about pushing my youngster too far and have only got the guts to take him to the first BS on saturday. We hire arenas all the time though and when he's been popping 1.05 happily I feel better about doing a 90cm class. Your horse sounds capable of doing it and perhaps he would be less panicky if the jumps were bigger.

 

[NorfolkEnchants]

I know how you feel as I'm worried about pushing my youngster too far and have only got the guts to take him to the first BS on saturday. We hire arenas all the time though and when he's been popping 1.05 happily I feel better about doing a 90cm class. Your horse sounds capable of doing it and perhaps he would be less panicky if the jumps were bigger.

I know what you mean, i think i will definatley hire an arena and then try a bigger class, it might keep him more focused on the jumps rather than everything else

Good luck with your horse, he sounds more than capable of doing a 90cm class

thanks again x