Lesson first, or competition?

[MizElz]

Elz and I have not competed (dressage) since September, due to the fact that both myself and my mum (also doing a degree) were busy with coursework etc. We also havent had any lessons since then; Ellie has been pretty much laid off for the winter, and I started bringing her back into proper work last week. We're aiming to go out to our first competition in two weeks time, but I'm not sure whether to:

a) go without having a lesson first, to get a feel of where we are and what we need to work on

or

b) have a lesson first in the hope of some frantic last minute improvement!

Any ideas?

 

[chriscrogul]

In my present situation I would have a lesson 1st because my instructor is very patient and works with what he sees, not how I was riding when fitter or whatever. He also understands how I feel about "damage limitation" when riding a dressage test ie if my horse has had time off he finds riding a loop in canter hard, and on returning to the track would probably start a series of flying changes, so in a test I would rather lose marks for an early downwards transition than look like I'm on a pogo! However, with my old instructor I wouldn't because he would have been pulling my riding to pieces instead of working on the way we are going at present, if that makes sense!

 

[Gorgeous George]

I would definately have a lesson first!