Making the step up

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Trottingalong

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I'm hiding under a different name, and I hope people don't mind, but I'd really like some help (or just a firm boot up to behind!)

I've been competing in dressage with my lad for over a year, and for Christmas I was bought a BD membership, however on speaking to BD they have advised I can compete at Prelim in the non qualifier classes without a ticket or membership, so I have decided to give it a go prior to spending the money. In unaff we are competing at Novice, we have previously won a Prelim Championship and won and been placed several times at nearby large venue.

So another nearby venue has just started BD at weekends, so thought it would be perfect. Put my entry in, learnt the test, and now just days before I've seriously asked myself what am I doing?! I have no facilities at home, so only school out hacking, at shows and on my lessons. The people I'm likely to be up against ride / school probably five days a week -during winter I'm lucky to manage to ride at weekend at all apart from lessons. probably didn't help watching a professional rider riding the same test on her young horse.

I always tell people to take dressage as a competition against yourself and no-one else. So don't know why I cannot listen to my own advise.

My instructor thinks I'm ready, and that I need the new challenge.

Please tell me these nerves are usual.

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I remember being TERRIFIED before my first BD! Only advice I can give you is relax, think of it as being just another dressage comp, and try to enjoy yourself. I've always found everyone is very supportive.

Enjoy and good luck!
 
^ as above, I have just done my first BD comp last weekend and you know what it was no different from unaffiliated!
You get on, warm-up and do your test same as always, also everyone was really lovely (especially when we were having some special moments), nerves are natural but take a big breath and go for it!

*and report back ;)

x x x
 
You'll be fine! Like others have said just think about you and your horse, ignore everyone else and remember to smile and enjoy it :-) I affiliated last year and I've never looked back, it's brill! Everyone is very supportive and friendly and most amateurs at prelim certainly won't be schooling 5 days a week. Good luck :-)
 
Trottingalong said:
The people I'm likely to be up against ride / school probably five days a week -during winter I'm lucky to manage to ride at weekend at all apart from lessons. probably didn't help watching a professional rider riding the same test on her young horse.
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If you think for one minute all your fellow competitiors will be riding in perfect balance with stunningly schooled hores then you are one for one hell of a shock.

Last dressage comp I rode was when asked by my better half to take her youngster in to his first comp. She was expecting so high jinks so I was crash test dummy. BD prelim tests in open section we placed third in first test and won the second. Just to put this in to perspective I am a showjumper, not a dressage rider and horse was a Heinz57 cow pony.

Just go have some fun.
 
I was petrified for my first BD. Thinking that I'd be looked down on by experience BD folk. No-one bat an eyelid. Just got on with what they were doing, I got on with what I was doing. Same as unaff :)

You get the odd snob - but you just ignore them :)
 
Absolutely no different to doing unaffiliated. Half the time you will be competing at the same venues, with the same judges against the same horses and riders.

Just a better framework to progress and opportunities to qualify for various champs.
 
Although I BD'd many many years ago, I just started again last year. My first BD show (despite having been to an unaff show only a few weeks before at the same venue!!) - I was absolutely terrified. I entered 2 tests, rode both of them dreadfully and probably got the worst scores that I have done in years! However - this was purely nerves, and our next BD I stopped worrying about everyone else, and got on with what I know best - my horse!

A lot of the time, unaff comps will use listed judges, so some lower listed judges may judge a little more leniently at unaff than BD (to encourage), you should find your scores will remain in the same region.

I to am one that at this time of year only rides at weekends, and until the evenings draw out I won't get any more riding done. When I do, it is only hacking that I do - the only schooling I do is warm up at shows and lessons! It can be done, trust me!!

Give it a go - I am sure that you will pleasantly surprise yourself :)
 
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