Online Dressage

[sherry90]

Ok so with lockdown here, I’m now out of my one woman pity party and determined to make as much of the lockdown as I can. Now I’ve never done any online dressage before but do follow a few of the companies on Facebook so understand roughly how it works etc but does anyone have any recommendations for the best ones to enter with?
We have a long arena (outdoor and freezes in this weather) or an indoor (I know we are very lucky!) which is roughly 30x50 so we’d somehow have to mark this out - does this need to be bang on accurate or can we mark out with poles? We can’t move the markers/letters as they are screwed to the walls/boards - does this matter? Do I try and source some temp cones/markers?

I’m not very competitive but determined to make it work to give a bit of hope/a goal to work towards so any tips much appreciated!

 

[milliepops]

you can mark it out with cones. try and do it as best you can because it makes the tests easier to ride accurately. If the markers are in the wrong place then I would just make some new ones on A4 sheets of paper and tack them up while you are filming. Have fun

 

[Britestar]

Mark out with cones or poles. Try and have letters in right place - although I often ride upside-down in the arena and don't change the letters.
Get the arena the correct size, or your circles will look odd.
I use Dressage4all, have done for many years.
Their championship rossies this year were enormous!

 

[TotalMadgeness]

You can buy cheap cones (usually used in sports halls) and mark the letters on with a thick black marker (or attached a piece of laminated paper). You can then lay out the arena with poles or old guttering. As long as the arena is an accurate as you can get, and the judge can see the letters clearly, you should be fine.

 

[HollyWoozle]

I haven't done it myself but I have four friends (don't know each other) and they all use E-Riders and really enjoy it. They have pretty basic facilities in some cases and it always works out fine. Good luck!

 

[B.F.G]

You could use poles to mark the corners (make an L) and one at B and one at E. Make the arena as close to 20x40 as it will help with circles and makes the test run more smoothly.
I've used dressage online. They do BD tests and also their own or dressage Ireland tests.

 

[webble]

I'm interested in trying this but not sure on the size of our school, I think approx 18 x35 ish would this matter?

 

[Andrew657]

I'm interested in trying this but not sure on the size of our school, I think approx 18 x35 ish would this matter?

I have a similar issue - and although haven't done the test yet (will do SS) know e-riders have anytack classes that allow you to have an arena thats not standard (also get the impression that Mane Show- Everyday Dressage would be relaxed about it)

 

[Sprat]

I've been doing e-riders since the first lockdown started and I've been really impressed. They use BD judges and the rosette's / prizes are really good

 

[welshpony216]

mark with poles and cones with letters on them (I know everyone said that) I loved being able to get professional feedback with out having to trailer somewhere (pony has a phobia of trailers).

 

[Britestar]

I'm interested in trying this but not sure on the size of our school, I think approx 18 x35 ish would this matter?

As long as you have the letters relative to the size of the arena I think that's ok.

 

[webble]

Oh fab thanks, we do

 

[GingerTrotter]

I use Dressage4All

I used poles for corners and down the sides and old car tyres as the markers. As long as your video person is at C and you enter at A you dont really need to paint your letters on (or i dont anyway!)

Happy onlining! I love it - it gives us focus on improving with the faff of actual shows

 

[mini_b]

Ok so. How do you film this if you don’t have any help? (Or a fancy pivo etc) because that means you can’t zoom in at A end.
If anyone has any tips for filming solo please let me know.