Organising Dressage Events

[luckilotti]

Hi,
its been suggested to me this evening that i should consider holding a couple of dressage days at my livery yard.
I havent a clue about organising dressage events/test so would welcome any advice!
Thanks

 

[Goya]

Presumably it is unaffiliated?
1. decide on your classes and any restrictions on riders and horses.
2. On the schedule have your rules. (Look at any other schedules and they will show a format to follow.)
3. Entry closing date.
4. when and how times will be available.
5. First aid available (a Must)
6.where and when the comp is.
7.book judges well in advance.
8.helpers will be needed. e.g. writer for each judge. A steward to keep things moving to time. A scorer to add the sheets and work out percentages.
8. Secretary for the day and somewhere for them and for the scorers to work in peace.
9. you may need competitors numbers. Not everyone has bridle numbers.
10.Rosettes/prizes.
11. Do a written risk assessments and have it on file at the show.
12. A "scoreboard" so competitors can see how they are doing.
13. Do you have a school or will you need dressage boards. make sure it is a flat area and have room for warm up and parking.
14. advertise in local press, paper,tack shops, livery yards etc.
15. I always phone/ email the judges the week or so before the event to tell them their times for their classes.
16. refreshments for the judges. They will come again if you look after them.
17. You will have to pay judges expenses. (usually 40p per mile)
18. First aiders will probably want payment too.
19. It is nice to have refreshments for the helpers as well. They too will come again if they are looked after and made welcome
20. Riders like to have a burger van or whatever.

There is probably something I have left out but this should give you some idea.
Above all, enjoy yourself.

 

[Goya]

I knew I would forget something--Look into insurance. If there is (God forbid) an accident you must be sure to be covered.
Also--Dressage marking sheets will be needed.

 

[CastleMouse]

Rosettes and prizes

 

[luckilotti]

Thanks.

i organised a big show back a few years ago and managed to get thousands of pounds worth of prizes, but it was all showing classes as i havent a clue re dressage!

i guess i should try and find some other events to go and have a really good nosey at. The last dressage thing i went to (one of the only ones i should add! only went to give some moral support to one of my liveries), didnt have any first aiders there, or if so, they were not obvious? (at my show a few years ago, we had st.johns there, ambulance and all!)

 

[Britestar]

Are you a member of a Riding Club? They will be able to give you all sorts of info on it.

Don't forget dressage arenas if its outside.

 

[lisan]

OOohh, do one of the walk and trot test for me please, lol

I've done a couple at daisy meadow, took a lot of organising but went very well (ask MissHuggyBear, she came and helped too!) Give me a shout if you need any help organising and help on the day.

I booked a dressage judge
Friends came and did food
Photographer - went down a storm!
Dressage Writer
Poor Racheal to run around and organise sort everyone out
Someone to add up the scores as you go along and update the score sheet
Rosettes
Test Score Sheets

 

[luckilotti]

what did you do re insurance lisa? also how did you find it went? was it well supported or were most of the entries from the yard? (dont recall seeing it advertised anywhere?) pm if you prefer.

 

[lisan]

They were mainly entries from the yard, kept us very very busy, put an ad up at happy horses and that was it. YO had insurance. As you know it is a huge yard so not difficult to get quite a few entries from there, the busiest class was the walk and trot one, also did a lead one class too, the kids loved it!

also gave a rosette for the best turned out too.
How cute!

 

[_jetset_]

I think everyone has covered pretty much everything already to be honest

Definitely a walk and trot test as there are not many about so think you would get quite a lot of entries and possibly two judges if it is going to be a long day