Playing the BD Regionals/Champs Game?

[LEC]

I am new to this BD dressage game but it seems to me there is a lot of game playing going on with points and levels with going to regionals/festivals?

You don't really see the same in eventing apart from a decision not to go Novice if you have a horse likely to do well at Badminton Grassroots.

Is there a real knack to it? What are people trying to achieve?

I have a horse qualified for bronze prelim as I feel all this out and try to understand it! I am only a club member so hence wanting to understand all this game playing more as will need to upgrade my membership before winter festivals and will only do a 6 month membership so want as much traction as possible for my 6 months!

 

[DabDab]

I've recently done a bit of BD again and found it quite different from 4-5 years ago and significantly different from my memories of 10+ years ago. Combinations doing novice are the sort of level that would have been doing elementary and medium a while back, and scores for really very proficient tests seem to be lower than they used to be. I assume that is because people are carefully timing their moves between levels to target area festivals etc.

 

[milliepops]

if you only actually want to do regionals/areas though and aren't going to be awfully disappointed if you don't get to the nationals, any perceived gaming doesn't really matter, i have been able to qualify for everything I wanted to do incl regionals and areas up to I1 even with my puny horsepower.

Prelim Bronze is the one section that you only ever get one go at though, more or less in a lifetime, that is like the old "restricted" section, so you may as well go while you can.

 

[LEC]

Prelim Bronze is the one section that you only ever get one go at though, more or less in a lifetime, that is like the old "restricted" section, so you may as well go while you can.

I am giving myself 6 months just to have a go and see what is possible in my hunt for a sash. I might have a crack at the CT again as well. Though the scores for the N/1m were a lot better than the scores for my N/90 so would need to improve a fair bit looking at it.

 

[milliepops]

are you eligible for any of the associated champs? i won 2 sashes there

 

[palo1]

Interested in this thread! I have no money now, having had to fork out for several v expensive vets bills but I was hoping to qualify for (if not compete at) the Native Championships - at any level I could get to lol. If there is a chance I could still play that game, strategically then I would be really interested to know as I now can't really afford to luxuriate in a number of approaches. I am only semi-serious but I had thought it would be really fun to have qualification for the Native Champs at Novice as a goal for myself. I haven't got an arena nor a training budget now so in the next year prelim is likely to be the easiest shot at it I guess?

 

[DabDab]

In terms of just qualifying to compete (not sure specifically about native champs), it is just a game of cumulative points. So as long as you are willing to do several comps to collect the requisite points then you don't have to be going out and scoring big percentages.

Depends how many times you want to go out competing in order to qualify and how competitive you want to be at the championship

 

[palo1]

In terms of just qualifying to compete (not sure specifically about native champs), it is just a game of cumulative points. So as long as you are willing to do several comps to collect the requisite points then you don't have to be going out and scoring big percentages.

Depends how many times you want to go out competing in order to qualify and how competitive you want to be at the championship

Well, qualification would be one tick off the list, qualification at Novice would be a tick and gold star, qualification and competing at the Championships at Novice and I would probably just keel over with pride and excitement lol!! For me it would have to be about making sure that any funds at all hit the spot. Perhaps as this year is going to be tricky I could still aspire to something... I thought that boat had already sailed but this thread is providing new encouragement.

 

[humblepie]

I didn't play the game as getting points was fun and we put ourselves out of some stuff that would have been good to do as I didn't realise! We can do the associate championships and have been placed at those (he second in one in a huge class by a fraction of a percentage - not with me but with someone else) so we do still have options. Regional we wouldn't be competitive because of the section and my poor riding! Didn't do the associate championships this year as too busy showing to do any BD.

 

[LEC]

are you eligible for any of the associated champs? i won 2 sashes there

No as a normal sport horse who is young.

I do keep looking at the forces equine one as I am a civil servant but I find it about as clear as mud to wade through. We are running qualifiers in SW as well according to police friends but I cannot work out if direct services or government.

If I can only target bronze prelim once, then I guess my next best targets for summer Q will be prelim silver (regionals) and novice bronze (petplans)?

I find dressage quite uninspiring for £40 (2 tests) so I try and keep my outings to a minimum and pick up the points I need in one go to save cash.

 

[milliepops]

Yeah that would be the obvious next step
Unless you fancy some musics

 

[shortstuff99]

If she has any ID in her then can do part bred draft associated champs

 

[LEC]

If she has any ID in her then can do part bred draft associated champs

Unless you go back to 5th generation through Lakestreet Envoy. I am not sure 5% counts!

 

[Bernster]

For the uninitiated, what is the game?!

 

[little_critter]

No as a normal sport horse who is young.

I do keep looking at the forces equine one as I am a civil servant but I find it about as clear as mud to wade through. We are running qualifiers in SW as well according to police friends but I cannot work out if direct services or government.

If I can only target bronze prelim once, then I guess my next best targets for summer Q will be prelim silver (regionals) and novice bronze (petplans)?

I find dressage quite uninspiring for £40 (2 tests) so I try and keep my outings to a minimum and pick up the points I need in one go to save cash.

It’s not quite accurate that you can only do prelim bronze once. You can only DO WELL at prelim bronze once. I qualified for 2 prelim bronze AFs last year, I went to the AFs but only did okay-ish so reading through the edibility criteria in the new rule book, I’ve not put myself out of prelim bronze and can have another try.

Also note the qualifying criteria for AFs has changed in the new rules starting jan 22. You need 3 x sheets over 60%, it’s no longer points based qualifying. And you don’t need to do a Q test.

 

[milliepops]

Yes sorry this is correct, i really meant that if OP intends to continue up the levels then the prelim bronze door closes quickly. And as a rider you don't ever get another opportunity then, even if you start again with a horse that has never competed at all. very much like the old open/restricted, whereas Silver remains an option for much longer.

 

[little_critter]

Oh absolutely - make the most of the opportunities that you can only have on your first time through the levels.
I started a My Quest because it was a nice introduction and as we were both new to BD we could enter and take advantage of the shelter it provides those who are just starting out.

 

[RachelFerd]

it certainly does seem to encourage people to *not* move up a level in order to do well at the level below. can think of a pony who is schooling the medium level work at home who has been campaigned for prelim silver - which is all above board and dandy within the rules, but does seem a little tough on the horses who are genuinely prelim horses!

 

[LEC]

it certainly does seem to encourage people to *not* move up a level in order to do well at the level below. can think of a pony who is schooling the medium level work at home who has been campaigned for prelim silver - which is all above board and dandy within the rules, but does seem a little tough on the horses who are genuinely prelim horses!

I look at the winners of the Novice Gold/silver and go jeez mine doesn’t move like that - as in that over fancy trot with a lot of cadence. Then you see they are out at Adv-Med.

I don’t think there is an answer on this but there is a huge discrepancy on a sliding scale with what is a Novice horse? Eventing I do think you see this less. The fancy young horses with pros just move on as nothing for them below age classes and Gatcombe Novice champs.

 

[ihatework]

I suppose fancy young dressage horses have to be ring educated too.

I always found that with the bronze sections and also the petplans there was sufficient protection for the genuine amateurs.

Without meaning to state the obvious, it’s a different discipline to Eventing. Don’t worry yourself LEC, the lack of adrenaline at BD will mean the novelty will wear off pretty quick ????

 

[LEC]

Without meaning to state the obvious, it’s a different discipline to Eventing. Don’t worry yourself LEC, the lack of adrenaline at BD will mean the novelty will wear off pretty quick ????

This phase will soon go. It has kept me really motivated having some aims, normally I would hibernate in the winter and start filling education holes in January. Having no arena and some pretty crap hacking means it’s easy to just switch off.

 

[milliepops]

the adrenaline kicks in if you get up the levels a bit I think i felt more sick heading into my first PSG than going out of the start box at my first Novice lolol

 

[LEC]

the adrenaline kicks in if you get up the levels a bit I think i felt more sick heading into my first PSG than going out of the start box at my first Novice lolol

nah nothing beats the stress of sjing especially after you have just moved up a level/doing first international. Dressage I just never worry as you are only E if you leave the arena or forget your test 3x

 

[milliepops]

we'll have to agree to disagree I'm never nervous of the result really, more about feeling like a tosser for trying.

 

[RachelFerd]

I look at the winners of the Novice Gold/silver and go jeez mine doesn’t move like that - as in that over fancy trot with a lot of cadence. Then you see they are out at Adv-Med.

I don’t think there is an answer on this but there is a huge discrepancy on a sliding scale with what is a Novice horse? Eventing I do think you see this less. The fancy young horses with pros just move on as nothing for them below age classes and Gatcombe Novice champs.

With the one i'm thinking of it is a native type, not a fancy mover - i'm pretty convinced with his excellent training he'd do better at ele bronze than he does at prelim silver - but there you go!

Equally, just cos something trots beautifully doesn't mean it is educated to do any of the higher level work.

Eventing is definitely a different kettle of fish - because in eventing there is the potential for serious crash and burn type disaster by moving up too soon... and equally, for those of us who are inclined to be a bit thrill-seeky, there's not much attraction to pottering around at a lower level than we're capable of as a combination

 

[teapot]

ETS: new rules already mentioned above.

 

[Ossy2]

Maybe I’m missing something here I don’t really get this hole “game playing thing” ??or why everyone are always so fixated on feeling like they’re owed a sash or rosette, Or worrying about someone else’s journey. There’s always going to be people in the horse world doing something different to what you would. I’ve learnt loads competing in dressage over the years. Personally I’d rather get up the levels than win a sash after 10 years of prelim, and I’m happy to do AF’s and regionals along the way. Others just want to stay at a level and try win in that level, equally it’s their choice. I’ve never enjoyed my riding and competing more since I just concentrated on my own journey.

 

[LEC]

Maybe I’m missing something here I don’t really get this hole “game playing thing” ??or why everyone are always so fixated on feeling like they’re owed a sash or rosette, Or worrying about someone else’s journey. There’s always going to be people in the horse world doing something different to what you would. I’ve learnt loads competing in dressage over the years. Personally I’d rather get up the levels than win a sash after 10 years of prelim, and I’m happy to do AF’s and regionals along the way. Others just want to stay at a level and try win in that level, equally it’s their choice. I’ve never enjoyed my riding and competing more since I just concentrated on my own journey.

i guess it depends on your aims.

I save all my angst and ambition for eventing. Dressage is just a distraction and a bit of light relief with no expectations. Eventing gets all my enjoy the journey stuff and I don’t worry about prizes.

Dressage does have a championship for everyone and I have joked many times about them handing out 70 sashes a year for prelim alone (which is true). Why not go in the best prepared you can be? Understand the whole unwritten rules thing and venue discrepancy’s etc understand what you need to be doing to do well?

 

[nikkimariet]

if you only actually want to do regionals/areas though and aren't going to be awfully disappointed if you don't get to the nationals, any perceived gaming doesn't really matter, i have been able to qualify for everything I wanted to do incl regionals and areas up to I1 even with my puny horsepower.

Prelim Bronze is the one section that you only ever get one go at though, more or less in a lifetime, that is like the old "restricted" section, so you may as well go while you can.

100% agree. If you’re eligible for bronze prelim deffo do it.

Really, just have fun above all.

 

[DabDab]

Maybe I’m missing something here I don’t really get this hole “game playing thing” ??or why everyone are always so fixated on feeling like they’re owed a sash or rosette, Or worrying about someone else’s journey. There’s always going to be people in the horse world doing something different to what you would. I’ve learnt loads competing in dressage over the years. Personally I’d rather get up the levels than win a sash after 10 years of prelim, and I’m happy to do AF’s and regionals along the way. Others just want to stay at a level and try win in that level, equally it’s their choice. I’ve never enjoyed my riding and competing more since I just concentrated on my own journey.

? Different strokes for different folks. Some (actually quite a lot) people enjoy being competitive. The general standard at the lower to mid level dressage comps has improved considerably in recent years and I assume that is driven by people who really enjoy being competitive in the wider context.

Personally I'm not that bothered about being competitive (in any horse sport), or about anything that might generously be described as my journey. I'm more of a randomly-become-fascinated-with-abstract-aspects-of-training/performance-type competitor. But that does mean I accidentally make myself ineligible for things and/or go HC quite a bit to avoid the stress of trying to work out if I'm eligible for one section or another.