Prelim to Novice and Badminton Feeds Grass Roots class

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Shantor1

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I've been competing my large ID x TB in unaff prelims for the past year and we're scoring around 60-61% mark. However, whilst schooling him at home, we school to Novice level as I find this keeps him mentally challenged or he spooks and plays around.

My trainer is of the belief he has more than enough potential to go to Novice now with a view to Elementary. However, I feel that I should be improving myself first to get scores around 65%+ at Prelim before going to Novice. Although, I am thinking of having a go at Novice to compare my standard of riding.

The other class I am interested in doing is the Badminton Horse Feeds Grass Roots qualifier.

I just wondered what other dressage riders would advise, based on their experiences, and esp those who have got to the Winter Regionals. It has been inspiring to read. I am a hard self critic though and feel I need to work harder to up my score.
 
What sort of comments do you get from judges in the prelim?

Are you scoring 6's all the way down? Or is there one pace that lets you down?

I think perhaps i would stay at prelim and work on improving the things the judges are commenting on, to give you 6's, before moving up to Novice.
 
Go for it, its worth a try, I did the Badminton grass roots qualifier today and it was a mixed bag with scores ranging from 55% up to 76%!! You can always go back to prelim if you find Novice too much of a challenge, I always tend to do a prelim followed by a novice class, but i only do unaffilated as main thing is eventing. Good luck
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Comments are usually "needs to go forwards more" - Yep the reason he doesn't is I'm still working on my seat to keep my hands steady - and "unsettled in his head". I score 6 for collective mark for riders influence but he usually gets 7 for his athletic paces. Judges typical comment is they'd award more marks for him if my riding influences him better!

We usually score predominantly 6s and our last test included 7s. Much better from our days of 3s, 4s and 5s.

On reflection I agree, I need to improve more so will be organising more training sessions and clinics for dressage plus lot more practice.
 
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