Sell me on Show-Jumping & Dressage

[Ample Prosecco]

SJers and dressage specialiasts out there - tell me why you love your sport! I am seriously considering a change of focus this year. Instead of eventing with a bit of SJ and dressage to prepare for those phases, I might focus on SJ and dressage. With the odd event or Hunter Trial for fun, and so I don't have to start from scratch with XC in 2024.

For lots of reasons, I don't think I am going to event much this year. There are loads of family commitments which clash with everything exciting/interesting I would have targeted. They all relate to big birthdays and annivs (50th, 80th, 85th. etc) so I can't bail but won't happen next year. Plus I am skint. Plus I am working really hard to un-skint myself, and eventing is just so time consuming. Plus there is a limit to how many runs I can fit in as it's a long day for us both. As the big aim this year is to fill in Lottie's education gaps, I want to compete often enough, in low key ways, to test out her new training. Eventing is just too expensive and time consuming to use in that way.

So I am registered BS and aiming to start at BN and see where we get. And I aim to do unaffiliated dressage. But all my reasons are 'because I'm not eventing' reasons rather than 'embracing SJ and strdressage' reasons. Which is not as inspiring. So get me excited! And also let me know what in the Midlands/NW I could target. TIA xx

 

[RachelFerd]

Caveat here in that I have never found anything as fun as eventing, but I do enjoy BS to an extent - particularly with my older horse who is a bit of a 'diesel money' type! Dressage competition for me isn't any fun and for that reason I've cancelled my BD memberships. Even doing area festivals was about as much fun as watching magnolia paint dry.

BS has got significantly easier to take part in since COVID has forced pre-entries and TIMES! Now it is possibly to have a life *and* go SJ, because you actually can make plans and know when things are going to be happening. This is such a relief. You never know if you're going to have 10 entries in a class or 80 - so in the bad old days I'd have to turn up planning for the former, and fully expecting the latter. Now I have times. Joy.

Plenty to aim for in BS - the first thing you'll want to do is get your 4x BN double clears - the qual window for this runs from 1 May to 30 April - so you're probably not going to get that done within this April, so something to focus on from May onwards. That will qualify you for 2nd rounds (which start at 1m) next Spring.

If you head to Cat 1 shows there will be amateur classes too - this tend to be a bit fast and furious for the placings, but you could aim at the 95cm amateur champs. Qual window for this is 1 Sep- 31 August, so something to aim for before the end of the summer. 5x DCs will get you straight to the nat amateur champs. Or one DC will qualify you for a 2nd round, which would then require some speedy jumping to get to the finals. Same rules apply if you wanted to aim at the 85cm champs. These are held at Aintree in November, so a good local aim.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

@RachelFerd thanks so much for such a comprehensive reply! Lots to target. And aiming for Aintree is a great goal. x

 

[Cortez]

If, after doing at least what's required for eventing, you just don't "get" the love for dressage then nothing a dressage-o-phile says is going to infuse you with it. It's the striving for perfection, the feel of the horse learning, and gaining balance, strength and poise that does it for me. What passes for dressage at most lower level stuff is what put me off judging for good; it's just not dressage. If you really want to go for it you'll need an excellent & inspirational teacher, and those are far and few between.

 

[Tacobell]

both my horses have too many points for BN and DISCO so i aim for the amateurs..
i went up to aintree last year and it was so so so much fun. i actually came 6th in the final for the 95.

i am also looking at qualifying for scope this year and i have also qualified for Blue Chip Champs which is also a fab experience.

 

[RachelFerd]

If, after doing at least what's required for eventing, you just don't "get" the love for dressage then nothing a dressage-o-phile says is going to infuse you with it. It's the striving for perfection, the feel of the horse learning, and gaining balance, strength and poise that does it for me. What passes for dressage at most lower level stuff is what put me off judging for good; it's just not dressage. If you really want to go for it you'll need an excellent & inspirational teacher, and those are far and few between.

I think what I realised is that I could really enjoy dressage training whilst also hating the competitions. When my younger one is ready for medium+ I may rejoin, as he's an enjoyable horse to train and "gets" the desire to move with lightness. Competition scoring isn't always that kind to him because he can be inconsistent and is weak, but I do think he's got the ability to go further up the levels and that desire to really listen in training.

 

[Caol Ila]

I trained dressage with my old mare long after I quit competing. I found the shows stressful (Type III fun... see other thread) so I quit doing that. But I loved the feeling of lightness and power I got from my horse as she improved. So we trained for ourselves.

If and when Hermosa ever gets to something resembling Elementary or Medium, we might try the odd show again. The baby classes (Novice on down) seem to be held at the buttcrack of dawn. Screw. That.

 

[Palindrome]

Dressage. When the horse settles on the bit and gives his back so even sitting trot becomes comfortable, you go round showing off in a posh trot, twirling around. I love it. Particularly when the horse starts to learn to go up instead of just forward.
Jumping is fun too, with an experienced horse you let him take the shortcuts in the turns, then counting to 3 strides and flying over.

But I have only done cross country once and the horse was so out of control it wasn't fun, we had no brake nor steering so stopped after 2 jumps. Plenty of galloping to be done hacking though. Perhaps fun rides are more for you if you are on a budget and not so keen on dressage/SJ? Team chasing? endurance riding?

 

[Accidental Eventer]

So I used to event and now just SJ and dressage. XC will always be my first love, but eventing was mentally a huge challenge and takes a huge amount of time. I can ride normal dressage but cannot do eventing dressage. My scores are always worse eventing. So I stepped away and discovered I am good at show jumping. I like that I can have a crap round and fix it without it feeling like the whole weekend is ruined. Plus we actually win which always helps but not the main goal.

The courses are harder and take more skill. Jump off are fun and a good challenge. You horse has to be fast and clean. And I can jump my rounds and be home by lunch! And I dont need to provide a helper where as here in eventing you have to provide a helper to do a duty.

I Really like the challenge of dressage, especially now we have cracked elem. I like improving all the time and having a go without the risk of death lol. Also I can be home at a decent hour from there too. And I dont spend my whole weekend doing those things so I can spend time with my family, or ride the other horse, or catch up with friends. Its a nice balance.

Plus mentally I can handle the pressure so mcuh better than I did eventing. I think eventing was just such a huge commitment

 

[humblepie]

I was always a show jumper and my selling point would be it’s not someone’s opinion. It’s if you go clear and fast. It has that competitive element to it which is exciting. Working out your jump off line where you can squeeze that winning tenth of a second.

I did my first BD in my 50s and do love the learning side to it and developing with the horse. I find the competition side doesn’t have excitement really even at a championship as you go and look at a scoreboard for your results. You may get a mounted prize giving but generally everyone left by then. Would add though that when you suddenly suss out a movement or get the amazing trot it is awesome and no better feeling

I’ve lost my ability to show jump and my main discipline now is showing so nothing to add of much help really

 

[spacefaer]

As a (currently) non competing eventer I feel your pain.
SJ I think the bases have been covered in the posts above!

My incentive for dressage training at the lower levels is improving to the point where I'd be able to go out and smash a sub 20 dressage score once I got back to eventing (never happened as I retired first but it was a good aim!).
Also show jumping is more closely related to dressage than it is to xc, so if you're working on one, it'll improve the other......

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Thanks for replies. I need competition to keep me interested, so fun rides don’t do it for me. But I can really imagine getting into Showjumping. The bit about being able to rapidly fix a cr@p round resonated. You can pretty much SJ any weekend day.

Also the lack of subjectivity appeals.

I love schooling and maybe if I ever produced good work in a test I’d feel better about dressage. I am ever hopeful!

Ok getting excited to try and get to Aintree……

 

[Squeak]

It's well worth looking in to Riding Club Teams/ Champs too, they've usually got loads of qualifiers on and would give you something to aim for.

 

[oldie48]

I just find dressage totally addictive and the more I've got into it, the more addictive it's become. I love that feeling of being "at one" with the horse, when you know he's listening to you and waiting for you. I wasn't feeling great this morning, little energy, so we did lots of work on halts. The more we did, his energy and softness developed and he became more uphill. I could feel him waiting for the next cue. To anyone watching it might have been like watching paint dry, but to ride it was really beautiful. A conversation between friends. Bloody hell I'm getting really mushy in my old age but it's taken a long time for me to appreciate what is really magical about riding and I think it's this.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

That sounds amazong oldie48. And is absolutely what I love about riding the 'Joe' way. The connection is wonderful. The first time Lottie cantered a steady circle on a loose rein in self carriage I burst into tears. A million miles away from what I had ever felt in any other 'dressage' lesson.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I've just entered Chatsworth Arena Eventing. That is always a great event. So something good to look forward to x

 

[spacefaer]

The other thing I'd add about competing at lower levels in dressage is it can be really really boring. Walk, trot canter, change the rein, same again.
As you go up the levels, it's a lot more pleasurable and interesting! There are a lot more buttons to press and more exciting things to do

 

[Squeak]

I've just entered Chatsworth Arena Eventing. That is always a great event. So something good to look forward to x

When I had to step back from eventing for various reasons last year I took the opportunity to compete at the shows and champs etc. that I've always wanted to do but not got round to or no longer had time to do because of being focused on eventing. I had a wonderful time going to shows just to enjoy them, rode at some amazing venues and even managed to win or get placed at shows I would never have dreamt I could have. Basically that horse/ show bucket list.

Sometimes it's nice to have the opportunity to do things just for the sheer pleasure of them, with just going and enjoying the experience as the goal. I was also really surprised how much my horse improved last season. He improved hugely for the variety of shows and challenges and we managed to achieve even my most ambitious goals for the season.

 

[LEC]

I did My Quest last year and for £60 membership I thought it was pretty good and you can do the BD combined training qualifiers next year if joined. I quite liked seeing scores on the leaderboard and where you are for qualifying. Though this year they have changed it which is annoying. My Quest was very casual and used BD judges. The aim is to keep improving your percentages which appealed. I went to regionals which was fun. I wouldn’t bother with any BD champs ever again. Done two now and a waste of money and energy as they are not very special.

 

[humblepie]

Squeak - my horse is older now and like you I choose several shows last year I hadn't done before and picked nice locations.

 

[maya2008]

Dressage is best on a horse that likes it. Otherwise it’s just flatwork for jumping!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I can really imagine enjoying it if I were better at it. Lottie feels like she is making huge progress in this area, so fingers crossed…

 

[Accidental Eventer]

I’m truely rubbish at dressage, I work hard on it but I’m not one who makes it look easy. However I persist as I quite enjoy the achievement and the sideways buts are fun.

 

[oldie48]

Dressage is best on a horse that likes it. Otherwise it’s just flatwork for jumping!

I'm not sure it's about the horse "liking" dressage. My current ride is an ex advanced eventer, he was a machine cross country and really good at show jumping (still likes to pop round a 110 track but not with me!). He did OK at dressage because of how he was trained not because he necessarily liked it or was naturally talented at it. He knows his job because he's been trained to do it.

 

[maya2008]

I'm not sure it's about the horse "liking" dressage. My current ride is an ex advanced eventer, he was a machine cross country and really good at show jumping (still likes to pop round a 110 track but not with me!). He did OK at dressage because of how he was trained not because he necessarily liked it or was naturally talented at it. He knows his job because he's been trained to do it.

But it’s so much more fun when they are enjoying the work! When it’s just necessary for competition or as base suppling etc for jumping, it’s a chore. A thing you and horse/pony have to do. If they don’t mind it, then it’s ok. If they find it incredibly boring, it’s not fun. But a horse/pony who loves it…it’s a whole new world.

My old TB LOVED dressage. She enjoyed learning new things, worked hard to get her movements correct and was switched on and engaged with the process, not simply being obedient. We’d get ready to go out and she’d practically load herself, then once we went into the ring she literally lit up with excitement. She loved it, the whole prancing around looking pretty, following a test thing. It was her time to shine and I grew to love dressage because she did. None of my others actively enjoyed it, it was a thing we did, no more.

Then I introduced husband’s cob to it and he loves the whole thing as much as my TB did. He can be an anxious soul despite his perfect behaviour, and dressage allows him to relax, to focus fully and just concentrate on the movements and getting it right. He goes completely calm, concentrates fully and just genuinely relaxes into whatever we are doing. Schooling him is like relaxing into this wonderfully zen other world, where all there is at any one time is the movement you are in and the next one, or the focus on improving/learning something specific. He lights up down the centre line too.

My mare will do it - she’s not awful at it - but there’s no joy in it, so we do what we have to so she can jump.

 

[oldie48]

Certainly some horses find it easier or a better fit for their "mindset" and that makes it more enjoyable for the rider . Owner went to a BD judging clinic at the weekend, words of wisdom from the well known dressage pro was "schooling can be really boring if you don't enjoy riding the horse"!

 

[RachelFerd]

Certainly some horses find it easier or a better fit for their "mindset" and that makes it more enjoyable for the rider . Owner went to a BD judging clinic at the weekend, words of wisdom from the well known dressage pro was "schooling can be really boring if you don't enjoy riding the horse"!

Yep. Schooled both of my boys last night. 6yo is schooling Ele+ and is weak and wobbly, but really wants to move with lightness and freedom. Really wants to listen to the aids and is very rideable through all of his lateral work. Really gives me the feeling that he likes the work. 40 minutes disappears in no time and I have to remind myself to get off.

Older horse is a 12yo, schooling medium-ish (just about) and has taken absolutely years of sweat and tears to get to that point. Lovely horse, great temperament, very willing, but does not naturally have any desire to be light, elegant, flexible. Will do it all because he wants to please, but not because he seems to get any joy from moving with lightness. He'd crash around on the forehand for the rest of time if he was only allowed to. 40 minutes feels like *forever*....

I love both horses, and when it comes to showjumping, i'd much prefer to be on the second horse, because that's the activity that he really gets inspired by.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Did my first National Amateur Championship comp today. Clear in the 85. So I have qualified for 2nd rounds but not really sure what that means? I get the 5 DCs to qualify for Aintree bit, but not the rounds. @RachelFerd you mention 2nd rounds in your very helpful post. Can you elaborate?

2 poles in the 95 but I am happy with that at my frst outing at that height. I figured I event at 90 - how much bigger can it be? MUCH MUCH bigger, is the answer!! I had not factored in the 10cm increase for the jump off phase. 105. Yikes. Lottie was ace though and both errors were just me getting tense and passive. When I rode forward positively, she flew.

And I was home in time for lunch. Very civilised.

 

[Squeak]

Well done, sounds like a really good day. I can't help with the qualifiers but I'm also always surprised in the height differences between BS and BE. I find SJ so much more civilised and easier to plan for now that most of them give times - definitely a good thing to have come out of covid.

 

[RachelFerd]

Did my first National Amateur Championship comp today. Clear in the 85. So I have qualified for 2nd rounds but not really sure what that means? I get the 5 DCs to qualify for Aintree bit, but not the rounds. @RachelFerd you mention 2nd rounds in your very helpful post. Can you elaborate?

2 poles in the 95 but I am happy with that at my frst outing at that height. I figured I event at 90 - how much bigger can it be? MUCH MUCH bigger, is the answer!! I had not factored in the 10cm increase for the jump off phase. 105. Yikes. Lottie was ace though and both errors were just me getting tense and passive. When I rode forward positively, she flew.

And I was home in time for lunch. Very civilised.

2 pathways to the final - either get 5x DCs, or get 1x DC, go to the 2nd rounds and then a certain top % in that will qualify for Aintree. The 2nd rounds do tend to be full of very experienced older speedy horses going hell for leather in the JO