Shocked when watching dressage.

Halfpass

Halfpass

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I went along to a local dressage with a friend on wednesday. She competed in the Novice and did her first Elementary. It was unaffiliated and was the first round trailblazers.
What really shocked me was that there were 3 local well known riders that have competed in eventing ** and *** and been placed and they swept the board at this dressage comp!
Surely this is unfair?
My friends horse is a youngster and due to no transport she doesn't get out too often but even if she was out all week every week would she have a chance against these guys that have bags of money lessons every hour take their instructors with them and have very expensive horses?!
I had planned on doing some dressage on my youngster later this year but seeing this has really put me off. It seems to me that being affiliated would actually be better as at least you can compete in the restricted sections but then this starts to get expensive for you local everyday rider.
What are others thoughts on this? Am I just being a tad over sensitive or even showing a bit of the green eyed monster
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I don't know but how the hell can it be fair to be competing against these sort of riders at local unaff level?
RANT OVER!!
 
That happened to me when I did my first ever dressage test, I do think its unfair as I know the people who beat me had all been to the regionals, and have a lot of dressage points. But I beat some of them and we wasnt to far behind in the marks so they cant be that good
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Thats what I keep telling myself anyway and the fact my horse isnt a dressage horse.
 
I know but still seems so unfair. I thought that trailblazers was a way to get your average everyday rider out to a competiton where you could end up competing in a lovely venue against people from all over the country. Not for those just wanting to get prizes because they have horses that can and seem to eligable. If it was me competing my horse at that level eventing I just wouldn't entertain the idea of competing in an unaff show like that. Leave it for those of us that want to go out and have bit of fun occasionaly.
 
I think you are probably over-reacting a bit.
What level of eventing are they doing and what sort of dressage scores? The reason I say that is event horses aren't always dressage pro's!
The problem is when you are eventing that it is so damn expensive that to register BD as well for dressage practise isn't always an option so you make use of unaff stuff.
 
I know it prob feels as though they are pot hunting, but in actual fact are prob just trying to get out and practice with their horses, at a well run comp, without the expense of registering with BD.
 
I don't know why people feel like this?
If you want low key do pony/ riding club only as they have more restrictions and club only competitions.

I am annoyed as I should have been show jumping this week and would have had the chance to compete in a class against Bettina Hoy - I relish the challenge, bring it on!
 
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The problem is when you are eventing that it is so damn expensive that to register BD as well for dressage practise isn't always an option so you make use of unaff stuff.

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I know and I can completly understand that but somehow its still seems unfair. These riders and their horses were getting scores of well into the 70's with a judge that didn't seem to score particularly high anyway. These riders have competed at OI ** and ***. I'm not really up on eventing so wouldn't know what level this would be dressage wise.
 
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I know it prob feels as though they are pot hunting, but in actual fact are prob just trying to get out and practice with their horses, at a well run comp, without the expense of registering with BD.

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But if they are just practicing whay can't they compete HC to allow those that are doing 'the real thing' a chance?
 
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I think you are probably over-reacting a bit.
What level of eventing are they doing and what sort of dressage scores? The reason I say that is event horses aren't always dressage pro's!
The problem is when you are eventing that it is so damn expensive that to register BD as well for dressage practise isn't always an option so you make use of unaff stuff.

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Completely agree with you...
 
I think you are over reacting. These eventers do not go out to these local competitions and aim to win, there main aim is to take their fit event horses out for some dressage practise in a competition environment in order to help them improve their marks for when they go eventing. You will find that they probably wont do 2nd round trailblazers and for 1st round trailblazers, they are not taking a qualifying spot as anyone with a test over a certain percentage qualifies for the 2nd round.
This what I love about equestrianism, your average rider who just competes for fun at weekends can compete against the pro riders and it feels such an achievement when you beat them. I for instance have competed against Daisy Dick at a BD competition and managed to beat her in one class, it made me feel alot better especially when I didn't ride the best test in the world.
 
I'm a Mum and work full time and have two sons to bring up.

I ride maximum of 3 times a week more often only 2.

So no I'm not very good.

Other people can ride have lessons everyday and they will beat me.

That's fair to me, you get out what you put in.
 
For the same reason as your friend - because they want to compete.

Really cant see the problem, so long as they are competing within the Trailblazer rules and restrictions, they have as much right to compete as anyone else.

They get high scores because they are doing the work correctly, shouldn't exclude them from competing!!
 
BTW - I do Dressage Ireland (BD equivalent - no such thing as unaffiliated over here tbh unless you count RC and PC dressage) and I've competed several times against eventers who have competed up to 3* level... I've beat some of their horses a couple of times, and it's a great feeling!
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Were the horses they were on ** and *** horses, or just the riders? Well known riders still have young horses to back and bring on. I would imagine that the horses weren't the 3* horses - their dressage tests are more equivalent to medium I think (half pass?).

As for going HC, I'm not convinced that that is really "competition" practice, as the rider knows they are not competing.
 
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That's fair to me, you get out what you put in.

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I'd be a little pee'd off if someone who only rode twice a week beat me! I work full time and give up any social life to ride in the evenings every night. This means I am mucking out at 7am and don't finish until 9pm. However its my choice (and fairly high chance i wouldn't have a social life anyway, so not such a sob story!)

I work hard, but I'm not that naturally talented, so winning against professionals gives me one hell of a buzz!
 
The eventers could also be trying to get some visible competition experience into horses that they are going to sell..it looks much better to say "qualifed Trailblazers" than "won at Somewhere dressage club". If you want to avoid them you have to pick your competition carefully, as I would do !
 
Interesting post. I did some Trailblazers dressage last year and although qualified for the second rounds - I rarely got placed as there were always pro's in the class that got amazing scores. Not going to debate whether this is fair or not but like you - did think that the point of Trailblazers was for amateur riders that didn't want to affiliate.... What is interesting is that my local venue is now running UK Chasers dressage and SJ comps which run in a similar way to Trailblazers with second rounds and finals. There are much tighter restrictions on who can qualify. Everyone can compete but if you are registed BD OR BE you cannot go through to second rounds. Which seems to be the solution. All riders can compete to give their horses a run - but only the true unaff rider will go through........
 
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Not going to debate whether this is fair or not but like you - did think that the point of Trailblazers was for amateur riders that didn't want to affiliate.... What is interesting is that my local venue is now running UK Chasers dressage and SJ comps which run in a similar way to Trailblazers with second rounds and finals. There are much tighter restrictions on who can qualify. Everyone can compete but if you are registed BD OR BE you cannot go through to second rounds. Which seems to be the solution. All riders can compete to give their horses a run - but only the true unaff rider will go through........

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My point exactly I just feel (especially in something like Trailblazers) that the restrictions could do with being a little bit tighter. Its interesting to see people views though. I have not really competed that much but aim to with my youngster and was just suprised to find this.
 
Actually after reading the trailblazer website:
"Trailblazers is an organisation developed for the enthusiastic rider and sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers and Horse Magazine. It is a competition structure suitable for the true amateur/recreational rider with four levels of show jumping competitions over heights of .75M / .85M / .95M and 1.05M and three levels of dressage comprising of Preliminary, Novice and Elementary. These competitions are split into Senior and Junior sections and run over two rounds, culminating in a Grand Final at Stoneleigh Park sponsored by SPILLERS® "

They actually ought to ban any affiliated rider whether BD, BE or BSJA
 
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Actually after reading the trailblazer website:
"Trailblazers is an organisation developed for the enthusiastic rider and sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers and Horse Magazine. It is a competition structure suitable for the true amateur/recreational rider with four levels of show jumping competitions over heights of .75M / .85M / .95M and 1.05M and three levels of dressage comprising of Preliminary, Novice and Elementary. These competitions are split into Senior and Junior sections and run over two rounds, culminating in a Grand Final at Stoneleigh Park sponsored by SPILLERS® "

They actually ought to ban any affiliated rider whether BD, BE or BSJA

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Now that is very interesting.....
 
no please dont ban any rider who is affiliated as i take my babies to them and i use them to practise. i am just using them to practise and even though i am affiliating i dont clean up.
 
perfectly fair...
They have as much right as your friend to enter that class. If she'd beaten them bet you wouldn't be complaining. They may use them for babies or practise (and why should they go HC when the rules allow them to enter???)
 
If you are taking babies out as a professional you shouldn't really care if you are HC.

This is supposed to be for the Amateur and Recreational rider, so sorry but if you are a professional rider you shouldn't be competing!
 
Right, well I'm the friend that Halfpass is talking about!
I did my first elementary on Axey on wednesday at GX. I train with a very good instructor and school him 4 or 5 times a week. I have won and been placed every time out recently at novice level and am quite confident in mine and my horses ability to do a decent test. I don't have my own transport so I haven't been out since january and before that it was november 07.

I was feeling a little bit nervous before hand (unusual for me) and felt very tired and drained too, also Axel fell over on the yard 2 days before hand. As you all know he is very spooky at new places and doesn't really settle until the 2nd test.
What Halfpass is trying to say is that I was in the warm up with several 'professional' riders, 2 of whom were in the british team for eventing. They were on their advanced/intermediate event horses. It was quite obvious that they were going to do well, and rightly so, don't get me wrong!
It was a trailblazers comp which as Cotswold SJ pointed out is for amateur riders such as myself.
Incidentally I didn't do very well at all, I'm afraid to say that my nerves got the better of me and I went wrong and made a few costly mistakes and got 56.7% in the Novice and 50% in the Elementary and came last! Axel is only 6 tho, bless him and has the disadvantage of being 1/2 Arab!

I have put off joining BD but would I be better off if I did? I am eligable to ride in the restricted section.
 
There are restrictions with Trailblazers Dressage check your rule books peeps!!

Prelim is best level for grass roots dressage peeps such as myself.

You want to worry more about the ruddy judge I had last week in Regional Finals that accused me of "hitting my horse around the head" as I did my halt, gave me a 2!!! She clearly was blind, I didnt even pat him!!! - I stroked his neck, have 5 witnesses. I have contacted her and she maintains that is what she felt she saw!! And now I have put a complaint in to BD as she is a trainee!!

So dont worry about fellow competitors ha ha!!
 
Thank you, It's just that I felt scared enough anyway without people with union jacks on their jackets warming up with me! Talk about intimidate the opposition!
If they hadn't had been there I wouldn't have come anywhere anyway. My comment from the judge was horse not ready for this level yet, fair enough I'm probably not in hindsight, but at least I had a go!
 
The way I look at it is:-

1: Event riders and horses (no disrespect) that are any good at jumping are NOT always as good at the dressage!! - some are good at dressage and crap at the jumping phases!! - not every horse is perfect and of course there are exceptions.

2. Dressage is like showing (hence I prefer jumping!) its based on some elses opinion so take it as a pinch of salt.

3. Stick to competitions that are fully restricted if things like this will "irk" you as its enevitable it will grate at you.

Personally I prefer competing against better people than me as it gives me something good to aim for.

My horse qualified for regionals in his 2nd ever test and that was pure fluke! he just went well. The regional was lovely test and judge was blind!! - see earlier post - not talking about actual parts of the test!! so you never know, its someones opinion and you cant change it.

Funnily enough trailblazers now do a showing series, which we have qualified for, have you tried this? Its definately grass roots level with no HOYS RIHS qualified people within last two years.

BTW go and buy a british union jack patch, slap it your numnah and grin to yourself!!!

Just because they have all the gear doesnt mean a thing. My employer and my website sponsor me, I got all the pretty things, but doesnt mean I can ride for toffee!!!
 
i totally understand where you are coming from, but just because a rider has competed at 3*/OI or whatever in the past, doesn't mean they're riding as good a horse as that on the day... and if they're not, they're just trying to get some experience into the horses.
i will take the useless/unpredictable baby ones out at local level, and feel a bit embarrassed if they win, but i won't once they get to a decent level... but i could understand people feeling aggrieved tbh.
i went to a trailblazers sj (first time ever) a few months ago and my mare was probably about the worst behaved there, fwiw! i may have looked slightly too professional but i certainly didn't win any rosettes!
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