Tell me all about online dressage, please.

Fruitcake

Fruitcake

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I've been thinking of some different things to try with my horse. I've had a look at a couple of online dressage sites and thought I might give an intro test a go.

I've never done any competitive dressage before although my instructor is very 'classical' so my schooling and lessons tend to lean towards dressage.

Which sites would people recommend? Is it worth trying? I don't expect to win anything: just thought it might be something fun to try. I noticed one of the sites did 'Training competitions' where you were judged but mainly just for the feedback so wondered if this might be a good place to start.
 
I have helped someone do Dressage Anywhere, it seemed easy to enter, you upload to Youtube, and send them a link.

The judge said what I had been saying to the person for ages, but seeing it written down by a judge really drove it home, and has had a fantastic effect of new thoughts! The same horse and rider are not now recognisable.

I think it is great as an exercise where you have to ride the test, it is judged by a stranger, the comments made sense. All good!
 
In my experience, the Dressage Anywhere is easy to enter, good judges and useful feedback. Gets you ready for competition, or is an alternative if you prefer. The training class lets you do any test you want, whereas the competition tests are set monthly. They also have music classes (new, I've not done them).
 
Good fun if you get a good judge who will give you decent feedback - otherwise not really worth the entry fee as you're gaining none of the 'out and about' experience from taking part. Don't get too cocky thinking you can keep trying until you record the 'perfect' test, because everyone else can do the same :D Standards are high. Also check entry fee to prize money ratio - sad to say I'm sure I've seen a good bit of pot hunting when someone is sure they'll be in the ribbons and the competition doesn't restrict entries.

I know that all sounds negative, but that's just the down sides! Plenty to be gained from entering, too, especially if you can't get out to venues.
 
i was thinking about doing this and wondered what sort of videocamera people used? I think I read somewhere you have to be able to zoom. I have a access to a gopro, an iphone6, an ipad (techie loving boyfriend!) but I don't think any of them zoom. I think I have an old video camera from about 5 years ago that I might have to dig out but not sure how good it is.
 
I use the video function on my compact camera. It does zoom, but it might be worth checking on the filming guidelines again. I think they actually don't like too much zooming because it makes it harder to judge where the rider is in relation to the markers, and can also make the video very wobbly. I think decent quality is a must though. Not sure whether a phone or pad would be up to it.
 
I use E-Dressage - I love it as it is easy to use, great judges and feedback system and the lady that owns/runs it has been very helpful and encouraging.

I started as following an accident in the horsebox, my horse has quite understandably lost a lot of confidence about loading & travelling (as I have I!) & I fancied something to help give us something to work towards in our lessons & schooling :)

Neither horse or I have ever competed before - so it's a nice entry point in too for us both. You don't need to buy competition wear, either - which could be another bonus!
 
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Ooh good reminder, I was thinking of doing this and not keen on going out to do stressage (too many other exciting things to do). Might see if folks at my yard are interested in doing a day for this.
 
I've been doing interdressage for a few months now. I chose them over the others because there are fewer restrictions on my tack (bitless etc). Feedback is good (especially if you get in on time for the instructor comments)and did spot some things that certainly haven't consistently been picked up by my instructors.
I would actually prefer they didn't pay prize money though as quality of entries I novice walk and trot is ridiculous - many people in there stay in scoring high 70s for all 3 scores of 68%+ they are allowed before being forced to move to intermediate, which now means people like me for whom 70+ is a distant dream and are gradually working up in competence are likely to end up out of novice without ever placing as 10th now usually goes to someone with at least 70. I would like to see a rule that says if you score 70+ in your first novice then you go straight to intermediate next month as it's quite demoralising for genuine novices to be 23rd etc in the class.
 
Thanks for the replies. I did notice the extremely high scores! I agree that could be very disheartening. (Certainly for me!) I think I'll give the practice classes on Dressage Anywhere a go first and see how horrific my scores are!
 
I do wish these things were more controlled entry-wise. There's no reason not to, since you have to have an account and they know how you've placed previously. And it's not like taking a young horse out into the lower classes for the experience, since you're doing the test at home!

I've thought before that when the prize money exceeds the entry fees you do see some VERY good riders in the lower levels, and that bugs me - there's no reason I can see for that beyond pot hunting.

That said, it's worth doing to compete against your own scores and improve your feedback - though when I used Dressage Anywhere a few years back, sometimes the feedback was sketchy at best, which is a shame - the judges can watch and pause and rewind to their heart's content, they should at least give good comments :D Interdressage sounds better for feedback, and it's possible DA has improved since I was trying.
 
To film I use an app called Moviepro on the iPad (goes on phone too). It has a zoom function and was recommended by dressage anywhere. Their 'how to' pages are very good.
Personally I don't care about the placing - for me it is seeing how me and my horse are progressing - she's my first youngster, and until recently I had no transport. It was also my introduction to competing - I'd never competed before. I have dressed up though - used it for practice :-)
I suppose it's got the same challenges as competing 'live' - people have different motivations. As long as you enjoy it!
 
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