Trailblazers Dressage

C

chestnut cob

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 November 2004
Messages
14,992
Location
Shropshire
community.webshots.com
Does anyone have any experiences of Trailblazers dressasge they would like to share with me? Only talking about Prelim. I'm sure there must be at least a few who've had a go,

I've got a couple of questions...what is the standard like? I have an idea in my head that there is probably a massive gulf between the standard of Trailblazers and unaffil, like the difference between RC/unaffl dressage and BD. Am I imagining this?!
blush.gif
Is it mostly just lots of people on big flashy WBs who train at Med level at home and have lessons from Carl Hester, or is it really as the website says and "for the true amateur / recreational rider"? I'm hoping that me and my IDx carthorse won't look out of place
wink.gif


I always need something to aim for, which applies to all aspects of my life be it work, horses, whatever, so thought Trailblazers might be nice to think about. Horse has only done a handful of dressage comps (and only one before I got him) but has come away with a placing in every one (first and second at the weekend
grin.gif
)...worth a go?!

All thoughts welcome
grin.gif
 
From what i've experienced it is not disimilar to RC dressage just a bit more well organised. I suppose it depends on the venue though. Have a go and enjoy it..it sounds like you would do very well!!
 
My boy qualified a year or 2 ago - i did 2 shows (4 qualifiers) at elementary and he got the required over 60% in all 4 classes - i didnt find the level any higher than any other unaff i had done at the time. I dont know about the prelim level but if you dont try you will never know - I ride a (very lovely)coloured irish horse against often some very fancy warmbloods and he holds his own perfectly well - and he is now doing very well at bd so dont even worry about looking out of place just concentrate on your test and dont worry about what anyone else is doing -Good Luck xx
 
Go for it!
Qualified for 2nd rounds with my pony (aged 22 - bless her). Very well run - just like a unaffiliated at a bigger venue. Standard was good but I think it is only 58% to qualify for the 2nd rounds so If you are doing well anyway this should be achieveable.

Only thing I found near me was that a lot of the local pro-eventers used it as a "get the horse out" in the winter / spring and took all the qualifiers for the finals then told people they wouldn't be bothering going anyway, just looks good when selling the younger horses. (shame but nothing in the rules - I don't think- about this) I fully understand they need to do some tests in prep for eventing ( like I am doing now) however they do not need to compete in what should be a grass roots dressage for amateurs. There are plenty of other comps around.....sorry rant over with.

If you choose your venues carefully they are really nice competitions. i still get the magazine through too even though I qualified last year
 
Thanks
smile.gif


According to the website it's now 58% to qualify which hopefully we would manage (we somehow managed 69.5% on Sunday in our Prelim LOL!)...

Can I have a caller at Trailblazers?! I have no doubts in my horse's ability but the rider leaves a bit to be desired...I am terrible at remembering tests!!
blush.gif
 
PP, you're quite close to me by the looks of things (Staffs..I'm in Shrops). Where did you find were the best local venues to go to? Where should I avoid if the I want to avoid the pro's ruining the fun?!
 
Trailblazers isn't really any different from your unaff dressage, well it's not round here anyway! You'll get a huge mixture of horses and riders, you certainly wouldn't look 'out of place' if that is what you are worried about.

Go and enjoy it!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Trailblazers isn't really any different from your unaff dressage, well it's not round here anyway! You'll get a huge mixture of horses and riders, you certainly wouldn't look 'out of place' if that is what you are worried about.

Go and enjoy it!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks. I think I'm convinced that everyone will be there with huge lorries, flashy horses and be warming up by doing half passes, canter pirouettes and be 1 BD point under the limit for being out of Trailblazers, therefore we wouldn't stand a chance!
 
I think you will have fun. Sounds like you will get a good score too
smile.gif
I have a caller as I too can never remember tests
blush.gif
My mare either does very well or very bad - depends on her mood for the day. I am sure sometimes other competitors and judges think I am mad even being there but I dont care. Its a chance to get out and have a go and when she does get it right its the most fab feeling in the world.
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

Thanks. I think I'm convinced that everyone will be there with huge lorries, flashy horses and be warming up by doing half passes, canter pirouettes and be 1 BD point under the limit for being out of Trailblazers, therefore we wouldn't stand a chance!

[/ QUOTE ]

I do BD and I don't have the flash lorry or horse and don't warm up doing canter half passes and pirouettes
shocked.gif
grin.gif
tongue.gif
 
Well I've just looked on the website again and if I'd read it correctly, you can't do Trailblazers Prelim if you are registered with BD which makes me feel a bit better! Though I might have read that wrong!

One more question...I'm looking at the qualifier dates and assume that the 1st round dates refer to this coming Aug/Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec and the 2nd round refers either next year or the Jan-Apr just gone?
confused.gif
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

I do BD and I don't have the flash lorry or horse and don't warm up doing canter half passes and pirouettes
shocked.gif
grin.gif
tongue.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Well really, you should try a bit harder and make you sure you do in future then
wink.gif
wink.gif
grin.gif
tongue.gif


Thanks guys, I'm inspired to go and have a go now!
smile.gif
 
Yes I think they are all at Stoneleigh at the moment for the finals. The next lot of first rounds will be starting like you say Aug onwards. So at least you are starting at the beginning of the TB season.
smile.gif
 
Great
smile.gif
The most local place to me is Kingswood and, bearing in mind I can't make it to the one on the 16th Aug, I have 5 other (so 10 tests) in which to have a go at qualifying. Prescott EC used to run TB stuff but looks like they aren't doing it anymore which is a shame, as that means Kingswood really is the only place I can go unless I want to drive to Milton Keynes
frown.gif


ETS - if anyone is local to me and fancies calling on a yet-to-be-announced date for me, I would be eternall grateful and will supply coffee and food!
grin.gif
 
hey,
i've just got back from the trailblazer finals at stoneleigh, doing the prelim. i found at the local shows, to qualify the standard is just the same as unaff really.
however at the finals, on the second day in the championship class, i was abit out of my depth. some very nice horses which would not look out of place doing an elementary test. But they also run consolation classes meaning everyone gets a chance, which is great!
i had a great few days, and met some very nice people also competing. i would recomend it to anyone.
x
 
[ QUOTE ]
hey,
i've just got back from the trailblazer finals at stoneleigh, doing the prelim. i found at the local shows, to qualify the standard is just the same as unaff really.
however at the finals, on the second day in the championship class, i was abit out of my depth. some very nice horses which would not look out of place doing an elementary test. But they also run consolation classes meaning everyone gets a chance, which is great!
i had a great few days, and met some very nice people also competing. i would recomend it to anyone.
x

[/ QUOTE ]

Well done on getting to the Final
grin.gif
How did you get on?

What are the consolation classes?! Confused now!

What you say about horses not looking out of place at Elem is interesting...why do people compete in a Prelim class when they're clearly working at a much higher level? How can there be any fun in that, just for the sake of winning?
confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Just wondering what does the trailbrazers qualify you for? And when is the actual final?Aas im thinking of having a go.
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

It qualifies you for Trailblazers. It's a series run through the year. 1st rounds start in July I think, if you get 58% or more you qualify for the second round. Then I guess if you get through the second round, you're in the final (which was today) in Stonleigh.

I have another question...in the first round, does *everyone* who gets 58% or more go through to the second round? Or is it just the first, say, 2 in a class?
 
In the first round you have to get over 58%, then send off your qualification card to compete at the second rounds. At the second rounds you have to get placed in the first 6th.
At the finals, on the first day you compete to get in either the championship section by getting placed in the top 10th out of roughly 30, or a consolation class which are run on the second day.
On the first day i got 7th, which i was pleased with, as my only ambition was not to come last! On the second day i came 16th in the championship section, which again i was thrilled with because there was some seriously nice quality horses there!
 
i did novice at the finals this year and i was riding my little 14.2 irish cob in my sig! -we came 3rd on the first day against all the very posh horses! and then 6th in the chamionship! which speaks for itself
tongue.gif


its a very posh looking place but the horses are just your average unaff ones. yes there are some very super looking horses but those are usually the ones who are wound up and go mad in the arena! trust me, you wont look out of place and its great fun. The atmosphere is fantastic and the organisers are so friendly!

go for it!
grin.gif
i may see you there next year!
grin.gif
 
Excellent, thanks. I better get some more local dressage booked to practise!

Oh, and mine will be one of the ones that's wound up and going mad in the warm up... he's hunted all of his life and when I take him hunting, he stands like an old pro, doesn't get wound up and does whatever is asked of him yet going to dressage has the opposite effect and he turns into a shivering bundle of nerves
smirk.gif


Maybe see you next year
grin.gif
 
I went to the finals doing prelim dressage in 06 & 07 on my quite average 14hh pony. We mainly went for the experience and had a great time! The first year as a junior we can 8th but the 2nd year i was a senior and to be honest whilst we still had a good time, we were well out of our league and my little pony just couldn't match the big warmbloods so we finished well down the order.

You should definitely give it a go though as the qualifiers are just like any other dressage competition, the standard is not any higher. Plus i highly recommend going to the final if you can as it's an amazing experience! x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top