Waiting Times in between Dressge Tests

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disco

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I compete regularly at various unaff dressage venues and normally book in to do 2 tests. In my experience I would say that it's fairly normal to be given an approximate waiting time between tests of around an hour.
Last Sunday, I'd entered 2 dressage tests at a new venue to me and my times had a 2 1/2 hour wait in between tests! On receiving my times I wasn't over joyed at the wait and decided to make a decision to withdraw or not once I was there.
There was approximatley 20 in each test, the weather was absolutley stifling and after warming up and completing my 1st test my horse was lathered and dripping in sweat. I decided to withdraw from my 2nd test as it would not of been fair to expect her to be tied to the trailer in the heat of the sun for a further 2 1/2 hours and then take her in again.
What do you consider to be an acceptable waiting time in between tests?
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I would expect about an hour but today at Addington BD I had about 15 minutes between tests. I am so glad it wasn't baking as my horse ended up being ridden for about 1 1/4 hours solid. She was quite tired by the end of my second test.
 
Ah yes eventing you can have some long waits, I had a 4 hour wait one day at Aston le Walls and it rained non stop in that 4 hours!!

I agree with Lottie especially if there is only one arena and the classes are large. I personally don't mind the waits.
 
I think it depends on the circumstances as to whether it was unfair or not. If you were in two consecutive tests and they put you first to go in the first one and towards the end of the last one, then that does seem rather unfair and perhaps down to bad planning. However, if the tests you chose were not consecutive then it is much harder for the organiser to keep your times close together, as they have to try and please lots of people with lots of different requests for times, plus have to cater for those with more than one horse as well. I have had to do the times for a big dressage competition and it was quite challenging to try and please all of the competitors!
 
yep it really doesn't bother me having to wait in-between, you accept it and put up with it... unless I really need to get back home for something or other, but you can usually take the assumption that if you're eventing you'll be out allll day.
 
Thanks guys for your comments!
My tests were 2 prelims on from each other. Had the weather not of been as hot and my horse wasn't so affected by it I quite possibly would of stayed but as it was it was best to withdraw. That was the longest wait I'd ever had with Dressage!
I Evented my previous horse last year and I know in Eventing not to be surprised to wait up to 4 hours or even longer but I was extremely lucky and was always given brilliant times that followed on lovely!
Thanks again!
 
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