Wanting to start competing

[babeandbessy]

.....but I have no idea where to start. Possibly start off doing a bit of showing then maybe some dressage and show jumping. Where to start and what could I do with my horses?

My horses..
13hh welsh pony 15 years old my ex pony club games pony
14.3hh new forest 4 nearly 5 year old has a massive jump
22 month old coloured cob
7 month old welsh colt

 

[BusyBee3293]

.....but I have no idea where to start. Possibly start off doing a bit of showing then maybe some dressage and show jumping. Where to start and what could I do with my horses?

My horses..
13hh welsh pony 15 years old my ex pony club games pony
14.3hh new forest 4 nearly 5 year old has a massive jump
22 month old coloured cob
7 month old welsh colt

in hand showing would be great for the youngsters for them to gain experience with the show scene if that is your thing but i personally am not keen on it. there will be local riding clubs that hold shows usually monthly to suit a variety of levels, could start showjumping the new forest, entry fees usually around 8.50 for none members, start at 2ft working up through 2ft3/2ft6 classes to 3ft/3ft3 classes, usually offer a clear round class as well
depending on whether your 13hh is still in work same as above really .

 

[Quantock-cob]

Join your local riding club - they usually do small shows and competitions that will get you started.

 

[Mythical]

.....but I have no idea where to start. Possibly start off doing a bit of showing then maybe some dressage and show jumping. Where to start and what could I do with my horses?

My horses..
13hh welsh pony 15 years old my ex pony club games pony
14.3hh new forest 4 nearly 5 year old has a massive jump
22 month old coloured cob
7 month old welsh colt

What do you want to do?

I started by watching what everyone else was doing. That way I got to find out where my local shows are held and how often and what discipline, who my nearest hunts are and that they also hold dressage and show jumping events. I learned that my nearest 'showing' show is visible from my bedroom window (just about) and I also learned that I'm not keen on showing, but that showjumping looks fun and dressage looks important and that really, I aspire to event, but there's very little in the way of eventing in my area.
Try the websites of your local hunts, riding clubs and pony club branches, see if they have anything. From there youll be able to see what showing classes are available where you are and choose the ones most suitable for your horses (google the class name, if necessary)You don't have to do showing if that's not what you want to do - its not an intro to competitive riding, it's a whole discipline on its own. (and if you're doing it seriously, isn't really compatible with athletic horse sports like show jumping) you can start dressage and SJ at any level you want - from a 6” clear round course or walk and trot dressage test upwards.
Also, see if there's a local equestrian Facebook group you can get involved in.

As for your horses, they probably don't care. My mare is a former BSJA grade B, from what I hear, she was nearly a grade A before her owner got her, but life happened and now she's on loan to me (I still want to know how I ended up with her on full loan) and she still jumps, but she also hacks, does dressage, she's learned a few tricks. There's no chance shell ever be a Grade B show jumper again, she'll probably never even jump a BSJA course again but she's happy enough - I doubt she even knows any different. Shell also never be a light hack. Who cares?