WARMING UP IN DRESSAGE COMPETITIONS

[Birker2020]

Are there any hard and fast rules for warming up prior to a dressage test in an arena/warm up area? Obviously you still pass left hand to left hand but I remember reading somewhere that unlike showjumping warm up you should walk on the inside of the track in the direction you are going so people can canter or trot past you on the outside. Is this correct? I always feel like a fish out of water when I warm up in a dressage arena and always feel I get in people's way even though I don't mean to.

 

[Santa_Claus]

left to left, inside track when walking (i try leave enough room for at least two horses between me and fence but depends on school size!), lateral work takes priority.

thats the main 'rules'

 

[Birker2020]

Thank you. I will feel a bit more confident now x

 

[Sarahdthomas]

It still amazes me that people go to competitons these days and don't consider any one else in the warm up!

BD RULES:

Riding in Collecting Ring or practice areas/arenas

In order to extend courtesy to other riders and to prevent accidents, it is customary to practise the following conduct:

a) Pass left hand to left hand when meeting another rider coming in the opposite direction unless he/she is in counter canter in which case you should give way by circling.
b) Make tack adjustments outside the arena if possible or near the middle of the arena but without obstructing the diagonal or centre lines.
c) Announce that you intend to enter an indoor practice area to avoid an accident.
d) Ensure your whip is not so long that it could upset a passing horse.
e) Do not halt or walk in the outside track but always leave room for other riders to pass.
f) Do not lunge in practice areas without the permission of the Organiser and only if there is sufficient room so as not to cause inconvenience to other riders.
g) Trainers or other pedestrians should not stand in the collecting rings or practice areas/arenas.
h) Riders with impaired vision may wear a white armband whilst warming up as an indication to other riders.

 

[Flicker]

I wish I could add another one:
Don't b*ll*ck your young children in front of all the other adult competitors warming up. It is not big and it is not clever, makes them feel humiliated and everyone else feel uncomfortable, and if you are so great and they are so crap, why are you not out on the horse doing it yourself??!!

 

[luckyhorseshoe]

oh and avoid those with red ribbons....surprising how many that don't!

 

[spookypony]

I find it hard to mind-read if somebody is going to go do a schooling figure or just a plain circle.

E.g. you're on the right rein, trying to pass left-left someone who is on the left rein, and then you suddenly realise they were planning to start a circle just as you're about to pass.

Or, conversely, you're on the left rein but have moved to the inside to make a circle without colliding with someone on the right rein, and they in turn move FURTHER to the inside to pass left-left with you, resulting in yet another entanglement.

ARGH! How to avoid this? I feel like such an idiot every time it happens.

 

[Mari]

I too can add another rule - don't wallop your horse with a whip or scream abuse at it. I don't do this to my horse & he gets VERY upset if a horse near him gets treated like this.

 

[luckyhorseshoe]

[ QUOTE ]
I find it hard to mind-read if somebody is going to go do a schooling figure or just a plain circle.

E.g. you're on the right rein, trying to pass left-left someone who is on the left rein, and then you suddenly realise they were planning to start a circle just as you're about to pass.

Or, conversely, you're on the left rein but have moved to the inside to make a circle without colliding with someone on the right rein, and they in turn move FURTHER to the inside to pass left-left with you, resulting in yet another entanglement.

ARGH! How to avoid this? I feel like such an idiot every time it happens.

[/ QUOTE ]

yep thats me too...thought i was the only one!

 

[NikkiF]

.............and can I just add one more? If you want to stand and chat to your friend, please move outside the warmup arena!

I get fed up having to move around horses planted on the track

 

[jcberry]

i used to try and get out of the way of people constantly, but i found that i got in the way more, byt trying to get out of their way. i just generally watch my space, left to elft if your doing slower pace i always got told you were on the inside, eg walk.