what dressage score would you be proud of? also aff/unaff - do they differ?

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eva

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As above really :) we did our fourth ever test today - affiliated Prelim 14, got 59.58%, I wonder if it is generally a poopy score or is it ok-ish? did the same test yesterday at unaffiliated and got 61.66% despite the fact that today we have really done better because yesterday he was too tense! Is it as a rule that you'd get higher marks in unaff rather than aff, does anyone know?
 
Well done for today! I would be happy with that score - did you also get some helpful comments on the bottom of the sheet? I keep a folder with all my sheets in, so that I can go back over them periodically and see if we are improving with our comments, and what things I need to work on more.

I am usually happy when I get 60% or more - well that was with my mare, but I am planning on taking my 4yo out for the first time next weekend, so am expecting to get very very much lower scores!!! :)

The one BD test I have done in recent years, I got pretty much identical scoring as I got unaff - however, all the judges I have ridden in front of recently have been BD judges anyway - so I would hope the scores should be about the same, if my horse is going as well on each outing.

I think in years gone by there was probably more of a difference in scoring between aff & unaff - but TBH I think there is not a lot of difference in it now, as people who are riding unaff are expecting more from their competitions, and so this has brought the judging in line - which is as it should be IMO. Well it seems to be like this at the venues I go to anyway. :)
 
I think it depends completely on the horse you are riding. If it is a young/green horse then obviously you wouldn't expect a mega score but would be pleased that they had (hopefully!) listened + behaved in a new environment. I think most people will compare their score with a previous one - I would always be pleased to have improved by a couple of % even if I was bottom of the class! I tend to be quite hard on myself and am a bit of a perfectionist so I am proud when I get 65% +. BUT there is a big difference for me in being absolutely thrilled with how the horse went (even if they got 45%!) and being proud of myself as a rider! So it depends what you are asking really - but essentially, for me, it depends! For a 4th test it sounds like you did well. As long as you are pleased with your horse that's all that matters! I'm sure you've got some good feedback to work on for next time too. :)
 
thanks, we've tried hard. I really love reading the bottom of the sheet! Two judges have commented that my boy is "a horse with great potential" which I'm chuffed at :D really, getting that sheet is the most exciting part! especially if there's a rozette attached to it :) what would be a score at which you'd think "right, I have to move on to the next level!"?
 
It wouldn't necessarily be a score that makes me think that I should move on to the next level - but I usually aim to be working on the level above when I am schooling at home, so when we are able to happily carry out the movements for the next level, then I would want to move up. Which in turn, would also mean that I would want to be getting consistent scores at the level I have been competing at.
 
Well done!

In my opinion, if you're constantly getting in the 60s then you should be thinking of moving up, and definately over 65%. Once you get 70s+ you are a bit of a pot hunter! Thats just me - I like to push myself, and move up. Many people do stay at levels where they should not be.
 
interesting opinions, thanks everyone! my horse is 5 yo and still not completely straight through turns, so we might hang on at Prelim for few months. I strangely find that Prelim is easier to do than Intro!
 
you know what, Prelim 10 is bloody complicated! I have now got my eyes on Prelim 13, it seems much more logical&symmetrical. it's funny how each test is different and some more advanced are actually easier to do&remember than bloody Intro B for example :/
 
awww, bless you! I nearly fainted when I realised we got 3rd place in our first ever (both horsey's and mine) competition last month :) and there was a big fat ROZETTE stamped to the sheet!!! amazing how such a silly little piece of cardboard and plastic can make one weak in the knees :)
 
well it was "only" Intro A - but it was hard work too :) and also loads of fun, I'm properly hooked on competing now, will try and do it twice a month! which i just as well because we're at Patchetts where it all happens, yaaay :)
 
2bh i am happy when dancer gets anhy higher than we have done so far :P Generally 60% plus makes me happy and if we are ever to get 65% plus i would be very happy!! :P
 
I started competing my youngster in Dressage this year and we got 67% in our first ever Unaffiliated Prelim and came 4th! :D So I was very pleased! We have since competed 3 more times at Unaffiliated Prelim scoring consistently in the 60s and we won our last competition - Prelim 4 with 65.9%! I'll probably do a couple more Prelims and if they go well we'll be moving up to Novice.

My other boy generally scores late 50s/early 60s on a good day at Unaffiliated Prelim Level. But he hates doing Dressage and would much rather be hunting! However, I am pleased if we manage to complete the test without having a tantrum halfway round (which usually involves a grunt and a buck!) :rolleyes:

I took a 4 year old to his first ever Prelim competition this summer and we got 53% and I was really pleased with him. :)

I think it depends on the individual horse though.
 
I spent years with a pony with dyer confirmation getting 48-49% anything over 50% was amazing!! (dunno why we bothered... :rolleyes:)
Then I got my boy as a youngster and spent 4years being eliminated and struggling to get over 55% because he was so excitable.
So now anything over 58% to me is satisfactory :-) think it depends on the level of your horse, and experience at that level :-)
 
Oh I was there yesterday.

First ever show and he was so excited and bounced round the warm up neighing constantly - don't think he has ever seen so many horses in one place.

Got 54 % but to be honest I was focusing on trying to keep him relaxed and not really pushing for too much. Just pleased with how he coped with his first day out and will ask for more next time.
 
criso, next time you're at Patchetts come visit us :) my horse's name is Benito :)

I told my instructor that we got 59 and 61 and he said he's a bit disappointed! Actually so am I. My horse can be wonderful in the school, but when it's competition time I think he picks up on the general atmosphere of excitement and is way too interested in checking out all the new horseys around... he's 5 mind you... very hard to get him to concentrate in the warmup :( didn't help that the judge missed 2 of our movements altogether :(

now 65% and over is really something to be proud of, well done jack9 and SJ superstars!
If only I could get my horse to relax and concentrate :(
 
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