Will I look a fool?

[Ceifer]

I really want to get out and compete (dressage). We haven’t been out all winter due to rider injury. It’s a new partnership and although we have been out and about training we have not competed. Horse has competed to Adv medium and ideally I wanted to do an elementary and medium HC unaffiliated to get going especially as my horses last owner did say that the first competition out after he’s not been out for a while will probably not be our best - this is his only quirk and once you get into the rhythm of competing he will settle.

I can’t find anything local that I can get to within the next month at Elementary upwards but there is a friendly low key dressage competition but they're only going up to Novice.
If I enter HC will I look an utter fool?
Bearing in mind it’s my first competition in a long time. Horses first one in 7 months and first with me (and I will have horrendous competition nerves) It will probably be one to chalk up to experience anyway. It’s the last class on and they don’t have many entries so maybe less people tutting

 

[Barton Bounty]

If I were you Id just do A class, just to get you both back into it.

 

[tda]

Go for it

 

[Red-1]

You may look a fool if he broncs you off but not for entering a lower class HC.

We need photos/video and a competition report!!!

 

[Ceifer]

You may look a fool if he broncs you off but not for entering a lower class HC.

We need photos/video and a competition report!!!

well hopefully not. But he does get very excited, although he’s polite enough not to do it in the warm up and p*ss everyone off, once he’s in the arena apparently it’s a different ball game. But once he’s been out a couple of times he’s fine.

 

[eahotson]

Go for a simple test at a lower level than you would normally do then the nerves won't be as bad and you can work on that

 

[SEL]

What are you worried about? I've entered HC on a horse where I wasn't sure if we'd manage getting down the centre line! Pleasantly surprised as it happened but he did start to boil over by the end.

 

[Ceifer]

What are you worried about? I've entered HC on a horse where I wasn't sure if we'd manage getting down the centre line! Pleasantly surprised as it happened but he did start to boil over by the end.

That I’ll look like a muppet on a horse that’s clearly gone above novice

 

[blitznbobs]

Deleted

 

[Julia0803]

I think it’s a perfectly sensible idea. And going HC at a local UA means you won’t upset anyone if it does go very well and you score highly.

Good luck

 

[humblepie]

That I’ll look like a muppet on a horse that’s clearly gone above novice

No issue at all as HC. its a sensible idea.

 

[Red-1]

That I’ll look like a muppet on a horse that’s clearly gone above novice

Who cares what anyone thinks. They will simply be either admiring you for looking beautiful or admiring you for riding the snorting beast, either way, they will be admiring you. Well, I would anyway.

I have often dropped a class and gone HC, right down to an Intro dressage for my overwrought mare on her first outing, so we didn't have to canter and she was competing at Novice BE, plus had points BD. Once she'd done a couple of outings she would reinstate brain and we could compete in the correct class!

 

[Ceifer]

Who cares what anyone thinks. They will simply be either admiring you for looking beautiful or admiring you for riding the snorting beast, either way, they will be admiring you. Well, I would anyway.

I have often dropped a class and gone HC, right down to an Intro dressage for my overwrought mare on her first outing, so we didn't have to canter and she was competing at Novice BE, plus had points BD. Once she'd done a couple of outings she would reinstate brain and we could compete in the correct class!

That makes me feel a lot better . Thank you

 

[Red-1]

That makes me feel a lot better . Thank you

Don't forget the photos and competition report!

 

[Nari]

Sounds good to me, the whole point of having HC entries is so people an do what you want to. Go and enjoy it, you've taken the pressure off and that in itself can often improve marks but if it doesn't at least you can have a laugh about him being a prat.

 

[w1bbler]

I've usually found fellow competitors supportive & not wanting to make you look an idiot ( unless you are an arrogant t**t).
If your horse does brilliantly then others will be glad you are hc. If your horse acts up & things go wrong they will most likely understand why you are doing a lower level than normal.
Go & have fun.

 

[thefarsideofthefield]

My experience of local level dressage is that there are very few spectators and the other riders are too busy concentrating on their own horses to watch anyone else !
You have as much right as anyone else to be there . Just go and enjoy it !

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

Nah, just go for it! I've had many embarrassing competitions!

 

[ponynutz]

I have horrendous fear of cocking up and looking a fool but what always helps me is knowing that everyone has had a bad round/test and will not be laughing but wishing they had the confidence you do to keep going anyway.

 

[saalsk]

Everyone has bad days, and if you don't try, you won't know. No one is going to laugh, as they all have been there and done it.

I took my first pony - a lovely arab welsh cross mare, friendly, hacked alone, forward but steady, enough oommpphh to make a teenager happy, not enough to make the teenagers parents scared... to a combined training PC event. Warmed up fine. Went down centre line in something akin to *airs above the ground* courtesy of the Spanish Riding School. The rest of the test went about the same. We did a Crufts level weave pole version of jumping in and out of the arena over the dressage boards, and according to my Dad, seemed to canter backwards at one point. The judge, in her car, was laughing so much she leaned on her clipboard on the steering wheel, and sounded the horn by accident, at which point, we did a fabulous canter pirourette, years before they were the *thing to do* and double barrelled her car, taking out her headlights. I didn't do any sort of salute, as I dare not take my hand off the reins. I have the score card framed and on display in the house. This was 35 years ago. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can ever be that bad, and it has made me realise that it really didn't matter. I survived, I did better afterwards, and as low points rank, it was stylish, if nothing else !

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My theory is don't wait, go and enjoy. The horse could be lame tomorrow. Good luck!!

 

[Fjord]

That's what HC is for! Go for it!

 

[rara007]

No

 

[Ratface]

My old Arabian decided that he was bored with walk/trot transitions, gave the most enormous buck, dumped me and exited the ring at flat-out gallop! Everyone was so busy laughing that no one bothered to find out if I was still in one piece! Horse was found grazing placidly at the edge of the show ground and I had concussion but got back on anyway, as I was taught that if one didn't, one would lose one's nerve!

 

[Polos Mum]

That I’ll look like a muppet on a horse that’s clearly gone above novice

I had an event horse that had competed at Burghley - I entered HC at local riding club 60-70 cms SJ for ages as I couldn't ride one side of him ! A few people had a raised eyebrow but soon shut up when I offered for them to ride him.

Stepping down several levels while you get to know each other is totally fine and should be encouraged - going out week after week to wipe the floor with everyone is not (but that's not what you're planning).

Smile, have fun and ignore idiots who are perfect from their arm chairs / side of the ring

 

[QuantockHills]

I really want to get out and compete (dressage). We haven’t been out all winter due to rider injury. It’s a new partnership and although we have been out and about training we have not competed. Horse has competed to Adv medium and ideally I wanted to do an elementary and medium HC unaffiliated to get going especially as my horses last owner did say that the first competition out after he’s not been out for a while will probably not be our best - this is his only quirk and once you get into the rhythm of competing he will settle.

I can’t find anything local that I can get to within the next month at Elementary upwards but there is a friendly low key dressage competition but they're only going up to Novice.
If I enter HC will I look an utter fool?
Bearing in mind it’s my first competition in a long time. Horses first one in 7 months and first with me (and I will have horrendous competition nerves) It will probably be one to chalk up to experience anyway. It’s the last class on and they don’t have many entries so maybe less people tutting

I think you're in my neck of the woods aren't you.. ? My riding club runs monthly dressage competitions at Cannington... we have 2 novice classes each month and also a PYO Elementary I think? You would be very welcome to come and compete with us, HC if it makes you feel better? We have a couple of riders who are competing at PSG etc and regularly bring their young horses. check out our new website for all the details poldens and bridgwater riding club. we are a very friendly club, please don't be put off coming.

 

[QuantockHills]

That I’ll look like a muppet on a horse that’s clearly gone above novice

not with my riding club you wont, we welcome everyone, whatever level!

 

[SEL]

That I’ll look like a muppet on a horse that’s clearly gone above novice

I loaned a warmblood who had earned his previous owners a fair amount of money showjumping before he'd needed to step back. Personally I found riding him round 3 foot unaffliated at our local show more than sufficient and no one minded because he turned into a snorting, fire breathing dragon and I usually had brake failure somewhere round the course. One of the liveries who was a fairly serious eventer had a pop on him and said that once was enough (in hindsight I suspect he had KS but I don't think we even knew what that was then)

There are always bitchy people in the horse world but HC isn't taking a rosette away from anyone so even if you have the best test of the day then no one can moan and you'll just be ticking all those confidence boxes.

 

[Ceifer]

I think you're in my neck of the woods aren't you.. ? My riding club runs monthly dressage competitions at Cannington... we have 2 novice classes each month and also a PYO Elementary I think? You would be very welcome to come and compete with us, HC if it makes you feel better? We have a couple of riders who are competing at PSG etc and regularly bring their young horses. check out our new website for all the details poldens and bridgwater riding club. we are a very friendly club, please don't be put off coming.

I used to be. We moved about 3 years ago. Thanks though

 

[Penguin_Toes]

Whenever I see someone riding HC I always think that they are a proper horseperson who is preparing their horse thoroughly and is above all the fripperies of competing. If I even notice!