Young horse - first comp. What would you exepct from them?

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Scarlett

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Not enough work for me to be doing in here today - so thought I'd share my Friday morning musings....

I am taking my 4yo Tb, Pinky, to her first dressage party on Sunday, Ive had her since she came out of training in December and havn't done a huge amount of work with her, we have done some schooling and she did take this on board reasonably well - however, my real question is this....

What do you expect from a young horse on its first outing?

I'm not really competative, I enjoy dressage but have no real drive to win, a nice comment on my sheet keeps me happy, although I would eventually like to work up through the levels (mostly because I'd like to be riding and schooling a horse at a higher level as I enjoy it so much) . But could this make me a bit too soft? All I'm looking for on Sunday is for us to enjoy it and come back in one piece. We have schooled at home and she has picked up this contact malarkey rather niceley, but I'm not planning to be asking for this on Sun, just want a nice forward, accurate test to show she is listening to me and not distracted. I don't believe in pushing youngsters, however she is quite well behaved for her age and able to do a wee bit of everything.

The other horse I ride is a stressy 14yo mare who has done nothing, this will be our second time out... First time we bounced round the school in a semi-controlled fashion, and I'll be happy with that again as long as she is not stressed/upset by it all - although she is working beautifully at home.....

Could this be my downfall? Should I aim higher? Or is there no shame in being last if you both have a smile on your faces...?

Thanks!
 
Sounds like you are being very realistic.

For me, 1st outing is just about getting through the whole test (or around the whole course if jumping) with no major disasters (ie. without falling off, leaving the ring or getting eliminated).

Anything more than that is a bonus.
 
I remember the 1st time I took my baby out when he was just 4 to Wix for some dressage and he was soooo scared bless him!!! Those white boards were definitely going to eat him!! I did the whole test in the middle of the arena! The judge was fine though and encouraged me to carry on!
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I dont actually expect a lot for their first show as it is totally new to them so its more about just getting them out and about and used to the atmoshpere.

I usually aim to get round a course without getting eliminated (not bothered about knocks and the odd refusal) but if i did it wouldn't bother me too much. the next time out i would just aim to get a bit further round and so on.

I would much rather my horse be relaxed and enjoying themselves.
 
Thanks all...

I'm glad its not just me that likes to take it easy - have had a few 'comments' from people saying I should be pushing her a bit harder, espacially as she has raced etc and thus is used to going places...

Will continue as we are and try to have a good time....
 

I would just go with a sense of humour! I find it helps keep the situation much calmer for the horse if you laugh if she does something a little silly like spook at something etc.

Simply make the aim to keep it a really settled, chilled out day. When I take a ned to his first dressage thing, I just aim to keep in the arena and get through the test as calmly as possible - couldn't care less what we look like. As long as the horse goes away with a pleasant experience then that's all that matters.
 
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Could this be my downfall? Should I aim higher? Or is there no shame in being last if you both have a smile on your faces...?

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Nope I think you have the perfect attitude
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I have always been exactly the same and always go out to enjoy myself and I ALWAYS smile. That's how I started competing dressage and I was never competitive. However over the yrs as we've improved and done well my ambitions and competitiveness has grown. I'll never be hugely competitive but it is definately something that develops. If you stay relaxed and smile then it doesn't matter where you come...it's just a fun day out
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I took my 4 year old to our first show together last Sunday. He had been to two shows in France and only arrived in the UK 10 days previous. He was a little star. Did get there early to settle him down and jumped him round a British Novice as i knew this wouldn't test him or me to much and if i wanted i could jump from a trot. He went round with a couple down but jumped all the scary fillers and coped with the mirrors etc. That was all i could ask of him. Good luck and i am sure you will be fine!
 
Here, here what a super post.

My youngster enjoyed her 1st party so much, she wouldnt go in the box to come home.

However it wasnt a big deal as she was so well behaved the rest of the day.

Horses are so much work but give so much back so why shouldnt we aim to enjoy it!
 
What ever happens happens!, just go with a true sense of fun. My four year old went to her first show a couple of weeks ago.... not to do anything just for a look see and a bit of exposure. I took her with a more experienced horse so she had some horsey support and blow me after the initial "oooooh" moment she was a total star and went to sleep in the middle of the showground in the sun. She will shortly be doing a walk trot test, so i will be there with tongue firmly in cheek.
 
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What ever happens happens!, just go with a true sense of fun. My four year old went to her first show a couple of weeks ago.... not to do anything just for a look see and a bit of exposure. I took her with a more experienced horse so she had some horsey support and blow me after the initial "oooooh" moment she was a total star and went to sleep in the middle of the showground in the sun. She will shortly be doing a walk trot test, so i will be there with tongue firmly in cheek.

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Thats lovely to hear she was sooooo chilled. Pinky has been to a clinic and didnt give a toss about being away from home etc so not expecting any drama queen moments!

Beginning to really look forward to it...

With so much talk recently of youngsters doing too much to early, jumping too high etc etc its nice to know I'm not the only one who doesnt want mine to grow up to quickly...
 
I just aim for us to have a nice ride, and hope that they behave themselves (as much as can be expected of a baby).

You don't want to put a horse off at a first outing. Keep things as calm as possible, and always remember that if things aren't going right, you can pull out of the class and do your own thing to make it a pleasant experience for them.

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I remember the 1st time I took my baby out when he was just 4 to Wix for some dressage and he was soooo scared bless him!!! Those white boards were definitely going to eat him!! I did the whole test in the middle of the arena! The judge was fine though and encouraged me to carry on!
grin.gif


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I've been there! We got very good at 10m circles by then end (instead of 20m..)
 
I would expect them no to nap, maybe look at something but then accept that it is alright and not to behave like a complete idiot.
 
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