I’ve been riding for almost 5 years and I still haven’t gone to a dressage show. Does anyone have any tips for me to impress my teacher or get into a show?
Does your instructor know you want to go in a show? You might assume it’s the next logical step, but she might not think that way. How about, at your next lesson, say "I’d like to try a dressage show sometime" and see what she says. There are so many different level tests, that there is sure to be a class appropriate for you to enter.
May 5th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Braided mane and tail shows respect for the judge.
Relax and just breath.
References :
May 5th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Does your instructor know you want to go in a show? You might assume it’s the next logical step, but she might not think that way. How about, at your next lesson, say "I’d like to try a dressage show sometime" and see what she says. There are so many different level tests, that there is sure to be a class appropriate for you to enter.
References :
May 5th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Your instructor should be teaching you towards showing. If she is not, maybe your instructor is not the right one for you. 5 years of riding and not showing is a long time. There are so many classes offered, even in dressage, that you don’t need to be an accomplished rider to show.
For your first show, you would not probably want to be looking at doing a USDF 3 day show, which would probably run you about $600 between entry fees, stall fees, and association fees. Look for a local/open dressage show. You’ll spend about $20-$30 and go for an hour or two and show in one or 2 classes.
Intro level is a walk/trot test, there are 2 tests, and they are the ideal starting point for the first time shower. Just learn to memorize the tests, and make sure you are doing the correct tests!!!
I went to a show once and was riding out the wrong test. Ooops. Right now, they are using 2007 tests. Those will be good until the end of next year, I think. So get yourself the 2007 intro A & B test and learn it, find a local open show and talk to your instructor, or just go yourself and have fun.
References :
May 5th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I agree with the others, and would like to add, have you begun practicing any dressage tests? You can look them up online here http://www.dressageamerica.com/training_test_1_new_07.htm or if you feel you’d rather just do walk trot and not canter in your first show you can look up Intro test A and Intro test B which are just walk trot. If you’re unsure how to go about asking to be in a show, you could just start practicing the tests and then in your next lesson you could say "I’ve been practicing training level test one and I was wondering if you could watch me do it and give me some pointers from a judging perspective" or something like that. That will clue your instructor in that you’ve got show goals and aren’t just out there messing around.
References :
May 5th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
You simply dress as you want.
Whatever suits you would be good for you.
References :
http://www.conanobrienshow.info/