I only go to schooling shows right now and i signed up for one and when i got my times i was kind-a upset…heres why.... I had signed up for Intro 1&2 and Training 1. OK this horse is young and inexperienced. I had to do my training test first then wait 2 hourse to do my intro test then 2 more hourse for my other intro test. I was upset that they put my training test first...this is how it ended up: we came in the ring at the training test...shyed at teh judges box, then did half circles and leg yeilded (something we havent even worked on), and then he tried to jump out of the ring. It was the worst test of my life!!! Are all shows scheduled like this?? (i don`t wanna sound like a brat-i guess i was just worried about my horse)
Heather and Sequel
I’ve had exactly the same experience at almost every recognized show I have been to in the past three years. The hardest test (including my first attempt at a new level) is always the first one. I’m not trying to be a brat either but when the maximum concentration on the part of the horse (because of the most difficult test) is coupled with the distractions of new surroundings, I feel like it is setting my horse up to not do well. I wonder what the reasoning behind this common practice is?
i don’t agree. you can’t ALWAYS expect everyone to move things around just for you. you can REQUEST - they will if they can. do not ‘‘inform them it won’t work for you’’ - say, ‘‘can you help me? i’ve got a young horse that is difficult. can i ride my tests back to back?’’ but DON’T expect them to switch EVERYTHING for you.
i’m going to say something that will be unpopular. you are not ENTITLED to do well at a show, and no one is required to change everything for your benefit. many, many of us have ridden many, many bad rides and bad tests…and we have survived it and that’s all just part of developing as a rider.
you entered a test doing things that you hadn’t worked on, as you put it - why? you mean for weeks before, or not in the warmup? you should plan the warmup better.
chalk the bad ride up to experience and get on with your riding…and don’t, people, feel you’re entitled to have everything changed for you. if it can be, fine, if not…COPE.
a lady did ride 1st, 2nd, 3rd in one show. it was a recognized show. in certain classes, you can’t do that. but this lady did it. she was terrified of her horse and thought if she got him tired out, she’d get a good score in the third level test, which she wanted to let us all know she was doing so well at.
but i still don’t get it. why ride 2 tests a day? i’ve never done that, even with baby lunatic where’s-the-steering horses.
i just watched my girlfriend ride 2 tests at a show, and i am sitting there going, why do it, the second test is always awful. just dead.
[This message has been edited by slc (edited 08-29-2000).]
[This message has been edited by slc (edited 08-29-2000).]
Slc, my old schoolmaster would spook in an absolutly PERFECT “leg yield” LOL! Maybe that’s 'cause the old codger was GP… I don’t know, I think that Napolean may have ridden him though, he WAS pretty old LOL! (Do you remember the old USDF board that thing about how to interpret sale ads for horses, well, under the definition of “Schoolmaster” it was “Too old to move”. Pretty much explained the now retired Nikki!
I’m impressed, SLC, but a friend of mine has got all of us beat (well, unless you can honestly top this) – she was riding a dressage test in OK or TX or one of those other states somewhere off in the distance when an Air Force jet flew over at a VERY low altitude, inverted, with the afterburners on. Her horse quickly and unceremoniously excused himself from the arena.
Around here, schooling shows usually schedule sequentially if there is only one ring. So you are a lot more likely to get your times closer together and with the “easiest” test first. Of course, they are mostly training level and intro so even sequential test can be a long way apart!
Schedules at multi-ring shows, especially recognized shows get a little more bizarre. They need to accomodate lots of different people and issues such as getting sequential tests with different judges (always a wish of exhibitors!) At one show I had training 4 at 8:20 and training 3 at 3:40! At least you know before you arrive and can decide (especially if you have signed up for three classes) to scratch one that is too late or too early, or you can inquire about scratches and offer to fill slots. Hey, you wanted your horse to get comfortable in a show atmosphere! 
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by slc:
you entered a test doing things that you hadn’t worked on, as you put it - why? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I THINK that was supposed to be a humerous description of her horse’s evasive maneuvers.
Leg yield is NOT asked for in Tr1.
This is going to sound harsh, I know, but before any competitor spends much more time whining, I urge you to volunteer at a show as a scorer to see what it’s like to get scores out quickly (and accurately), volunteer as a ring steward to see what a mess it is when people don’t show up on time, volunteer as a scribe to see how physically uncomfortable it is to sit in extreme heat (or cold) for hours on end, etc. etc. etc. At the majority of shows, all of these people are VOLUNTEERING their time and effort. I was guilty of whining in the past, but now that I’ve been on the other side, my attitude has changed considerably. You can’t believe the amount of effort and planning it takes to run a show smoothly. It only takes one or two “difficult” people to upset the balance. And this ultimately impacts the competitor as we find it more and more difficult to find volunteers because they’ve been mistreated by competitors at shows. As you can see, this is a big pet peeve of mine.
As a competitor and show manager, I have to agree that riding out of scheduled order is something that you should be prepared to deal with if you’re going to show. I run 2 ring shows-the second ring is all intro tests, because we only have room for a small arena, and Training Level and up riders always want to be in a standard arena. So I have about 3 hours worth of rides in the small arena, and a full day in the standard arena. There is no way that I can schedule everyone in sequential order, unless they ride out of order for their class and someone waits several hours for a class to be posted. Don’t forget, it’s not just intro tests-other people want to do Training before First, etc. If you do have a scheduling request (for a good reason, not “I don’t want to get up early”-don’t laugh, I’ve gotten those), it’s very helpful to the organizer if you include a note with your EARLY entry. There is not a lot I can do when you want me to change your times the night before the show, when all the other competitors have already gotten theirs. Just my 2 cents.
Suzy, that sounds like the Pony Club unrated/D dressage rally in Annapolis a few years ago. The Blue Angels were practicing for their Naval Academy graduation performance and the whole squad swooped over the pony club grounds so low you could see the pilots in the cockpits. Fortunately, the kids were taking their written tests, but there was chaos in the stabling area and four horses headed down the lane for the road. After a few phone calls determined they weren’t going to stop, the rally ended.
When I was showing, I often had to show the hardest test first. While it’s frustrating, you get used to it and learn how to cope. You need to learn to structure your warmup accordingly. A schooling show MAY change your times for you but don’t count on a recognized show doing that. There are too many people at a recognized show and if they change times for one person they have to do it for everyone that asks. That is not feasible. I’m only trying to be realistic and not pessimistic.
Carie
I don’t think anyone is either whining or angry about not winning ribbons in any of the above discussions- that certainly wasn’t my point. I really do not see the problem with entering a horse in a test one level lower than he is showing as a confidence builder. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I do show a level (at least) lower than I school but that does not negate the fact that the harder tests are harder. My aim is to have my horse happy and confident and I take great care in preparing for shows with that as a priority. I completely understand the difficulty involved in schedueling dressage shows. As I said, sometimes you get to use a class as a confidence builder, sometimes you don’t. However, I am always grateful for the opportunity to give my horse a show day with progressive difficulty- because after all, isn’t that what dressage is all about? I just think that the logical progression of training should not be thrown to the wayside just because I go to a horse show.
About riding two tests per day – I almost always ride two tests (lower level) per day. There is absolutely no reason that it should be a problem as long as you don’t warm your horse up for too long. This is a frequent mistake I see made even by people only riding one test. Remember, the lower level tests are only about 5-6 minutes in length. If you do a 20 minute warm-up for your first test, ride 6 minutes, do a 10 minute warm-up for your second test, and ride 6 minutes, you have ridden your horse a total of 42 minutes in one day. Fourth level and the FEI levels, on the other hand, are very demanding and one test per day is plenty.
EVERY competitor should have to work at least one recognized show. And that would not even give you a taste of what goes into putting on a horse show.
Being a show secretary is a THANKLESS job. Not only do they have to work out the scheduling, but usually, they have to do the stall charts, bedding requests, deal with scratches and get the info to the judges, get the scribes set up and to their positions with all the accurate tests, answer endless questions, answer a phone if there is one, check all the entry forms for correctness, Now there’s a novel thought a correctly filled out entry form. Do you know how many are not correctly filled out. A LOT!!! Make sure the accounting is correct. Then they have to deal with the AHSA or FEI or the drug tester, the TD who checks everything and finds the mistakes… oh the list goes on and on.
There is software available now to help the poor bedragled show secretary, however, not all shows can afford computers or software so then all this scheduling has to be done by HAND. And all this and more is usually done by a volunteer. And not just at the show. A show secretaries job does not begin and end at the show, countless hours are put in before and after the show.
Everyone who shows should volunteer. Scheduling is a bear. Go be a ring steward and see how the competitors muck up the works.
I don’t mean for this post to be critical of the original poster. It’s just a general Volunteer to be a Volunteer kinda thing.
The upside of volunteering is you meet a lot of really cool people!!! 
They canceled for a little thing like the Blue Angels? Wimps! Actually I used to board with several wives of Blue Angels and the guys used to low fly us and wag their wings all the time when we were riding (this was in Pensacola, FL where they are stationed). After the first time or two the horses never looked twice. I realized this was very good training for my mare a couple of weeks ago when in the middle of my dressage test at an event an incredibly loud plane goes over and drops off a group of sky divers who landed about 200 yards away right next to the x-country course. My mare couldn’t have cared less and ignored the chaos around us as other horses “less in the know” reacted to the site of these big things falling from the sky .
I am glad i am not the only one this happens too!!! that makes me feel better!!
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Callie:
However, I am always grateful for the opportunity to give my horse a show day with progressive difficulty- because after all, isn’t that what dressage is all about? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yes, and progressive difficulty is NOT the order of the classes. It is the fact that you are pushing your horse to the next level at a show…to see how he compares to others at that level.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Callie:
I just think that the logical progression of training should not be thrown to the wayside just because I go to a horse show. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
What is being thrown away? Training takes place AT HOME. Not in the ring. The logical progression is at home. The point of showing is to compete with other horses of the same caliber as your own and see which one is better on that day.
No one needed to mention ribbons out here. If you were in a class and had a difficulty the problem was in your expectations at the show. Since it wasn’t stated that the horse was ridden for schooling and not for ribbons, what else is there to be disappointed in? You wouldn’t have problems with the schedule. You would go in for experience and not worry about throwing your money away, or making a fool of yourself in front of the judge, et al.
A show, is a show, is a show. Schooling takes place at home. If you want to give your horse experience in a strange arena, pay to rent it for an hour. It costs less than a show and affords you more time to educate your horse. Then go to a schooling show WITHOUT entering a class and let him wander around the grounds and figure things out. After classes are over you can usually go and practice in the ring for a bit (as long as there aren’t classes the next day)–and the fee is minimal. Next, take him in a couple of walk trots, or training level classes…without riding for a ribbon.
Finally, go to a schooling or recognized show (depending on how much you want to spend) and compete.
It IS whining to be upset with how a show is organized because it doesn’t fit YOUR training schedule. It is your responsibility to compete and ride the classes you requested, no matter the order, without complaint. That is what being a good sport is about. You are there for the show and socializing, all the rest is just what happens…like it does everywhere else in life. It’s only one day or one weekend out of your life. Whatever…
I don’t see a problem riding in more than one test, either. I usually have the same level of energy in both rides. I adjust my warm ups and my horses are in great shape.
Not everyone needs only one ride. I can see at GP and doing the Special. THAT would be super tough. But doing a 4th level test and PSG is doable…as long as you have some time in between. If not, I would just scratch. Usually they’ll try and spread those classes out to morning and then afternoon so they have more exciting classes between all of the lower level rides so it’s not an issue.
SgtSequel,
I’m sorry you didn’t have the show experience you were hoping for, it’s frustrating from both your perspective and the show managers perspective.
As a show manager, I REALLY want ALL competitors to have a great show and I will do everything within my power to make that happen. As a competitor though, it is appropriate to realize that YOU make the final decision about your horse. If you don’t like the order your classes are scheduled in - scratch and make sure to tell the show manager why you are scratching. If you don’t like the footing - scratch and make sure you tell the show manager why, ETC…
There are a lot of “creative” things a show manager can do to accomodate peoples special requests but I think the competitor must assess the importance of the request. I had someone call me at 10pm 2 nights before the show and asked for a later ride time because she needed time in the morning to braid her horse!!! Are you kidding me??? So as a show manager I should move 10 other riders because you can’t get up early enough to braid your horse - AAAHHHH!!! That is NOT a legitimate request.
I agree that the BEST scheduling method is to do the test in order but unfortunately that is not always possible. I recently attended a “schooling show” where the manager (who had never even BEEN to a dressage show much less run one) decided it would be fun to “mix it up”. She scheduled rides at random, there were no classes, so the first ride of the day was a Tr-1 ride followed by a 2nd-2 ride, followed by a Tr-3 ride, etc… WHAT A MESS!!! and the judge was ready to pull her hair out.
