Yes these are all good ideas to get kids into dressage but what I am looking for is to get them to take the leap from schooling level into recognized level.
We have great schooling series in the area but they aren’t transferring over into the recognized level.
I saw someone do a reining freestyle to this song and it was epic.
OK, then you have to ask some questions and find out why.
Talk to the trainers who have some kids going to schooling shows. Ask them what the obstacles are. It’s probably financial, frankly. Offer scholarships. Offer a point system for hours spent volunteering at recognized or schooling shows. Essentially pay them towards entry fees.
Call the 4-H leaders and talk to them (I still think you have to start lower in the food chain and get kids into the schooling shows),That is going to be your feeder system to the recognize shows . Ask them what you can do. And also, realize that being serious about dressage On this hemisphere is really not a kids thing. There’s so much competition from the hunter jumper world with a very well established steppingstone process. It’s really a one out of 100 unusual kid who has interest/obsession sparked by dressage.
Thank you these are good ideas. We don’t really have 4H in this area but I think the local stables and pony club is a good place to start.
Would love to know incentives that anyone has used before and been successful.
I’m an adult not a kid but I can tell you that for many of us there simply is no value in leaving the schooling shows to show EC sanctioned. It’s more memberships, paperwork and fees and unless you are advanced enough to be trying to qualify for something like young riders there isn’t really any return on investment IMHO.
Seriously? I love it. Yeah, I’ve got this gorgeous new man in my life - a real hunk. And it’s not my husband. 
And if I can get him going someday I WILL post a video of a dressage test done to that song.
Yeah, I’m with the others. Ask them. My guess if it isn’t the money - cuz there sure is a big difference in cost, then it’s intimidation. There’s a big difference in the warm up at one show versus the other.
I only ever showed recognized and hated the warm up ring.
My local organization here in Oregon has used the incentives that I mentioned. All of them. In the last couple of years they started youth dressage clinics/camps, where instructors either volunteer time or they were paid by our local organization to do a one or two day camp for kids. It was super super super cheap. With scholarships available.
Yeah I really like that idea, it’s definitely on the list.
Let’s really break it down. What is the difference in cost going to a rec show vs schooling?
I’ll find out our fees Vs schooling in the area and post back.
Dumb question, but is there an email list of people who have participated in the past in schooling shows? Perhaps send an email survey so they can give feedback? People may think it’s more expensive and intimidating to show at a different level than it is?
I do like the clinic idea.
If the desire is to get more junior competitors at the recognized shows, I would be that some of the apprehension is finances. I know I was very selective in the how, where and how many classes I invested for my daughter to ride/show in when she was a Junior because I was also showing multiple horses. That being said perhaps there some additional ‘perks’ as it were that could be offered - mini clinics as part of the ‘after show’ specifically for juniors, discounted classes or ways to work off some of those class fees [instead of or in addition to required volunteer hours as many GMOs use as an incentive in order to qualify for awards, at least that’s how our GMO encourages volunteer hours], parties at the show (evening after set up and move in or Saturday evening, presuming a weekend show) that are geared towards Junior participants - raffle for prizes, lessons with local BNT, etc. Does your organization have a Junior ambassador who could reach out and invite more participation?
What about a “star spotter” program? Have people nominate kids competing in schooling shows to receive a scholarship that would include $ towards memberships, mentoring, etc. I’m in NZ and the national federation has this for jumping to get kids to move up from pony club.
Also, separate classes for kids so they don’t have to compete against adults on fancy young horses.
I’m not a kid, but $$ is the reason why I hesitate going recognized. It’s a lot more hubbabaloo for not much more benefit. The reason why I want to is I feel the local shows aren’t competitive enough.
If, and it’s a big if, I show at all in 2023, I might just go hors concours. It’s not about ribbons for me, especially when I’m competing against rank beginners - that’s no fun. I just want to get my horse out and get judge feedback.
Add to that all the cheating and unethical stuff that happens at recognized stuff and I’m just not sure it’s worth it.
I ride because it’s fun, not for ribbons.
I think the hoops for showing recognized in the US as well as the added fees keep many kids and adults at schooling shows.
For me, I would have to register my horse, do Safesport training, and possibly upgrade my membership (not sure if my GMO membership is enough)
Around me, most of the younger kids involved got to schooling shows with combined training tests and the opportunity to jump.
If I was looking to get more kids involved, I would first look for the trainers that work with these kids and ask about their needs.
We do have a JR division. I’m thinking maybe an appearance at the schooling shows to spread the word might be a good idea too.
@MsM I’m in Canada, although things are similar here.
What “cheating and unethical stuff” are you referring to? Tell me, how does one “cheat” at dressage? Who is unethical? That’s a very broad brush you’re painting with.
This came about in a different thread. The “drug fees” paid are a joke, when people are just looking for new ways to duck the rules.
Maybe it’s more prevalent in H/J, I don’t know. When the stakes get higher, people start behaving in ways that are not beneficial to the animals. Rollkur, hyperflexion, being rough on the animals, asking an animal to do things they flat out aren’t built to do, etc. ETA: Drugging horses to robot status so their owners can ride them is a thing in dressage as well - that’s not exclusive to H/J land.
Dressage is not immune. With bigger money comes bigger problems.
Your statement makes no sense…you say the local shows aren’t competitive enough then state it’s not about the ribbons so you may show hors concours.
As for the cheating what’s that all about ? How does one cheat at a recognized show?
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