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Going to my first recognized show.. what do I need to know?

Dressage
#1

I’m so excited to be entering my first recognized dressage show. I feel like I’ve joined every horse organization on the planet, paid a million membership fees for me and my horse, did Safe Sport training and finally clicked “submit” on Equestrian Entries !

I have a “real dressage” trainer I just started working with but I don’t want to ask a million stupid questions so I’m trying to do as much research as I can. I realized at my schooling show this weekend I had no idea which side of the bridle my numbers goes on… so there’s that. face palm

What are your tips and tricks for showing? What did you wish you knew before your first show? How can I make this as enjoyable for me and my horse? (he’s a school master so thankfully the riding part is the least of my worries! and I just want to learn and grow not win).

Do I have to clip his ears and muzzle? He lives at home and is outside almost 24/7

Also… I have to ask… how do I keep my white breeches clean until I ride, I put sweat pants over them this weekend but what if it’s crazy hot? … can you tell how out of my league I am! I just added a photo from our "dress rehearsal " this past weekend.

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#2

Yay! Try not to stress too much. It’s all supposed to be fun. No, you don’t have to clip ears or muzzle. Most people clip the bridle path and braid the mane and forelock. Almost no one braids the tail.

You wear something over your breeches until you get on. I like the Rip Skirts because they velcro at the waist, but a pair of track pants with snaps up the legs works well too.

Make sure all of your tack is legal, and you don’t try to use boots or wraps in the ring.

2 Likes
#3

Congratulations on taking the plunge!

Be sure your bit is legal, and be sure your whip is not too long. Know the rules!

You do not have to clip. I never clip muzzles (in fact, it’s against the law in some European countries), and only take off the sticky-outy hairs from ears to neaten them up, but that is not necessary either.

Do you have a long apron? Tie that on to protect your white breeches.

Don’t be afraid to ask your trainer questions. That’s part of what you pay for. I’m sure your trainer would rather answer questions now than have you be flailing about at the show.

Good luck, and have fun!

4 Likes
#4

I just did my first rated show a bit over a month ago so I totally understand the nerves. I changed in the trailer before getting on, but next time will just wear my show clothes with sweats and a zip up hoodie over the top since it felt like a waste of time to change and then my trainer and husband had to deal with my horse during said process. I saw a ton of people using long skirts to keep their breeches clean which seemed kind of weird but did seem to do the job and allow decent mobility.
Be prepared to have your bit and whip checked after your ride. Also make sure you bring food at least as a back up. I just assumed we would buy food from a truck there and their food vendor cancelled and my poor husband/groom was pretty hangry by the time we rolled out of the show grounds. And remember that it’s for fun and experience no matter what happens. My horse jumped into the court while spooking in the warm up lap, then fell out of the court during my first test. I thought I would be mortified but honestly I was so proud of how well he took the whole experience in as a green bean (who in his defense had never been in a real dressage court) that I was able to laugh it off and come back for my second test. For this reason I would recommend doing at least 2 tests so if one is a disaster you can have another shot at a decent ride.

3 Likes
#5

Doing a dress rehearsal was a brilliant plan. Knowing how you fit in your “show equipment” is one major component that a lot of people forget.

RE: clipping - I always did bridlepath and then would fold the ears over & trim off the excess. Didn’t bother with a close shave, no one seemed to mind. Likewise, whiskers. I would clip some goat hairs under the chin if they were super long (and tidy up feathering) but that again, was a minimal thing. I did braid for all of my registered shows, though. (I do my own braids, but it is not hard to arrange a braider to do them - I do not know if this is on your radar or not, though.)

Tips and tricks:
I would wake up my show-mornings and wear breeches & something over them (jeans, sweats, exercise pants, etc). The white shirt I would leave in with my coat/gloves/etc. While I did morning chores (feeding, cleaning stalls, braiding) I stayed in those clothes - once horse was groomed he was given some time to be alone while I changed into my show shirt. At that point, I would saddle up. Once his saddle was on, I would do my finishing touches (coat, hair, helmet, tie, etc) and then bridle him for warmup.

After my ride I had a wonderfully supportive group of people who would steal my horse from me so as to avoid my touching him any more than necessary while I had white gloves/white breeches exposed. Took off the boots, put the over-pants back on, put on the over-shirt again, and then got ready to wait for my next ride.

Just give yourself plenty of time. Don’t be afraid to over-budget because for most horses (especially with a schoolmaster like it sounds yours is!) having extra time to just walk on the buckle as a break during warmup, or as part of your warmup, is never going to hurt.

Do:
Have clean spare rags (boots, foaming mouths, etc). Have flyspray on hand (and apply rigorously, often). Have someone keep a spare band or two for if an elastic snaps on a braid. Have a printout of your test somewhere (I would fold mine up and stick them in my glove) so if I needed someone to read it to me in a moment of panic/brain fart, it was easily accessible and Right There. Have someone with water accessible because staying hydrated is important!

3 Likes
#6

Nothing helpful to add. Just wanted to say I’m excited for you! I just did the “JOIN ALL THE ASSOCIATIONS!” thing as I’ve been riding with a trainer I adore and am looking into when to do our first trial.

Hope it’s a blast and a great learning experience!

1 Like
#7

Take a person with nerves of steel with you who is able help you with horse/tack and to calm you down ;-). Enjoy! Best of luck!

#8

Tip I JUST learned after showing for 15 year - odd numbered tests turn left at C, even turns right. blew. my. mind. Some people put their number on the outside of whichever way they turn at C, so the judge can see it. I just always keep it on my right and make sure to go past the judge with it on the outside during my courtesy lap. For your stock tie, I’ve used safety pins instead of the velcro to attach the ends - it gives you another inch or so. I also always use a safety pin on the front, to keep it down. I usually change right before I tack up, but have worn scrubs over breeches to keep them clean. If you have ANY questions on the legality of your equipment/ apparel, check with the TD before. Most importantly, remember to breathe :slight_smile:

5 Likes
#10

Wait

What

WOW…

Yet another “how old were you when” things

4 Likes
#11
  1. The number can go on either side of the bridle or pinned to the saddlepad. If you can, it is nice to tell the scribe your number as you pass the judge’s booth on your warm up lap.
  2. Wait for the bell/whistle before you enter at A. Use your warmup lap(s) to get a few transitions in.
  3. If you make a mistake, take a breath, let it go and move on as if nothing happened. Every movement is judged individually, so don’t let one mistake throw off your whole test. If you go off course, the judge will ring a bell (or blow a whistle), and tell you the mistake then tell you where to restart.
  4. You can have someone read the test, but it is good to have it memorized anyway.
  5. Know which movements are coefficients - try to ride those especially well.
  6. Go FORWARD. As a scribe, sooo many tests have “more energy” or “more forward” written all over them.
  7. Breathe. Smile. Enjoy!
#12

^^^This. As are the ring stewards, the bit checkers, the runners, the scribes and even the JUDGES (truly). All the staff and volunteers are there because they love the sport and want everyone to have a great experience. A bit of kindness and appreciation is always welcome.

2 Likes
#13

My tips:

  1. Know your way around the show ground.
    It seems silly, but when you know where you are going, you save yourself time and stress.

If you need to lunge, know where the lunge area is, know how long you need app. and check often to get yourself a spot between others.

Where are you going to warm up. When do you need to be there.

How to go from the stabling to the warm up and to the ring. How long does it take (walking and riding - if you need something, you know if you have time or not)

Where are the rings you will ride in. What is your time. Check with TD about show running late or if you can go earlier.

Where\Who are the TD - Tack check.

Have a watch.

  1. Have a reader.

Even if you know your test by heart, it’s nice to have someone around the ring just for the sake of it.

If your horse has trouble going around the ring, have your reader help you out with a lead chain/rope.
Your reader can walk around the ring with you.

  • Practice having a reader prior going to the show.
    Especially if the reader is not experienced - Read the rules about it.

  1. Check the starting list early in the morning. There might be last minute changes in the riding times/orders of go/rings.

  2. Have fun. You will make mistakes. Have fun. Everyone make mistakes. It happens, it will happen again. Have fun.

  3. Be nice to everyone and your horse. Smile.
    You can cry a little if you are upset and disappointed, but leave it at that.

#14

Ok so coming from eventing land I feel really dirty having a reader :lol: like I’m cheating! Is it really ok to have a reader at Training Level? I have such a hard time remembering the test and I want to do more than 1 but I find myself only entering 1 test because I can’t remember. For some shows it’ll be a long way to drive just to do one test!

2 Likes
#15

Yes. It’s really, totally, fine! It’s sometimes hard to rely on if your reader isn’t super loud and it’s windy out - but if you have a general understanding of the test you should hear plenty.

At training and first level, many riders do 2 tests per day.

Another option - enter 1 test and then enter dressage seat equitation! There is nothing to remember - the judge tells you what to do.

#16

Wait… what?

1 Like
#17

Absolutely have a reader! Great security blanket. Even though nervous riders can not hear and still go off course. (I did, but didnt panic and still scored well and won the class) I find that it reduces the concern about forgetting so I can concentrate more on riding well.

It is extremely helpful to have someone with you who is calm and organized. Ideally, they would know the ropes of recognized showing, but being calm and organized is the greatest help to me.

#18

Yes! It’s a fairly new program, but a really fun one. It’s a group rail class, judged on the rider. I grabbed the description below from the PDF (linked) regarding how to qualify for the regional finals in equitation:

  1. The rider’s position, seat, use, and effect of the aids will be judged as described in USEF DR117.
  2. Movements shall be performed simultaneously by all competitors, however judges may request for independent execution of certain exercises. All instructions must be publicly announced.
  3. Riders must be judged at the medium walk, sitting and rising working trot, and working canter in both directions. When rising trot is requested, the rider should change the diagonal when changing directions, except during a lengthening. The correct diagonal is considered to be when the rider is sitting when the outside front foot and inside hind foot are on the ground.
  4. In judging the position, seat, and use of aids, judges may include the following exercises to be ridden as a group, as required at Training and First Level: free walk, transitions from one gait to another, transitions from walk to halt and vice versa, change of direction via across the diagonal, down centerline, or half circle at the trot or walk.
  5. Additional exercises from which judges may choose to request riders complete in small groups or independently include the following: i. Transitions, leg yield, changes of lead through trot, serpentine at the trot, shallow loop serpentine with counter canter, trot and/or canter lengthening, and riding without stirrups.

https://www.usdf.org/competitions/competitions-championships/equitation/aadse/ProgramRules.pdf

1 Like
#19

OMG. Just have a reader and do as many tests you want. [Just for the horse’s sake, enter max 3 tests per day.]

You can have a reader from Intro to 4th level.

I had a reader (the owner of the horse I was riding who couldn’t read loud enough to be heard…) just for the horse’s anxiety… Having someone she knew standing next to the ring was enough.
I was then able to wean her gradually… :lol:

ETA : Yes, Equitation seat are like hacking classes where you have to do whatever the judge is asking.

#20

I know, it’s really hard to find someone ! So many professionals in my area seem to make most of their money by having horses in house for training and competing, not coach (at least not at shows) and I get it, unless they are there and have time it doesn’t make sense to leave their farm just to coach me, but it’s still a bummer. Thankfully my non-horsey husband is a great support especially since my horse can be a bit of a pill… I mean, I got a Selle Francias school master for free, he’s obviously a bit obnoxious and has some quirks! :lol: . Maybe I could teach him how to read for me… he’s a bit mumbly but he’d try!

#21

Not really as I remember doing those classes +20 yrs ago here, in Canada… It then disappeared with our old tests’ format (Base 1, Base 2, Medium) and it gladly just came back to life recently.

It’s a fun class.

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