The horse in question in this hypo is a one of these – she’s an A/O jumper, I’m…a re-riding AA who is not there yet and some days is not sure that I’m ever going to be or that I want to be (for a variety of reasons folks have mentioned in this thread, incl. financial, anxiety, some amount of disillusionment with life in the h/j show world, and otherwise). She’s short-coupled and uphill, and has the hind-end to handle collected work, but can be a little fiddly in the contact. She’s not the world’s most exotic mover, but she’s a forward, reactive little horse with decent gaits that I can sit, which I know is often an issue with adults converting from other disciplines. I’m quite attached to her and not in any great mood to go looking, so if I were to move I’d probably be inclined to give it a go and see what happened, but, I get that there’s an argument that that may not be the highest and best use of some theoretical potential (OTOH, she didn’t really show in 2019 because of her previous owner’s life circumstances and then I needed some time to get used to her after I bought her in the spring, and this year’s been a wash, so it’s not like I’m covering her show record in glory at the moment in any event).
It sounds like you are both a perfect match to try making the switch!!! Do you have a trainer in mind? It was a little challenging for me going from a full jumper training (mostly daily lessons with the occasional training ride) to once a week dressage lessons, but I think I became a more independent and thinking rider from it. It has given me time to experiment with what I learned in the lesson during the week, and come back prepared with questions.
Also, I recommend getting a very good saddle fitter. My geldings shape changed immensely once switching to dressage, and then evened our a bit more once we hit 2nd/3rd level work.
Sounds like the two of you need to get with a good Dressage trainer and never look back. Starting first with educating her how to go in to true contract and how you get her there. May need to be in half training with your dressage trainer for a while to unlearn some of the hunter habits
i will say you are very likely to love dressage shows if you have tired of the hunter show culture.
Thanks for the encouraging vibes, y’all! I’m looking for some ways to dip my toe in the water (which is slightly daunting as a logistical proposition, but we’ll figure it out). My 9 year old daughter is also increasingly dressage-curious of late, but we have a nearby trainer who is supposedly pretty good with the young ones, so maybe we’ll find something that will work for everyone.
I’ll send you a PM when I get my head above water with work! I thought I would have more time without having to commute but somehow I’m busier than ever?!
I’ve been so worried about you and Cupid once I heard CW got evacuated! Hope you’re all doing well.
Please keep us updated on your and your daughter’s progress!!!
I think a lot depends on the horse.
I’m still primarily a hunter rider, but due to some training holes in one mare (sticky lead change that ended up being physical, not training, in nature) I took a year off from jumping a few years ago and focused on straight dressage with her. We got decent scores at 1L-1 and 2, and were schooling second. She is soft in the bridle and it wasn’t a lot of ‘change’ to ask her to go like a dressage horse and not a hunter.
That being said, I do basic dressage flatwork with all my hunters. They all have the basic lateral buttons and accept contact, but to me, the contact is really where it varies. My lovely AO mare (not the one above) hates a lot of feel. She schools in a happy mouth and goes best when you loop the reins and stay out of her way. I could probably fudge my way through a show, but why bother, the mare doesn’t like it. She’ll do it, but she’s not happy and she goes so well as a hunter, it’s not worth it to me to press the issue.
So, BL is if your hunter can dabble as an equitation horse (e.g. accepts contact and happy to go in a little more frame, and understands lateral and transitions within the gaits), it can probably go to a dressage show tomorrow. But if it’s a little hotter or hates contact, trying to make into a dressage horse might be a longer journey. Luckily, dressage is all about the journey, and making progress with a horse that isn’t already a schoolmaster is kind of the whole point.
one caveat: most trainers don’t do both well. I think my H/J coaches are actually better at teaching me how my position influences the way my horse goes, but they just aren’t as skilled at really explaining the theory behind the dressage training pyramid, which has a different apex goal than a H/J. I did take lessons with a dressage-focused trainer during my Dressage Year, but I told my coach what I was doing and why, and there was only support, no weirdness.
I know this has gone cold for a while, but, I hate when we never get the end of the story, so, here’s the next chapter: we’re making a long-distance move (to, mercifully, a much more horse-friendly area! Woohoo!), and using the move as a way to make a graceful transition to a more dressage-focused life. Our new barn has an eventing trainer and two dressage trainers, so we’ll be able to take lessons in multiple disciplines, and hopefully get both my mare and my daughter’s pony some solid re-education to be getting on with. So, fingers crossed … here goes nothing!
What a fun update! Best of luck!
Had my first dressage lesson since my pony club days today, and it was fabulous. My mare and I have a lot to learn about our new jobs, but I feel so at home at this barn and with the discipline choice already. Thanks for the push!
That’s super! Happy to read the happy update! I’m actually making the switch to dressage, at least temporarily, with the horse I bought to be a hunter, so it was fun to see this thread pop up!
Sounds like a fun place! Enjoy!
Update on this one, again: two months in, I have never been happier in my riding life, and my mare has never been sounder, saner, or moved better. She’s been such an incredible trier as we’ve taught her her new gig, and I’m shocked at what a different pair we are than when we started on this path.
