Let's talk about showing

[enjoytheride]

I think there are two theories behind showing

1. I want to see where I’m at in a competition setting for my current level of riding

2. I want to confirm where I’m at with my current level of riding

I’m in group one. I went to a show at Training to confirm where I’m at. I knew I’d get marked down for our canter, and for our halt. But we both needed time at a show in an actual dressage arena and I was beyond Intro.

Group two would not set foot at a show unless they were ready for mid 60s.

I don’t think either group is wrong, although there can be quite a bit of conflict between the two. As part of group one, I certainly wouldn’t run my experiment at a rated show because I am cheap.

[outerbanks77]

I say go for it as long as you’re safe, which it sounds like your horse is. There is a lot more to showing than just the 4-5 minutes you spend in the ring. There is value in learning your “system” like how long it takes to braid, how to warm up, manage your tack and feed, etc. better to work all that out when you haven’t already built up expectations about riding at a certain level you’ve been working towards for ages. I know I lose my brain when I enter at A, so it’s taken more test riding for me to actually remember to ride, and not just roboticifo through the test.

[Pehsness]

Oh, good to know, thanks!

[Pehsness]

Yes! It’s not all about the test, it’s all the other stuff. Like learning how long to warm up, how to deal with distractions and scary stuff, how to braid and “fit in”.

I do have a lot of showing experience (long ago, but it counts) so I know the ins and outs, but dressage is a different planet from any stock horse show. A bad trip at those shows gets lost in the crowd. People longe long and hard to warm up. Showing from the trailer is the norm at lower levels. It’s just different. So part of my goal is to learn all the nuance.

There are a billion saddle club shows I could go to. I did in fact, rode around in my dressage saddle and won the classes. But that is just more of what I already know. I want to know dressage.

And you couldn’t get a safer horse. He’s light a bomb and jump through fire safe. So it follows (to me) that I learn the ropes with him because it eliminates any stress outside of the actual riding. No worries about spooking or bolting or jumping out of the ring. He just isn’t going to look as pretty as most.

I cut my show teeth riding 3 year olds in the show ring as a kid because that was all I could afford - the unbroke but at least registered. I just don’t want to be part of that show world anymore.

Anyhow, as with all threads like this i learn so much. This one got me to dig deeper and I found this schooling series. Something to look
Forward to!

[dmveventer]

For most people cost is a huge factor. When you can only go to so many shows you have to decide what’s really worth the money and the lower level dressage tests aren’t going to hit that threshold for some people. The training level expectations are still fairly basic so I personally dont think it’s worth paying to show until we’re doing at least training consistently at home, and even then it’s more about getting show experience for my horse. I definitely wouldn’t want to spend rated show money on that but I’m also spoiled with plenty of schooling show options.

Everyone has to make their own cost/benefit assessment, and if intro is what makes sense for you and/or your horse you should definitely make use of what’s available. Your entry fees are just as good as everyone else’s!

[The_Entertainer]

It sounds like you want to go to the show for the experience of being there and just doing it for fun, so why not just go?

Do you only want to go if the coach goes with you?

I agree with other posters here that coach sounds hesitant (if you were asking for them to go with you) because its a big time committment on their part and they probably have their own stuff they wanted to do that day…in other words, for reasons not related to you, your riding or your horse.

[DLee1]

If you want to show, show. You’ve already proven you are capable.
Yes life is short, soundness of you and/or your horse may be even shorter. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, go have fun, get the written test, do things with your horse whether anyone else goes with you or not.

[The_Entertainer]

If you dont want to go by yourself, ask one or a few friends to come along. That way too youve got someone to hold the horse for a minute while you go to the bathroom and stuff.

[rulex]

That’s excellent that you found a schooling show series! Like others have said though, if you really wanted to show intro at a bronze show then do it. I personally wouldn’t because of the cost, but if you really wanted to get that show experience and it was then only option then why not? Life is short and with horses there are no guarantees so if your horse is a solid citizen and you can go on your own then go and don’t worry what anyone else thinks.

Another option to look at is ride a test days. You can get the off property ride in front of a judge experience without the extra expense and fuss of a show. Just another option to consider if you can find any running in your area.

[Scribbler]

The fact that you showed a lot in the past even in a different discipline changes things for me a bit. Showing is an activity you understand and obviously enjoy, and a way to get off property and do things. Knowing this, I’m more inclined to say go ahead and try! Organizing your own team to attend is a great idea too

[Pehsness]

I wish I had some! Lol. Unfortunately I don’t have any close horse friends at the moment (non horse friends yes, thankfully).

Part of my impetus for finding a trainer was finding a group of horse people locally. Keeping my horses at home and moving away severed most of those ties as I’m not local. It’s been hard to find them again - I don’t have the budget for the high end barns but don’t want to do only saddle club stuff either.

But it’s coming. I honestly don’t mind horribly going alone, but part of the fun is watching other people ride and wiping their boots etc. So I’m slowly making in roads.

I’m considering volunteering to try to expedite that process, haha.

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

@Pehsness

I’m going to go out and ride some 20m circles on my lunch hour and pretend we’re at a show. See if I would feel embarrassed or not, haha.

To build on this, I wonder if there are some online shows you can enter? Less travel, mileage and angst! They had them during the pandemic and it might be a good opportunity to video tape a test, start to finish, and see what you have. Then perhaps sit down with your coach, a trusted dressage friend or even someone who offers online coaching - have them review the test with you and provide tips!

[RedHorses]

Bronze level for shows was EC’s attempt to take over schooling show series back then. At the time the shows that did opt to become Bronze shows cost about the same as schooling shows, with the additional requirements of a Bronze EC Sport License and drug fee. Purely a money grab opportunity which worked because people wanted to show.

Obviously things have changed (ie. EC gets more money from Bronze shows) if they are being run with Gold shows and are that much more expensive than schooling shows. Though running a Bronze show with a Gold show likely increases the competitor fees simply by association, and Bronze fees in other places would be closer to schooling show prices.

Back then EC didn’t have WT tests. My area had an established (many years), flourishing schooling show series, with year ends awards and banquet, that didn’t bother with becoming Bronze shows. I think they might be Bronze now as EC clamped down on where their accredited judges were allowed to judge, and the barns that ran the shows changed.

@Pehsness check the prize list for your schooling series carefully. Around here WT tests are for horses or riders in their first or second calendar year of competition. Though many shows have a choose your own test class that would let you ride WT.

[Pehsness]

Oh wow, thanks for this insight, really appreciated.

[ParadoxFarm]

@Djones

There are still some folks doing virtual schooling shows. Greystone Dressage is one. L grads are the judges. A lot cheaper and easier than going to a real show. It’s a thought.

I do Greystone shows virtually. And I show live. But the virtual have the same judges that come the the local schooling shows, so it’s great feedback. I like to show virtually a level higher than I do at live shows, sort of an introduction to the new test. I highly recommend Greystone.

I am at the point in life where if I want to show, and have to show alone, I do it. If I have a trainer available, great. If not, that’s great, too.

[Pehsness]

I think I have firmly reached that point too.

I went to watch the rated show that was on this weekend and there is no reason on this planet that we shouldn’t go there to show, lol. No, we won’t be as polished and we won’t be free from flaws, but I watched a bunch of rides that weren’t either. Lots of wrong leads and wiggly halts and spooking at the judges box.

We might be a tad behind the leg and not as supple, but we would stand like a rock at the halt and spook at nothing, so there’s that!

Still, everyone has made such good points about the cost… I was willing to eat it when I didn’t think there were other options, but now I think I’ll start with the schooling series and if it’s a well done show, stick with it for this year. It will be mommy’s monthly day out, alone. And, I won’t feel the need to run out and buy boots and a new helmet etc. I’ll just polish up up what I have and call it good enough (more money saved).