I’ve been a warmup steward at a large rated dressage show. 3 in the warmup at a time!
Yikes, that gives you what… 10 minutes to warm up for a lower level test?
Some horses that’s fine but a greenie… whoo boy, there shall be theatrics! lol
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No, it gives you ten minutes to warm up at the schooling area closest to the competition arena. You can have all the time you want to warm up, they just limit the number of horses in the schooling area immediately adjacent to the competition arena.
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Not a BN/N rider per se, but I do have a young horse in these divisions, so a few thoughts to the original thought.
When competing “in” rated-eventing, I think it’s really important to read the rule-book. Each level has very specific specifications at what may be offered at the level. If I enter an event, and the questions asked are NOT permissible per the rule book, I can go through the appropriate sources, first contact a TD, write a review after the event, and then contact USEA. *(I haven’t done this personally, but did go through the right contacts at USEA to report a show secretary mis-handling waitlists and refunds, read the rulebook. There are avenues to report these things) And I think it’s very arguable, that before the event you and your horse should be proficient in ALL of the individual questions permitted at the level per the rules. (Did you know a jump could be placed X-Strides from water? The rulebook tells you. )
If I believe the course designer took too many “liberties” in his course design while following the rules, I can contact the event organizers post-event, as well as write a review, I may even write a thoughtful post here or my social media page highlighting the particular question which brings awareness. This is what I believe many posters have issues with, per se, Course had all-max questions, etc. etc. Even my Intermediate horse, if she has tough question after tough question without let-up, there’s some risk we may lose some confidence if not already secure at the level or depending on what time of year I’m in. So, in general I think this is happening across the board. As an east-coaster with some knowledge of the courses, I can say X. course is great first of season, I expect Y course to be a good prep before a championship. I do understand and think “we” east-coasters should understand that in other parts of the country this isn’t so feasible. Perhaps you just have one “max” event within a 6-hour radius. WIth so many to choose from, I “like” that I can pick and choose which level of difficulty within the level I can do with so many events on the calendar. And I sympathize with riders of different skill sets and goals who are competing for the same thing. Both sides have to realize while A Rider is valid in desiring a “tough” competition at X-Level, B Rider may want an appropriate course to try for the first time. My expectations for the event are probably in the middle. If I’m A, I can’t rely on the XC for my “Ribbon”. Go practice those circles girl. If I’m B, I want to be prepared for the level, but foresee that this first time out I may have a B-minus result, while still having a great time and learning a lot.
So, my suggestions would be (I do this) Rulebook (it may surprise you) and take advantage of the avenues available for reporting and voicing your concerns to the appropriate sources.
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