Piggy backing on the Intro thread... 2025 show goals

[Pehsness]

2 or 3 years ago I got a wild hair, paid all the fees and took my gelding to the last local dressage show of the season. Showed intro A and B, scored mid 60’s, probably made a mild fool of myself but I was determined to do it.

Since then I’ve had great intermittent lessons with a great coach, learned a TON but no more shows.

I now have a wild hair to make 2025 a year of the horse show. But we’re not good. We have the foundational knowledge to know what to do, but I haven’t been able to be consistent enough to put it all in to practice regularly (just life getting in the way).

So should I set my sights on the local open shows? They’re small, QH type shows, would be considered a schooling show (though the western people take it seriously enough) and we could do the rail class and the pattern class (english).

Or should we wade back in to the intro/training waters out of the gate.

He’s an older QH, I’m a middle aged re-rider with a bucket list. SOME g-d day I want to compete full seasons and work my way up the levels. So I have to start somewhere.

We have from now until May to sort out a decent w/t/c.

[SillyHorse]

@Pehsness

Showed intro A and B, scored mid 60’s, probably made a mild fool of myself

You’re never making a fool of yourself with scores in the mid 60s!

Can you get more lessons with your coach over the winter and spring? You should certainly be able to get a good w/t/c, and probably with good coaching move up to training level with little problem.

If you enjoy the local open shows and they satisfy the showing itch, why not stay with them? Do those shows until you have the w/t/c sorted out, even if it takes next year’s show season. Both you and your horse will have gained good show experience. Then, if you still want to, go to the dressage shows.

For some context, I’m the other side of 75. Five years ago I bought a lovely horse and spent the first four years enjoying riding him and learning, without any plans to show, ever. But I got the showing bug this year. We’ve been schooling 4th level and showed well at 3rd level this year. My plan is to spend the winter and next spring getting ready to show 4th level. Fingers crossed that we both stay healthy and sound.

All of this to say your bucket list is a reasonable one. But the most important thing is to have fun with and enjoy your horse, no matter whether you show or not, or what shows you do.

[luvmyhackney]

2025 is the year I’m making my showing comeback. Haven’t showed at an actual show since 2002.

I’m buying a truck/trailer and have goals to accomplish a low level dressage show, intro, and a cross rail class without completely embarrassing myself or my instructor by Dec 2025.

Might take me all year but my horse is talented unlike his rider, ehhmm me. He’s jumping 2’9” -3’ and easily do a 1st level class with his trainer when ever I want her to take him.

[exvet]

I’m an older rider and have been riding and showing almost all of my life, different disciplines but many decades in dressage. Believe me when I say you are not embarrassing yourself in any way when you’re scoring in the 60s. I personally have and continue to use ‘schooling shows’ to practice (for most of my riding career I have not had regular access to a full size dressage arena) my tests, practice my ring craft and to expose the horse to the routine of showing. If you are scoring in the mid 60s it is perfectly acceptable to dip your toe in the water and try the recognized shows at that level. There is no way you’re going to get a good and accurate feel of where you are in your training without an educated and critical eye. If you’re scoring in the mid 60s at Intro C, then I would suggest showing in schooling shows at training level this year with the idea that you may try your hand at training level at recognized shows at the end of the season if you continue to do that well. Personally I must have goals to strive for in order to keep my feet held to the fire and achieve progress. I also have a strong competitive streak. I maintain short-term and long-term goals with in put from coaches. My goals do include showing this year. Dare I say if we do well (anything in the 60s for my 14.2 hand Welsh Cob) at this next show (in November), we’re moving up to the next level next year. I’m at a level and riding a breed that anything consistently in the 60s, even the low 60s, and evidence that the beast/rider can competently ride the movements required of the next level, means it’s time to move up or you’re going to die at the level you’re currently at waiting for the elusive 70s. My beasts simply are not considered expressive enough movers with the ability to keep relaxation throughout the movement to earn the higher scores…I have learned and accepted that and will not let that ‘ceiling effect due to the breed or movement of the horse’ to hold us back from working up the levels. I have earned my bronze and silver medals with this caveat in mind and yes, my goals is to eventually earn gold with one of mine. Nothing wrong with dreams or goals of showing especially when they are reasonable which it sounds like yours are.

[Graymaresrule]

I keep pushing it back but next year Sophie and I will be eligible for a century ride and I hope to go for it.

My choice will be between Intro A or B

[Pehsness]

Oh, good luck to you luvmyhackney!

To clarify, I will be lessoning all winter for sure. Hauling in my gelding as long as the weather allows and using lesson horses when it doesn’t.

I don’t know why I have such a mental block about the dressage scene. It’s so far out of my comfort level, even at the grassroots (which is what this local series is, essentially). But it is what I want to do.

Oh, just read your post exvet. Yes! That is what I relate to! Little access to appropriate facilities etc.

It hadn’t occurred to me to so both… the club/open shows and the local dressage shows. But duh, that is a good idea! Club shows to build confidence for the true goal of moving up the levels.

[clanter]

really you never know just what will happen until you try

A good example would be the weanling we bought having him shipped to us to be picked up at the Morgan Nationals. The thought was since he was there he could be entered in the Sport Horse in Hand class as this class did not require prior qualifications.

So little guy who had never been off the ranch went into the Stallions/Geldings class of the division along with some twenty other aged horses. This five month old was not at all intimidated, preformed the triangle pattern flawlessly, stood for inspection then went back to the line up to watch the others (his breeder does handle all of their foals introducing them to what they call foal kindergarten classes exposing them to most of the common trail obstacles so nothing in his class was anything he had not done or seen before)

The class did take a pretty long time as each went through the process, then waited in the line up as the scores were totaled.

With very great surprise he won the class, then after the mares were judged the weanlings score was the highest of all. So at five months he was a world champion

All we were wanting to do was to expose him to the ring for his future. The result was unexpected

[outerbanks77]

Well, my fairly difficult mare came to the party this year and was ready to show second level. But because of various circumstances, despite paying my memberships, we didn’t make it to a recognized competition. (we did make a 69% at 2-1 at a schooling show a couple months ago, and will hopefully try 2-3 next month).

So far I have one 1st and one 2nd level score towards my bronze from my previous horse. So I’m hoping that we will be able to start changes in the near future, then step back and grab my other 1st and 2nd level scores at the first show of the year before focusing on moving up to 3rd. So I guess my dream stretch goal for next year would be to get my bronze, but time will tell.

My horse has also been doing well with jumping, and I’d like to feel competent bopping around a 2’9" course at the local shows next year.

[PonyPenny]

I too plan to show next year. I can do training and first and maybe second if I get my fitness and brain in gear. I am blessed with a horse that can easily do 3rd, but not with me. My daughter who had never shown dressage in her life went to a rated show this year on said horse and got scores in the 60’s at both 2nd and 3rd. She flew in for a friend’s bachelorette party and decided she wanted to show. She really showed her Mom up. Said horse was her former hunter, but she moved to the other coast seven years ago. So there is really no excuse for me if horse is still willing.

[Cowgirl]

LUCKY YOU! That is the opposite of what happened to me. One of my young horses was a stallion prospect (although I had him gelded). When he was 3, I decided to have him shown in hand (by a professional) in order to get show exposure and paid for a bunch of prep sessions before going to the shows to give him the best possible experience. Although the professional never gelled with him, as his amperage caused her to be aggressive which caused him to wig out, everyone expected my boy to SLAY. He, however, was overwhelmed, in the midst of a growth spurt, and refused to trot. It was walk and canter. The sport horse judges liked him so much, they gave many attempts for him to trot at the shows, but he could not keep his brain between his ears. Nonetheless, without trotting, he did finish 8th nationally, reserve champion in his All Breeds for a major breed organization, and champion regionally. Shocking. This horse is 6 this year and not ready to show, although schooling second level. I took him to a show last year and it took two days for him to relax enough to handwalk without incident. When I take him to a show to ride, we will do Intro A to see how he handles the environment. Fortunately, I see him as an FEI champion and not a young horse winner. Also, he is still growing and I think needs more time and more exposure. I think the Intro tests are great for this because you can do walk/trot tests and even mostly walk tests…

[clanter]

@Cowgirl

LUCKY YOU! That is the opposite of what happened to me.

this weanling won the same championship that two years prior his half brother (Socrates) then two years old had won also against some forty head

Socrates as a three old was lost in a pasture incidence breaking his left front leg. He was the most promising horse we had ever had, it was tragic to loose him. We actually considered getting out of horses all together as his loss was heartbreaking.

Socrates’ breeder offered us our choice of that year’s foals, so we entered into purchase contract and waited. Of course we “wanted” another from the same mare that produced Socrates. She was the last to foal that year. Surprise she had another bay colt.

here is the then little guy with his national champ ribbons

and then his world championship ribbons which had to be tied up since they draped to the ground

I have a panoramic photo of his class line up that’s file is too large to post here but it shows the little dude in the line up with all the others, he is just standing at ease in the middle of this gang Here is this little guy just off the North Dakota ranch in the middle of these professional horses, he was not intimidated

[Cowgirl]

What a fabulous baby!!! You are lucky indeed. The mind is the most important part of the horse.

[Erika]

I am late to the party on this thread, but my goals for 2025 is to get down centre line at intro/training level. I have been riding since childhood, but could count the times I have competed on one hand. I am now middle aged, and I have always dreamed of competing. I have a suitable, seasoned mount and we have a great series of schooling dressage shows in our area so it’s time for me to start making my dreams come true.

[DMK]

@exvet

Dare I say if we do well (anything in the 60s for my 14.2 hand Welsh Cob) at this next show (in November), we’re moving up to the next level next year.

I feel this in every fiber of my being!

2025 goals are to get my last 2 scores for a bronze medal and to be credible at the 3* cde dressage test. It’s a lot for a dude who wants desperately to be efficient and earthbound, but he always comes to the game with maximum work ethic, and I’m old enough to appreciate how very special that is!

[Pehsness]

Yes!! All the same here. Except I have a very seasoned (in everything but dressage) but UNsuitable mount, lol.

Oh well, all part of the fun. If I can get the two of us to training level I will genuinely feel like we’ve accomplished something.

[Erika]

You guy sounds like a lovely fun QH who is up to try anything. Far from being unsuitable in my eyes, he sounds delightful.
I have a feeling that you will be more successful than you think.

[athelas]

My goal is to make it down a centerline at a show that is off property. Even bigger goal is to canter in said test.

We’ve been battling EPM for the last year or so. And every time I make plans to go show, things go off the rails.

So, I’d really like to idk do Training 1 at a schooling show at some point in 2025!

[atr]

Well, it’s still 2024…

I got my toe rather badly smashed and fractured right after the beginning of our show season here, the week after I finally got my Bronze, so that sidelined me for most of the rest of the summer, and I never got to actually ride 3.3.

So, in a moment of madness and supreme over confidence, I said “what the heck, it’s only money” (gulp) and signed up to go show at DIHP in Thermal CA in a couple of weeks. I’ve never been to quite such a big show before.

There are 8 horses going from our barn. 5 of them (including me) are showing at 3rd level. The others are all way, way much fancier (and younger) than we are. And I’m sure the competition will be quite a bit stiffer than it is out here in the sticks.

As long as I don’t make a complete fool of myself, it will be OK.

It will be an experience, for sure!

And then I’m going to come home and hide in the barn until May or June and work on the 4th level stuff.

[KyrieNZ]

I haven’t competed in about four years due to Covid (we had severe lockdowns here in New Zealand) and then I damaged myself (ACL, torn meniscus, displaced fracture - do not recommend). I had surgery on my knee in April and have been told by my surgeon not to ride for nine months to a year. I hope for my mental health that I’m allowed back on on 5 Jan. Yes I am counting down. So, I need to get fit (I have been doing pilates and kneehab), and my current horse is green as green can be, so if I get to a competition by April '25 I’ll be happy. In the meantime, I am leasing a pinto warmblood stallion and took him out inhand earlier this month. I wouldn’t complain if we made it to Horse of the Year for Pintos inhand, but not going to lose any sleep if we don’t make it.

[Silverbridge]

Good luck! I am planning to be there, too, showing 2-3.

I am riding the test for the first time on him in Scottsdale this weekend and I’m hoping between once here and two more in Thermal in two weeks, we will hit the 63% mark needed to qualify for a Freestyle. The counter canter in serpentine is a challenge, but we are fairly solid in the other 2nd 3 movements as long as I don’t get too grippy under the show environment.

I already have First & Third Level scores toward my Bronze Freestyle Bar (on previous horses shown) but I never did one at Second. So that’s my goal this season, to qualify on my current horse in the Fall or early Spring, and then put one together for us to show later in the 2025 season.

I’m not even aiming for Regionals Qualifying this season because it’s located too far away next Fall. So for me, the Freestyle scores and earning the Bronze Bar are the next goal.