Question for Canadians: silver vs bronze

[BigMama1]

A question for my fellow Canucks: I am thinking about venturing beyond the schooling show circuit next year and trying some recognized shows. I realize there are different memberships / licenses required and likely higher entry fees, other than that are there real differences between Bronze and Silver? Is the calibre of judging and other competitors significantly different? Is there a reason, other than financial to choose one over the other? He only reason I can see to do Silver shows is to work towards my bronze medal from EC (very confusing). Anything else I’m missing that makes Silver worth the extra $$ or is better to start with Bronze when coming from the schooling level?

Not sure if it makes a difference to the answer but I am a low level rider, will be showing Training and First this year.

[alibi_18]

I’m from Québec and we don’t even have Silver shows… So it’s either Bronze or Gold. I’ve done both circuits.

Bronze shows, depending of your region, can be quite competitive. If you’ve only done schooling show so far, I’d look into that first. There is a big final here in Québec for all the regions (Jeux Équestre du Québec) and it is a really well organized circuit overall.

Gold shows are quite a step up from Bronze ones. Tougher judging, tougher competition with better riders and horses but venues are usually nicer with better footings, accomodation and there are prizes (money and gifts).

So I guess Silver shows would be in the middle, less money to win but higher level of competitors.

If you do the Silver circuit at 1st level, look into declaring for the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championship

[Forte]

For Bronze level your horse does not need a passport. Gold and Silver does require a passport. Bronze scores do not count towards Dressage Canada achievement awards. If you have only been doing schooling shows so far, then bronze would be your logical next step up. Good luck and have fun!

[partlycloudy]

I always found that the silver shows were at better venues; better warm up rings, better parking, better footing in the rings.

The one near me is a 2 day show with ample stabling available. So you can do 2 shows in 1 weekend, expecially good if you are hiring a trucker.

Bronze shows tended to be a bit sketchy on all the amenities.

[dbliron1]

We don’t have any Silver competitions in BC, only Gold and Bronze. If you’re just starting out Bronze is where you need to be. In my experience, there’s no guarantee that Gold shows are better organized, better located, or better staffed - sometimes they are, and sometimes they’re not. Your decision should be driven, at least in part, by where you live and plan to compete. If there’s no Silver division, there’s no point in having a Silver license.

[Scribbler]

In B.C., yes, no Silver level. The hunter/jumpers do Bronze and Gold. There are a lot of Bronze shows; they top out at 3 feet, most entries 2 foot nine or under. There are a few Gold shows, which have a handful of “big” jump classes, then generally fill out their offerings with a lot of unrated junior classes. You can’t run two EC levels at the same show but you can run one level, plus unrated classes. This lets the lesson barns say that their short-stirrup kids compete at Gold-rated shows

As far as I’ve seen in the Vancouver area, all the dressage shows are rated Gold. But most of the entries are training level and Level One; sometimes there are only one or two competitors at the higher levels. I don’t know how it works in other provinces with a deeper pool of competitors. Does a Bronze dressage show typically go up to a certain level, then a Silver, then a Gold for. let’s say, PSG and up? Or does every dressage show at every level run the full range of classes?

As I understand it, you can buy a one-off “upgrade” to enter a Gold show even if you don’t have a passport.

[Nojacketrequired]

In our area, Silver and Bronze show at the same venues.
For myself, I will show Bronze at a level until I’m achieving solid marks then I’ll move up to Silver the next year. I showed Bronze this year and was very pleased with the quality of judging and competition.
NJR

[Forte]

[QUOTE=Scribbler;8439038]
In B.C., yes, no Silver level. The hunter/jumpers do Bronze and Gold. There are a lot of Bronze shows; they top out at 3 feet, most entries 2 foot nine or under. There are a few Gold shows, which have a handful of “big” jump classes, then generally fill out their offerings with a lot of unrated junior classes. You can’t run two EC levels at the same show but you can run one level, plus unrated classes. This lets the lesson barns say that their short-stirrup kids compete at Gold-rated shows

As far as I’ve seen in the Vancouver area, all the dressage shows are rated Gold. But most of the entries are training level and Level One; sometimes there are only one or two competitors at the higher levels. I don’t know how it works in other provinces with a deeper pool of competitors. Does a Bronze dressage show typically go up to a certain level, then a Silver, then a Gold for. let’s say, PSG and up? Or does every dressage show at every level run the full range of classes?

As I understand it, you can buy a one-off “upgrade” to enter a Gold show even if you don’t have a passport.[/QUOTE]

I live in Ontario now, but am originally from Vancouver. You are right, you never seem to see Silver shows in BC, but they are very common in Ontario, not sure why. Vancouver area has a healthy choice of both Gold shows as well as an excellent bronze circuit (Dogwood Series at SRC). In the GTA area there are LOADS of shows to choose from bronze, silver and gold. I don’t really find that the rating of the show has much to do with the quality of the facility or competitors. Obviously if you go to a gold show at Palgrave, you are going to see a top notch facility, with top notch riders and horses. However I have been to plenty of one day Gold shows hosted at much more backyard type facilities that didn’t feel like much more than a schooling show. Caledon Dressage runs an excellent Silver series which is well attended and has excellent prizes and competitive classes.
Also, many shows will run a Gold/Bronze or Silver/Gold show at the same time with the same judges and the same rings, so it’s just up to you which division you’d like to enter.
OP, can you tell us more specifically where you are located?

[BigMama1]

Thanks everyone. I am in Ontario in the west GTA and was looking at mostly the Glanbrook Cadora shows. All are within a short drive, don’t require overnight stabling and have Bronze and Silver at the same shows.

Looking at their results from the past year, a lot of the bronze competitors are the same people I saw on the schooling circuit this year. There are far fewer competitors at Silver it seems. So other than qualifying for the EC awards it doesn’t seem there is any real reason to pay extra fees, get a passport etc to show Silver if Bronze is available. I have no plans / desire to show Gold at this point.

Caledon Cadora shows are farther but my coach like the venue and how they are run so that’s a real possibility too.

I want to push my comfort level a little but also but want to have an enjoyable experience without feeling like I made a fool of myself. At the schooling shows last year I got scores of 67-73% in walk trot and 61-65% at Training. This year my goal is to get 65 or higher in all my Training tests and to give First a shot just to get more experience in the ring. Figure if I’m going to be there anyway might as well get in as many times as I can. Do you think I will fit in at the Cadora shows or am I better off to get another year of practice at the schooling shows?

[alibi_18]

You’ll fit right in at the Cadora shows no problems!

[caper]

What she said!! ^^^

Those are good scores. They are very welcoming at Glanbrook. Have a fun year!

[Forte]

[QUOTE=BigMama1;8439128]
Thanks everyone. I am in Ontario in the west GTA and was looking at mostly the Glanbrook Cadora shows. All are within a short drive, don’t require overnight stabling and have Bronze and Silver at the same shows.

Looking at their results from the past year, a lot of the bronze competitors are the same people I saw on the schooling circuit this year. There are far fewer competitors at Silver it seems. So other than qualifying for the EC awards it doesn’t seem there is any real reason to pay extra fees, get a passport etc to show Silver if Bronze is available. I have no plans / desire to show Gold at this point.

Caledon Cadora shows are farther but my coach like the venue and how they are run so that’s a real possibility too.

I want to push my comfort level a little but also but want to have an enjoyable experience without feeling like I made a fool of myself. At the schooling shows last year I got scores of 67-73% in walk trot and 61-65% at Training. This year my goal is to get 65 or higher in all my Training tests and to give First a shot just to get more experience in the ring. Figure if I’m going to be there anyway might as well get in as many times as I can. Do you think I will fit in at the Cadora shows or am I better off to get another year of practice at the schooling shows?[/QUOTE]

It sounds like you’ll be just fine at the CADORA shows. Caledon Dressage is also great. Really well organized and a great group of people. If you feel like venturing a bit farther north, a group of dressage enthusiasts in the Collingwood area will also be hosting a bronze show series. We should have our Facebook page up soon. Look for “Escarpment Dressage”.

[_DressageDiva]

I didn’t read all the responses, but in my area (Northern Alberta), there is also mainly just Bronze or Gold. Bronze is great to get your foot in the door; it’s significantly less expensive. I won’t comment on the competition as it totally depends on your area - around here, Gold is very competitive and Bronze isn’t so much.

[normandy_shores]

No Silver in BC, many of the shows offers both gold and bronze.

Its too bad our medal awards are so vastly different from the USDF medals