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Switching from A-circuit hunters to dressage....am I nuts?

Dressage
#21

My mare was an A-circuit hunter when I bought her. Rode hunters for a while then decided that dressage was more up my alley. She made the switch pretty easily with little complaint (as little as a red mare can have) but it has worked out tremendously (now riding her 3rd level and she’s 22!).

I’d start by seeing if you like it before moving- I agree with the person who mentioned trailering in for a few lessons with the trainer. That way you can see if you like dressage and if you think your horse will tolerate the new way of moving as well as seeing if you even like the new trainer. It will also give you a bit more info on the barn and how it’s run.

As far as leaving, I think as long as you have a good relationship with the BO/BM/trainer, then they’ll absolutely understand you wanting to go a different direction. Just be open about why you’re leaving.

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#22

Debbie McDonald started out as a jumper rider.

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#23

I agree with taking a few lessons & if you have the opportunity, volunteering as a scribe (either at dressage or eventing competitions) . I’ve learned a lot from that & a good judge will explain a lot of things & even answer questions (well-timed at breaks of course).

Have fun, there’s always a lot to learn, I’m a big advocate of horses & humans trying new things - it almost always improves you both & at the very worst you can learn what you don’t like (I learned I hated fox hunting) , there’s no rule limiting amount of switching or even how many disciplines you can play with at once.

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#24

How exciting to consider something really new! You sound like a person in touch with your instincts, and that little fear factor creeping in is something worth listening to, rather than trying to stifle it.

And for the most part, I think our horses are just so tolerant to do whatever thing we think they should be doing, whether it’s jumping, or dressage, or trail riding… why not try a little bit of new things and see what feels fun?

I read a great little story on Facebook recently (which I can’t find) just talking about how simple and how fun riding used to be: we just got on and rode, without all the tack talk, and anxiety, and comparisons. Yes! We just got on the horse and rode it without micromanaging each step the horse took, or paying someone to micromanage every stride we rode.

Even if you never had the opportunity to mess around with horses as a kid, I think we all have that inner barn rat close beneath the surface… let her run to try something new, even if you do it on a serious level, and best of luck to you!

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#25

You are not nuts! My background is H/J/Eq (as a junior) and have turned to dressage with 2 OTTBs to get them balanced and because my dressage teacher lives down the road. WOW! What my horses and I can do now with only a tiny bit of knowledge blew my mind! It’s so fun to be able to see my horse’s progress and mine as well. My current OTTB is way better for it—as am I. IN addition to dressage, just FYI, I had another OTTB who turned out to excel at polo—he was SO insecure at jumping and stressed out in general that I tried polo with him and a QH I had. There was a local polo club for a short period of time and the oTTB LOVED it and turned out to be a highly desirable polo horse. Try anything and have fun! As far as changing barns—I don’t know about those politics, but it seems a good barn owner would want to see you succeed and if it means trailering to dressage lessons, or having a teacher come there, fine.

#26

I thought she started in hunters. Reason being I think I read or heard (paraphrasing now) that she says dressage is an obvious alternative discipline choice for hunter riders and horses to move to as both the hunter ring and dressage court require smooth, rhythmical and fluid performances and she was used to that.

1 Like
#27

[QUOTE=Ubu&Goober;n10547014]

I thought she started in hunters. Reason being I think I read or heard (paraphrasing now) that she says dressage is an obvious alternative discipline choice for hunter riders and horses to move to as both the hunter ring and dressage court require smooth, rhythmical and fluid performances and she was used to that. [/QUOTE]

I don’t know exactly, but she probably started in hunters before jumpers. Her husband was a h/j trainer.

#28

It was Hunters.
i was the one who asked her what elements of hunters were beneficial for dressage. It was at the USDF convention in Portland…and it was published! Wheeeee!
She and her husband, Bob, were both very successful Hunter trainers in Ca.

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#29

Thank you all so much for the encouragement. Unfortunately and quite sadly, I think the thing holding me back - for whatever reason - is what everyone else in this oh-so-critical sport would “think”!

Bottom line is, I just am not having any fun jumping anymore. I have NO fear just riding on the flat, but for some reason when the jumps go up in a lesson I panic - even with my horse who is a total rockstar and knows her job SO well. My horse feels it and it makes her nervous, I ride terribly due to my fear, I just plain hate it, and I quite frankly am relieved when it’s over. It’s a terrible cycle. I’ve always been a nervous rider when it comes to jumping, but it has gotten to the point where its debilitating - I’m talking even over cross rails and 2’, which is stupid. I really truly just think its the fear of falling and getting hurt, which for some reason I have it in my head that is more likely to happen while jumping, even though it probably isn’t at my level.

Also, similarly to the posts you see on the H/J forums from people lamenting that they feel “bad” that they aren’t riding their horse up to its full potential - i.e. jumping 4’ or showing “enough” on the A-circuit - as if the horse even knows or cares for that matter! I think crazily, somehow these thoughts have been creeping into my head as well, as if taking my champion hunter over to dressage is somehow doing her a disservice since she is so fabulous in that discipline.

Based on all of your comments though, I do believe now that we can do it! As I mentioned, my horse is an absolutely fabulous mover and has incredible rideability…that combined with my hyper-perfectionist, type-A to the nth degree personality should hopefully bode well for us to give dressage a try. It seems like it would allow me the opportunity to ENJOY riding again without the fear-based pressure that I feel with jumping.

5 Likes
#30

First, we do this because we love it. So if you are not having fun then change something.
Second, fear is not fun, make the change soon.
Third, if you are paying the bills then you decide if you are riding up to your horse and your potential. Your horse does not worry about it. The horses in the barn don’t criticize each other.
Fourth, sounds like your type A personality might be right for dressage.

if none of this works that is okay too. YMMV.

3 Likes
#31

Why don’t you just trailer out for a few dressage lessons with your horse? If you like it you can move to a dressage barn, if you don’t, then nothing changes. In the meantime, you can watch some dressage videos, read some dressage books, drop your stirrups a couple holes and start practicing some exercises on your own.
If lessons are required at your barn just tell your coach you will be happy to have a flat lesson but jumping isn’t happening anymore.

1 Like
#32

I think CEDA is your local USDF group member organization. They could help you find a barn and instructor. There are likely a few private barns you aren’t aware of.

#33

You are definitely not alone. Ive had similar thoughts before as well. As far as switching, a lot of hunter/jumper trainers are actually really good at their flatwork, its just that most of us jumping fools were never interested in having lots of flat lessons. I’d see if your trainer would be willing to work with you on the flat for awhile, maybe that could ease the transition and let you see if you are really enjoying it prior to picking up and moving. Not to mention buying all that new tack - but then again SHOPPING!!

It seems like you could get through training level with someone who isn’t an official dressage trainer but has good solid flatwork and understands equine mechanics, movement etc etc.

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#34

I moved my hunter from a H/J barn to ‘take a break’ and ended up moving him to a multi-discipline barn with no real plans. I left the H/J barn on good terms and even said, IDK what I want but I just need some time to think and may be back in two months (I didnt keep horse at H/J barn to ‘think’ because there was a training/lesson requirement for boarders). Since leaving H/J barn BO and I talk and I know I’d be welcomed back. I still meet up with that group of boarders for trail rides/hunter paces and they get a kick out of seeing the same horse in dressage tack. I think they all understood that I wasn’t happy and supported trying something different and are happy to see my horse and I happy.

It’s been 2 years since I left the H/J barn. I’m now taking dressage lessons at the same low key, multi-discipline barn (I can bring in instructors which I love) I moved my horse to and I’m loving it. I wan’t scared to jump but I was really ‘in my head’/anxious when I jumped and was too focused on perfection. Being an amateur with a career, husband, house; it wasn’t worth being stressed over a hobby.

At first I didn’t think I was giving up jumping, just taking a break but after a year I realized I hadn’t jumped more than twice and didn’t miss it at all. Its been exciting to dive into a new discipline and realize how much I don’t know about flat work, I really wish I’d done more dressage work when I was jumping. I plan to volunteer as a scribe soon and take my horse to a show or two in 2020. I’m looking forward to RIDE TIMES! We’ve done a few clinics and lessons with a few dressage trainers and everyone has been really welcoming and said my horse is cute, etc. I’m not sure he’ll ever make it past 2nd level but that isn’t a big deal to me. Hardest things have been sitting deep and not jamming my heels down.

I think we all needs a change sometimes but if you love your barn and aren’t sure about diving in head first to dressage, taking lessons at the dressage barn can’t hurt and heck, why not even tell your H/J trainer? Maybe they’d be open to having a dressage trainer come in occasionally, I know some barns that do that to help their jumping students diversify. Does not jumping mean you have to leave the barn you love? Could you do flat only lessons with your current instructor, sure they may not know dressage but could help you with basic work on leg yields, etc.

2 Likes
#35

What Rerider54 said. I used to ride horses for other people, and one of the best things I’ve done was to obtain ownership. I decide what my horse and I do, not other people. A) Life is too short to care about what others think and B) you might find that you have more in common with your dressage friends/what dressage training offers you and your horse and say “WHAT took me so long!!!???”

What other people think should be the least of your concerns in my opinion. I know change can be very hard (boy do I know!!! I’ve moved around the country with horses) But I’ve treasured ALL disciplines, all experiences, and met SO many great people along the way. What seems like a scary move now will be “ho hum” and part of your life in 6 months.

#36

This thread is useless without pictures. :slight_smile:

#37

WOW. This post really “speaks” to me! We sound like the same person LOL! As I mentioned in my previous posts, I have ridden hunters my entire life COMPLETELY by default, as thats what discipline I began riding in when I was a young kid. I’ve always had a desire to try other things, but just never did for whatever reason. I always stuck with what I knew. I totally hear you too about how its not worth being stressed over a hobby…that is EXACTLY how I feel! I was starting to notice that I was completely in love with my flatting lessons, but jumping lessons were beyond stressful and just no fun, so I finally wised up began thinking WHY AM I DOING THIS?!

I spoke with one of my trainers recently and they did actually tell me that there were some other clients interested in dressage lessons, so perhaps that will pan out so I won’t have to immediately switch barns. I know at some point I’m going to want to show, though, so I think eventually it will be inevitable that I’ll have to move, which I’m okay with.

To your point, I feel like I also want to take a break from the h/j world. Ive met my goals that I had for my horse and I this past year, and to be honest I’m also just kinda burned out from the h/j show scene. People mentioned in this thread that dressage shows are much cheaper - - well hallelujah! I’m “over” paying upwards of $2,500 just for two days of showing. YIKES.

1 Like
#38

GRF –

You should have no trouble making the switch. A horse and rider that can do a smooth 8-fence hunter course should have no problem with a Training Level dressage test, and likely First Level as well, right from the start. Some thoughts:

–Don’t fret about “dressage” tack and clothes. Use your hunter tack and clothes to start. Just make sure your bit is dressage-legal. No one will care, least of all the judges. If you find you like it, you might want to consider a dressage-type saddle with longer flaps and a deeper seat as you start to work toward the collection needed for Second Level.
–Research the dressage section of the USEF rule book, especially DR120 to 124, for the rules and protocol.
–Attend a dressage show with a friend to learn the protocol. Joining your local USDF Group Member Organization will also be a big help with this and also a source for schooling shows where you can have fun and learn in a lower-key environment.
–I have seen more than one hunter-type barn that started to invite in dressage instructors for both cross-training and to help retain their clients who were no longer so interested in jumping. It might be something for your own barn to think about.
–I won’t say a weekend at a recognized dressage show is a bargain compared to a hunter show, but it is less expensive. Schooling shows can be a good way to go while you are learning how this newer game is played. Schooling shows can vary widely in how formal they are and how competitive.

I was in a mixed barn once, and a hunter friend wanted to come with me to learn the dressage ropes. At the end of the weekend she said: “I get it. I get the tests, and the score sheets, and the assigned ride times. But there’s one thing I don’t get. . . . what’s with the skirts?!” After I stopped laughing, I explained that DQs use long skirts to keep those darned white breeches clean between rides. Those skirts can be quite colorful.

#39

The white breeches are a fashion, not a rule, Thank heavens.

1 Like
#40

I used to be a jumper rider but am gradually making the switch to dressage and eventing. I am loving dressage! Also, in this sport I am the brave one again! Just thought that might help! Eventing, I am back to superweenie but the people are so, so nice.

i actually brought a dressage trainer into my own barn, along with her program. So far we are all having a great time! The DQ myth is greatly exaggerated…everyone is super nice and down to earth. I am just priced out of the jumper scene at this point, I like to be competitive and develop horses, but I just can’t afford to develop a hunter/jumper. The shows to turn a greenie into a junior/ammy horse…I don’t see how anyone makes money on even a low six figures horse in the HJ world.

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