Training Level test 3 - large or small arena?

Looking to enter my new mare into some shows this spring, TR3 looks like it can be in a large or small arena, anymore compete last year and any insights in what you are seeing for ring sizes, TY.

I expect this will be largely location dependent. In Florida, I never saw anything other than Intro in a small ring, if that even was.

2 Likes

Schooling show or recognized? If rec, pretty much bound to be a full court.

2 Likes

I agree it will depend on location and show type. I run the dressage classes at the Region 3 show. 90% of the entries are Intro, or Eventing tests written for a small arena, so I usually run the (straight dressage) Training tests in a small arena.

2 Likes

when I was showing you almost never saw small court. Recognized or local schooling, the labor needed to change to a large court was impractical in the days of depending on volunteer help

Most show secretaries are happy to answer questions about their show. Send yours a note and ask what their plans are if it is not specified in the show announcement

1 Like

But waiting for a stiff old schoolie to cross the diagonal at a walk in an intro test in the large arena can be excruciating.

13 Likes

I saw large in VA at both rated and schooling shows this year that I attended (mostly VHC).

1 Like

Local to me, schooling shows usually run T-2 and below in a small ring, T-3 and up large. Recognized shows typically are all large. I’m in New England.

7 Likes

If we’re talking recognized shows, expect a large arena.

2 Likes

T3 has been in a large arena, even at schooling shows around here. That single loop rides weird/fast in a small court IMO.

4 Likes

At schooling shows I have mostly seen levels up to T2 in small arena. Then arena changed to large for T3 and up.

5 Likes

Our local school shows have Training Level (all tests) in the large court. Only Intro level tests were held in a small court. Those serpentines in a small court are a challenge. :grin:

2 Likes

The first time I tried to ride it in a short court I was laughing my ass off - it happens so fast and I felt like I needed a pirouette at the rail to get to X at an appropriate angle to head back to the rail.

3 Likes

My experience for the last 15 years has been all recognized, but I VERY rarely see a small court. Unless there is a full day of rides to schedule in a small court, it takes manpower and time that lots of shows don’t have available.

Mind you, there are plenty of times after the millionth pony training 2 ride that I’d give my left leg as a scribe for a short court. Some of those rides takes FOREVER. Even as a scribe I have a hard time paying attention through some of those rides.

4 Likes

Wait 'til you get to watch a barely medium pony do 1-3… guaranteed the rest of the day will be behind schedule!! :laughing:

7 Likes

Court size will be stated in the prize list.

I showed Intro last summer in a large arena. It took FOREVER.

2 Likes

:rofl: :rofl: Yep!!

I am a show sec for a small GMO in MD, I schedule everything except the Eventing tests in a large.

I don’t remember if it was T2 or T3, but when I did a short court test on my 17H WB, the end of the arena came up so fast I thought we might accidentally jump out. I decided to go home and not show until we were ready for 1st and guaranteed a long court.

4 Likes