Want to try a Recognized show - what do I need to know?

[endlessclimb]

I have done lots of schooling shows in the last couple years. I participate in the year-end awards from the local organizing group, which for schooling shows is an average of 3 scores. For recognized, it’s high point based on placing - no way can I afford as many shows as some of those competitors!

That said, I want to try one recognized show, just to see the difference. We score alright in dressage, nothing earth shattering (I’d be stunned if we break into the 20s, but we get consistent low 30s), and she never has refusals but does have an occasional rail. I don’t think we will be terribly competitive, but we won’t make asses out of ourselves either… famous last words…

What should I know before taking a crack at one recognized show? What would you say are the major differences between schooling and recognized?

What I do know:

All my equipment is legal in USEA.
I already braid, even though I don’t have to. Just looks nice, and it’s fun to be fancy.
I think my show clothes are sufficient, though my coat is baggy (been meaning to get it taken in for 2 years now, sigh).

If I have the same horse from last year, I will have to circle/trot or get too-fast time penalties. I hope I have a more responsive horse, as we’ve been working really really hard on it.

Picture from this weekends lesson, just because I’m proud of our progress so far this winter.

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[Mango20]

If you have good quality unrecognized events in your area, I’m not sure it would be worth it to do a recognized, just to try one. It will cost you an extra $200 or so, between having to join the USEA and the higher entry fee. If the unrecognized is run well, there should not be major differences.

In my area, the XC course may be more maxed out at a recognized vs. unrecognized if both are run on the same course on different dates. Dressage and SJ are the same. Whatever you want to do for braiding and your jacket will be fine, since neither are required for USEA events.

[LovieBird]

It is more $$$, but if you want to try it for the experience, I think you should! The main difference between recognized and schooling events in my area is really the little details- jumps will be more decorated, etc. We are very lucky in that both schooling and recognized events are well run, but the recognized event just has the little extras.

[endlessclimb]

@Mango20 the unrecognized events are run well, but I feel like they’re not very competitive. There is nearly always a large gap between scores.

@LovieBird, I can see that! I like to watch helmet cams of recognized events at my level. What I really really want is a water obstacle. I have never tried it before in competition, and it looks super fun!

[Denali6298]

I have no advice but wanted to say if you go for it good luck! You and your horse look lovely in that picture!

[endlessclimb]

@Denali6298

I have no advice but wanted to say if you go for it good luck! You and your horse look lovely in that picture!

Thanks! She’s a fun mare, but dang is it hard to get her to calm down. That’s been our main focus - calm, slow the cadence, actually bend and don’t fake it.

I do wonder if there is some truth that schooling shows score “nicer” than recognized. Our scores are typically really consistent, so I could almost prove the theory if our score was way worse at a recognized.

[Jealoushe]

@endlessclimb

Thanks! She’s a fun mare, but dang is it hard to get her to calm down. That’s been our main focus - calm, slow the cadence, actually bend and don’t fake it.

I do wonder if there is some truth that schooling shows score “nicer” than recognized. Our scores are typically really consistent, so I could almost prove the theory if our score was way worse at a recognized.

Depends on the show. Most of the ones I see in my area of Ontario the judging is over the top over scored to benefit the rider, however it’s not the worst thing. I think its better to let riders leave feeling super positive than beat down!

That being said, there are some schooling events who use real judges, so the scores may very well be on point. Did you recognize the judges names on your tests? Thats a good starting point to see if your scores are relative, if your judge is just a volunteer with little education or an actually very educated person/judge.

If you are worried about the dressage scores, hit up a recognize dressage show first to see where you stand in the eyes of qualified judges.

Keep in mind regardless of your score or how you finish, eventing is always a good time. If you are feeling bored or unchallenged at the unrecognized shows, then by all means go for a recognized one!

[endlessclimb]

@Jealoushe

Depends on the show. Most of the ones I see in my area of Ontario the judging is over the top over scored to benefit the rider, however it’s not the worst thing. I think its better to let riders leave feeling super positive than beat down!

That being said, there are some schooling events who use real judges, so the scores may very well be on point. Did you recognize the judges names on your tests? Thats a good starting point to see if your scores are relative, if your judge is just a volunteer with little education or an actually very educated person/judge.

If you are worried about the dressage scores, hit up a recognize dressage show first to see where you stand in the eyes of qualified judges.

Keep in mind regardless of your score or how you finish, eventing is always a good time. If you are feeling bored or unchallenged at the unrecognized shows, then by all means go for a recognized one!

I think they’re actual judges, not volunteers. It’s pretty much the same 5 or 6 judges over and over though - I will check a recognized show bill once they’re out (a little too early here yet) and see if it’s the same judge(s).

I’m within range of the Kentucky horse park - does anyone know if they include water for beginner novice/novice for most recognized events there?

[Jealoushe]

@endlessclimb

I think they’re actual judges, not volunteers. It’s pretty much the same 5 or 6 judges over and over though - I will check a recognized show bill once they’re out (a little too early here yet) and see if it’s the same judge(s).

I’m within range of the Kentucky horse park - does anyone know if they include water for beginner novice/novice for most recognized events there?

Do you ever read your test after and note who the judge is? Thats an easy way to see.

I think they do include it a lot, but they also offer schooling so you could go school a few times before hand!

[endlessclimb]

Of course! Joan Pecora x2, Martina Mertens, Jennifer Strauss, Barry Fript were from last year - one show I had to scratch from the remainder of the competition because of my horse’s back skin issues. How can I look up their qualifications to see if they’re licensed/“real” judges?

I know she will go into water, I just want to do it in a competition because it looks like a total blast! Watch, I’m going to get a penalty because she won’t go now :lol:

[caryledee]

Usually at the low levels, water is either an option or an easy crossing at KHP. None of the judges you listed are licensed judges.

[caryledee]

I think it would be worth trying one and seeing if you enjoy it! Like others have said, it will be more expensive (KHP is around $400 now for the entry fees/stabling) plus you need to join USEA if you aren’t a member. If you go to Startboxscoring.com you can pull up some of the events from previous years and see what normal scores are. They tend to be pretty competitive in KY. Your dressage has to be pretty spot on; it is pretty normal to see scores in 20s around here.

[endlessclimb]

@caryledee

I think it would be worth trying one and seeing if you enjoy it! Like others have said, it will be more expensive (KHP is around $400 now for the entry fees/stabling) plus you need to join USEA if you aren’t a member. If you go to Startboxscoring.com you can pull up some of the events from previous years and see what normal scores are. They tend to be pretty competitive in KY. Your dressage has to be pretty spot on; it is pretty normal to see scores in 20s around here.

It’s ok if we aren’t as competitive. Honestly lots of times I’m surprised we score as well as we do - but FWIW my geometry is always correct, which I feel like at the schooling shows I want to tear my hair out watching people give away points by not knowing where to “hit” the track.

Thanks, everyone for the info! I feel like we can do this. I’m still nervous I’m missing something though.

[caryledee]

Are there shows in your area that you can observe before entering? As long as you know the rules, it shouldn’t be too much different. Be aware of the rules because they will disqualify you for stuff (such as jumping fence wrong way in warm up. Not sure if they are that strict at schooling shows) But the basics should be pretty much the same. Eventing people are cool because they are mostly all supportive of each other. Good luck!

[iris2006]

Regarding the rules, on XC, if you are too fast, you are not allowed to circle between the 2nd to last and the last XC fence. You can be disqualified.

The dressage rings they use at KHP for Champagne Run are pretty far from the stabling, on the other side of the Draft Barn, so allow almost 10 minutes to walk there and don’t forget anything! And it always takes awhile to walk to the warmup area for XC, and don’t forget your medical armband. They keep to a pretty strict timetable there so you don’t want to be rushing.

You have to be careful to listen for the whistle or bell to start in dressage and stadium. Sometimes it’s hard to hear, but you have to be careful not to start before the bell rings.

I think you need to bring your own pinny holder to most events.

I have seen where a parent or friend talked to a rider on XC and the rider was almost eliminated.

At my granddaughters first USEA event, she was going clean and killing it on XC, until at the 3rd from last fence she jumped the Novice fence instead of the Beg Novice fence. Eliminated.

Definitely go to a show at KHP. It’s a blast and our home away from home. It is incredible to run over the same land as our 5 star riders. The year we went to Hagyard, they used the Head of the Lake water complex, but they always use the Frog Pond at MayDaze and Champagne Run. The pictures at Head of the Lake were incredible, with the Rolex Stadium in the background.

At KHP there will be a small ditch at Novice, but sometimes with an option to go around it. Probably tiny ditch at Beg Novice.

If you sign up to buy pictures or video before the dressage starts there is usually a substantial discount.

At KHP you need to bring a short hose for filling buckets and maybe for the wash rack. They let you use fans. You can order shavings in advance and they are delivered to your stall. They sell ice by the shavings/golf cart rental place. The trailer parking is really far from the stabling, you need to drive between the 2 so plan for that.

Champagne Run July 10-12 this year is the same weekend as Breyerfest which is lots of fun for kids and adults.

Good luck!!

[endlessclimb]

@caryledee

Are there shows in your area that you can observe before entering? As long as you know the rules, it shouldn’t be too much different. Be aware of the rules because they will disqualify you for stuff (such as jumping fence wrong way in warm up. Not sure if they are that strict at schooling shows) But the basics should be pretty much the same. Eventing people are cool because they are mostly all supportive of each other. Good luck!

There are, they are reasonably close but not too close haha. I could go watch the Barrington HTs!

[endlessclimb]

@iris2006

Regarding the rules, on XC, if you are too fast, you are not allowed to circle between the 2nd to last and the last XC fence. You can be disqualified.

The dressage rings they use at KHP for Champagne Run are pretty far from the stabling, on the other side of the Draft Barn, so allow almost 10 minutes to walk there and don’t forget anything! And it always takes awhile to walk to the warmup area for XC, and don’t forget your medical armband. They keep to a pretty strict timetable there so you don’t want to be rushing.

You have to be careful to listen for the whistle or bell to start in dressage and stadium. Sometimes it’s hard to hear, but you have to be careful not to start before the bell rings.

I think you need to bring your own pinny holder to most events.

I have seen where a parent or friend talked to a rider on XC and the rider was almost eliminated.

At my granddaughters first USEA event, she was going clean and killing it on XC, until at the 3rd from last fence she jumped the Novice fence instead of the Beg Novice fence. Eliminated.

Definitely go to a show at KHP. It’s a blast and our home away from home. It is incredible to run over the same land as our 5 star riders. The year we went to Hagyard, they used the Head of the Lake water complex, but they always use the Frog Pond at MayDaze and Champagne Run. The pictures at Head of the Lake were incredible, with the Rolex Stadium in the background.

At KHP there will be a small ditch at Novice, but sometimes with an option to go around it. Probably tiny ditch at Beg Novice.

If you sign up to buy pictures or video before the dressage starts there is usually a substantial discount.

At KHP you need to bring a short hose for filling buckets and maybe for the wash rack. They let you use fans. You can order shavings in advance and they are delivered to your stall. They sell ice by the shavings/golf cart rental place. The trailer parking is really far from the stabling, you need to drive between the 2 so plan for that.

Champagne Run July 10-12 this year is the same weekend as Breyerfest which is lots of fun for kids and adults.

Good luck!!

She’s a monster and really will go over anything - I think a lot of that comes from how much hacking we do alone. It’s not the obstacles that intimidate me, it’s just the whole “formal structure” of it all.

Thanks for the tips on the walk times! Gosh, I was there for Rolex a million years ago, so I don’t remember how huge the joint is. Good news is I am chronically early, for everything.

[caryledee]

@endlessclimb

There are, they are reasonably close but not too close haha. I could go watch the Barrington HTs!

I used to compete there. Is that the only one left? Nothing running at Lamplight anymore?

[endlessclimb]

@caryledee

I used to compete there. Is that the only one left? Nothing running at Lamplight anymore?

No, nothing at Lamplight. I don’t know the details, but apparently politics got in the way of doing eventing stuff. They do have the Wayne Eventing Derby though. I competed in it last year - half rider, half horse error cost us a ribbon!

Silverwood is not too far, either.

[LuvMyTB]

@endlessclimb

No, nothing at Lamplight. I don’t know the details, but apparently politics got in the way of doing eventing stuff. They do have the Wayne Eventing Derby though. I competed in it last year - half rider, half horse error cost us a ribbon!

Silverwood is not too far, either.

IMO Silverwood would be a much better choice for your first recognized event. It is well run, experienced volunteers, and a smaller, less overwhelming venue. KHP is going to look HUGE, both in the size of the jumps and the facility, coming from mini events/schooling shows.