What goal to set for showing? (Dressage newbie)

[AEliz]

After about 10 years of showing casually a couple schooling shows a year in hunters and in IHSA in college, I switched to dressage and have been working with a trainer for a little over a year. Under the guidance of my trainer I am preparing to take my 19-year-old mare to our first schooling dressage show at the Intro level. I’ve become very interested in pursuing dressage more seriously and want to see how far I can go, first with my mare and later with a more experienced horse.

My question is, how should I go about setting goals for myself and my horse? I have been researching different kinds of competitions but the variety and complexity of different kinds of divisions is quite overwhelming. I’m interested in competing in recognized shows and eventually hope to accomplish something that would be broadly recognized in the dressage world. Where should I start looking for competitions to enter? Is going for something like the USDF Rider Awards pretty realistic for a non-professional? Or should I stick to something like the USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program?

Any advice on specific competitions/programs or general goal-setting for a newbie would be much appreciated!

[joiedevie99]

Exciting! The biggest determinant of what your goals are is your budget and the availability of competitions in your area. If you have access to good schooling shows that count towards the USDF program, that might be a great goal. I’d also find your closest GMO and see what they offer. Many have their own awards programs which could be a great first goal.

Plenty of amateurs work towards the USDF awards. I’d say the bronze medal is probably the most common thing you’ll hear about as a goal. It takes two qualifying scores each at first, second, and third levels. You can earn it over multiple years, on multiple horses. On the way there, you can work towards Rider Performance Awards, which are offered for four qualifying scores at each of training, first, and second level.

[Scribbler]

Dressage goes up in steps. You can look up the tests online and familiarize yourself with the requirements. Many ammies find it easy enough to do Training and First Level. At Second level you need to be able to sit a lengthened trot and then there are flying lead changes and more collection.

So Second and above can be harder based on limits of horse and rider.

I am not sure what Intro level is, are you going to an Eventing competition? Straight dressage has walk trot and Training level.

I’d say it is early days for your dressage journey. I would focus on the job and horse in front of you. Let your trainer be your guide to what local shows are appropriate.

In my area we have some nice unaccredited dressage show series that have the same judges as the accredited shows. They tend to offer walk trot to second level with the option of riding a test of choice at a higher level. They offer year end high points.

For your first year or two, a quality unaccredited series like this would be a very appropriate place to hone your ring craft and see how your scores look. Make sure to get videos and watch them over and over while looking at your score sheet comments. Very instructive.

These schooling shows do tend to mark a tad softer than recognized shows but they are also much cheaper and more relaxed.

I wouldn’t bother paying for the cost of a recognized show until I was really sure of my game.

Ask your trainer for guidance.

As you may know, from Training to Fourth Level the tests are created by the national body like USEF. From Prix Saint George to Grand Prix the tests are crested by the FEI. But obviously you can ride the FEI tests at a local show. So “riding an FEI test” doesn’t mean you are riding at an FEI sponsored show or on the International circuit.

On your current mare, I’d suggest set a goal of riding First Level at a schooling show with marks in the 60s and once you meet or exceed that goal, you can evaluate the next step. You and your trainer can discuss if she has the physical ability to continue to Second, or if it’s worthwhile to take her to recognized shows.

At some point you are going to want to start bringing along a younger horse with dressage talent. And perhaps find yourself some rides on a school master a bit above your level to develop your own skills.

[joiedevie99]

@Scribbler

I am not sure what Intro level is, are you going to an Eventing competition? Straight dressage has walk trot and Training level.

The walk/trot level is called Intro. The tests are technically written by USDF, not USEF like training to 4th, but they run just the same at most recognized shows. Like the other levels, there are 3 tests. A and B are walk/trot only. Test C adds a little bit of canter. You can download them all here: https://www.usdf.org/downloads/forms/index.asp?TypePass=Tests

[AEliz]

Thank you so much for your quick response and advice! I’m glad to hear I wasn’t totally off base with the research I had done so far. I’ll check out the programs and awards you mentioned. It sounds like something I can work towards on multiple horses over time would be a good fit for me. Thanks!

[Scribbler]

Ah, that makes sense: USDF runs its own tests parallel to USEF. Here in Canada we just have EC tests borrowed from USEF as far as I’m aware.

[AEliz]

Thank you so much for the advice! I’m glad to hear some of what I was thinking is echoed by others with more experience. As you suggested, my trainer and I are thinking I can get my horse to First Level but probably not past given her fitness and athleticism (and my own experience). Your suggestions have given me lots of ideas to discuss with her - I am expecting a move to a different part of the country in the next year or so, so I’m hoping to get some clarity on my longer term goals so I can continue with a different trainer in the future. Thanks again!

[MsM]

I agree that your local Dressage Organization is a great resource. You will also find that many dressage riders talk about their goals more in terms of training and riding progress rather than competitive results and awards. So goals might be described more as “be able to sit the trot with quiet hands” or “use lateral work to improve flexibility”. Of course those improvements should lead to better scores when you do show. And then the score sheets are a great guide towards your next showing goal as you can see what did and did not go well.

Personally, I am working on a limited budget and have not (yet?) invested in a lot of memberships and shows to work towards awards. (Just joined my GMO) If I decide to try for something I will go through various options to consider which seem most appropriate and cost-effective. You could go broke just joining programs to be eligible for a certificate that will be emailed to you!

Enjoy the journey. Dressage doesn’t provide the thrills of jumping, but I find it engrossing and satisfying to improve my horse and myself. Welcome!

[Djones]

Volunteer at schooling shows and you will meet a zillion peeps, make connections, and learn so much. Volunteer and become a sponge

[Jealoushe]

We also have CADORA Tests…but they are…meh

[Foxglove]

When I and eventually the kiddos showed dressage eons ago, we approached goals a little differently. Since tests were broken down into movements, the kiddos and I had spreadsheets (?) where we recorded scores for each movement. So, “free walk” might have been a 4 at one show, a 5 at another, a 3 at a 3rd . . . .and the halt, sitting trot, etc. Looking at a series of scores, we could see, even with the variation in judges, if something was improving or slipping. If the horse/rider is consistently scoring 8 in the free walk, then not so much time was spent on improving that as was in the 20 meter circle at a trot where scores went from 4 or 5 in the first half of the year to 2 and 3 the next two tests. Might have been a lame idea to those who ride dressage at a much higher level than a farmer’s wife and three little kids, but it did keep them working on something and not so much comparing scores with each other.

[outerbanks77]

Another thing to do is go audit clinics. That way you can usually see riders at different levels and abilities riding different kinds of horses. It will give you a sense of what it takes to ride 2nd, 3rd etc.

Honestly, don’t worry too much about what to “go for” in terms of awards and whatnot. Learning dressage is a long process. You will need to retrain your seat to be totally different from the HJ seat, learn a different kind of HH, a different kind of forward and roundness, new appreciation for timing of the aids, etc. Your goals might totally change in the course of learning, and IMO, being too goal-driven in dressage causes shortcuts to be taken, which can later come back to bite you in the butt due to glossing over some of the basics.

[Scribbler]

Yes to this.

Theres one big difference between H/J and dressage. In H/J you have a specific thing that you compete at, jumping rails. You do that at competition and probably school or lesson a couple times a week.

In dressage you are refining and balancing your horses entire way of going through multiple tiny increments. And you are refining your own balance and aids and feel at the same time. It’s certainly a good thing to hack out or trail ride a dressage horse. You don’t want to be trotting 20 metre circles 7 days a week. But even trail riding you want to be alert to how the horse moves out on a loose rein, and use that time to perfect muscle memory in your seat.

Dressage really is about gymnasticizing your horse, and the tests are a reality check more than the goal.

Absolutely short cuts mean long delays, and I see this every day at my barn where nice enough horses flatline at “schooling first” because they’ve been ridden over bent on the forehand under tempo to get a “frame” and lose impulsion or go unsound.

If you want to go up the levels and eventually on a fancier horse, you might also want to be going to the gym now to work on core stability to ride the big gaits.

The requirement to sit lengthened and extended trots at second level and above is difficult for many amateurs. Especially since a dressage talented horse these days is understood to have a showcase big trot naturally. It’s true that a real extended trot is more balanced than a raw green racing trot, but it’s still a challenge.

[Willesdon]

Dressage is about training and improving your horse to make it ‘the most beautiful it can be’. The mindset isn’t really about ‘winning’ or setting a show target aiming at ‘n’ medals and ‘y’ ribbons, but rather using a show to test your own personal progress and your horse’s level of training in front of a good Judge. The target to set yourself is to consistently improve your scores and by doing so you can steadily move up through the levels.

Talk to your trainer about where you and your mare should start. Try one show, read and consider the Judge’s comments on your score sheet, watch videos of yourself, learn where you can make improvements, work with your trainer on specifics, then go out to a show for another go and - hopefully - build on previous experience to get better marks. Rince and repeat.

It is a journey, with ups and downs and twists and turns, but it is an endlessly rewarding one and it is wonderful to see and feel how your horse improves with correct training.

[hoopoe]

Personally , beyond this first show I would not bother with Intro level in the future. You are a fully experienced rider and beyond this first show you dont need Intro level. You can competently walk trot and canter. Intro is rather more for green horses and novice riders.

Step in to Training level and progress forward. If you enjoy showing and want something special to aim for every year, aim for your regional championships. The are simply a lot of fun and a great way to end the season.

Many shows offer Adult dressage seat equitation which you are judged on your seat and aids. This can be a fun change of pace from riding a test . If your local shows offer this mention to your trainer and see about some focus on lunge lessons and refinement of your seat.

For long term goals I agree that the rider medal scheme is the best. This is for all riders, not just pros and many Ammys consider them their big goal.

There is no reason to not enter USEF shows. USDF is a prize and education organization and they give out the year end awards. USEF oversees the show system , judges, drug testing etc.

There is no real reason to stick to only schooling show system, Many of the riders you meet there, particularly early in the season , will be riders you meet at the regular shows.

Not sure about what you mean about the variety and complexities of divisions. Your trainer should be able to answer some of your specific questions, or you can ask them here.

[2tempe]

Depending on where you live, schooling shows can be an awesome and less expensive way to early accomplishments and developing your comfort level in the ring. I lived on NE Ohio for quite a while. Our GMO ran 5 or 6 schooling shows each year; based on results you could qualify for the “schooling show championship” which was held in the fall. Down here in Central Florida there are a good number of schooling shows also.
And be realistic; I dont know you or your horse, but odds are you are teaching her to carry herself differently and develop different muscles. This is harder for a 19 yr old horse than a 9 yr old horse, and may ultimately show up in scores. But you can work on things like: accuracy of the movements - at the letter, true circles, not eggs. Center line entrance and end. Transitions.
Everyone says dressage is a journey and its true. I’m a goal oriented person but I have found goals too far forward in this sport can be a challenge. Horses get hurt, or sick, finding a new horse is HARD and way less fun than it should be. Training takes time and patience. People have life events.
Lastly - your current trainer sounds like she has you on the right path. But all trainers are different. Early on I spent a number of years with a trainer who had a great resume. But her strength was training horses. Not teaching riders. It was only later that I found how many things were wrong with my seat and how to fix them and better influence the horse.

[eightpondfarm]

brilliant idea, and so constructive for a child collective

[netg]

My long term goal with every horse is Grand Prix, for what it means about the training.
It means I’m not going to take a shortcut or choose to be a training level superstar over progression and correct development. It means my horses’ comfort and soundness is an absolute priority.
I want to get my medals, and was on pace to get my bronze (2 scores from different judges above 60% at each 1st, 2nd and 3rd level) when a stall injury sidelined my mare. That injury is healed so she keeps finding other ways to hurt herself, so it’s sidelined for now.
I just had my younger mare, and based on her quality and my knowledge of judging, I felt at training level transitions were our most likely high scoring movement- and the ones where my riding had to be correct to get high scores. So I aimed for at least one 8 on a transition (and ended up with 3.) It depends on where you are - with my older mare who isn’t as fancy, the goal was always more like score over 60%. For the young one, consistent scores over 70 is a reasonable expectation before moving up.

[eightpondfarm]

For me it is about laying a perfect foundation. The most important thing i think i will do with my dressage experiment is all taking place before showing. (on three horses) I want decorum at the mounting block. I want a great walk, a great halt and my horse to know that all four feet have a precise placement, i want very nice up and down transitions into a trot. i want them (my horses) to visualize with me a nice round 20m circle at X. All these things i want before even bothering with a show. So i guess my goal for showing is to have something to show.

[Alterration]

I also come from hunter/jumper land so I understand the feeling and need to set goals for shows.

However…

Dressage is different. Are there competitions? Yes. Can you buy a better horse and get further along? Sort of (ask Shelley…whatever her name was as to where the limit is on that one). My recommendation is to start to learn to enjoy the process and think less about the end goal.

Sure, do I want to ride GP with my horse? Absolutely. And at some point if he and I both stay sound and manage to not have any calamities and we don’t find limits, we’ll get there. But that’s a vague and long term goal. Focusing on improving each ride and staying present is, IMO, a much better path to success.