What is killing recognized dressage shows?

[beowulf]

@fordtraktor

Eightpondfarm’s concerns are very legitimate, IMO. Many horses that aren’t used to traffic can become upset in a busy warmup.

I admit I was surprised by the negative reaction to that post. I’ve Seen Some Things as a ring steward and didn’t think that post was necessarily unfounded! If you aren’t super experienced with busy show warm ups, it’s really unnerving. It’s worse in the lower levels IMO, as the classes are fuller and there’s less collective control.

For what it’s worth my last dressage warm up was chaos. There were about 25(!) horses in a large warm up ring (GMHA, for those who wondered). Then there were probably 10 riders who Refused To Give Way not matter what and rode – quite brazenly and at speed – into other rider’s bubbles. I had two competitors nearly collide with me at the canter while I was walking. I believe people who say that warm ups can be jarring.

My non-horsey SO was watching and after my warm up he asked me if we were competing in Horse Bumper Cars.

I didn’t follow the mean girls comment, but I will say one thing. Some riders are absolute jerks in the warm up. Sayin’ that with boots on the ground.

[gailbyrd]

@PonyApocalypse19

As a note, there was a definite decrease in Region 2 entries for the championships this year compared to the last time they were held at Lamplight. It was around 200 - 300 less entries if I’m remembering correctly. I know some people went to Region 4 this year, but that amount isn’t anywhere near 200. So we are seeing a general downturn in show entries for the various reasons this thread pointed out.

Region 1 had a lot of Region 2 people come in as well for Regionals. One reason given was the eastern Ohio people would rather drive to Lexington, VA as opposed to driving through Chicago to get to Lamplight. Lower levels were FULL in Region 1 regionals,

[SillyHorse]

@gailbyrd

Region 1 had a lot of Region 2 people come in as well for Regionals. One reason given was the eastern Ohio people would rather drive to Lexington, VA as opposed to driving through Chicago to get to Lamplight. Lower levels were FULL in Region 1 regionals,

Most of my Region 2 friends went to Lexington rather than Lamplight.

[eightpondfarm]

This has been my observation…that the warmUp rings are the.most.intimitating! And not always nice. Kinda like trying to drive a car around a circle intersection in Italy! NEC has a large outdoor warmUp and i think that is where i will be. And until i get my sea-legs i just won’t venture into over populated warmUps, (because I think it would do us more harm than good)

Both my mare and i are not at all used to the show scene and commotion. For our venture out into it, I will choose a schooling show in that particular large location and hopefully all the space will allow a more calm first go. I’ve already taken her there …just she and me, all alone, for a few hours!! to get the lay of the land and ride in both arenas and both warm ups.

[pluvinel]

@SillyHorse

Most of my Region 2 friends went to Lexington rather than Lamplight.

VHC is a wonderful venue. Great stabling, good rings, good warm-up, good hotels and easy access from interstates.

[dotneko]

@pluvinel

@SillyHorse

Most of my Region 2 friends went to Lexington rather than Lamplight.

VHC is a wonderful venue. Great stabling, good rings, good warm-up, good hotels and easy access from interstates.

I agree with the venue being great. I have judged there several times for different organizations and the hotels have all been bad. The carpeting hadnt been shampooed since the Civil War.

[Knubbsy]

@gailbyrd

Region 1 had a lot of Region 2 people come in as well for Regionals. One reason given was the eastern Ohio people would rather drive to Lexington, VA as opposed to driving through Chicago to get to Lamplight. Lower levels were FULL in Region 1 regionals,

There were also a number of Region 3 folks this year. Still better than last year when the Training AA final had to stretch over two days.

For Region 1 folks, VHC announced this week that all the barns are getting mats! The goal is early 2024, so hopefully, by DAL, we won’t have to worry about the divots in the stalls (or for those with a lot of chrome, orange ponies). Fingers crossed, they don’t replace the stall fronts; I hate the aluminum ones they have in Barn 1.

And on the topic of killing dressage shows - I made up a calendar of reasonable options for my eventing barn in Maryland (we rarely go to PA and rarely venture beyond Leesburg unless it’s to VHC). Across all options (CT, ST, HT, recognized, unrecognized dressage) there are over 100 options, there are over 40 dressage options (many are FADS) and 20 of them are recognized shows. Some do overlap within a couple-hour drive (ERAHC at VHC, Dunmovin at Devon, and VADA/Nova Summer Wind Down I&II at Morven are all the same week - unfortunately for me also the same week at APHA East), but it’s a really nice assortment. I know we’re fortunate to have a lot better options than the middle of the country, so I think it would be interesting to see what regions people feel are dying - I know when I was considering jobs, there were areas that seemed to stop schooling show entries at 2nd.

[gailbyrd]

@Knubbsy

For Region 1 folks, VHC announced this week that all the barns are getting mats! The goal is early 2024, so hopefully, by DAL, we won’t have to worry about the divots in the stalls (or for those with a lot of chrome, orange ponies). Fingers crossed, they don’t replace the stall fronts; I hate the aluminum ones they have in Barn 1.

YEAH on the stall mats. We too (my little group) also despise the stall fronts in barn 1. No good way to hang buckets or fans on those

[pluvinel]

@dotneko

the hotels have all been bad.

Well…maybe it depends on the hotel. I have stayed at the Best Western Hunt Ridge, right at the intersection of Maury River Road, and for cheaper digs, the old HoJo’s up Rt. 11 (Lee Hwy). I haven’t seen a problem…then maybe my standards or expectations for road-side motels are lower than yours.

[ParadoxFarm]

I pretty much quit showing H/J because of the crazy warm-up arenas. So even though the warm-up rings I’ve encountered at dressage shows can be busy, to me it’s not nearly as scary. It’s sometimes more complicated because riders are turning this way and that, but I like it much better than the H/J rings! Nothing like kids on ponies stopping in front of a jump as you’re yelling, “Heads UPPPP!”

[quietann]

@Knubbsy

I think it would be interesting to see what regions people feel are dying - I know when I was considering jobs, there were areas that seemed to stop schooling show entries at 2nd.

Region 8 shows have shifted south and west towards NY and CT. When I briefly showed recognized in the late 200s in MA and NH, there were a lot of choices, but almost all are gone now. I don’t think there are any recognized shows in NH at all next year. I rode at the UNH shows, which seem to be gone. NEDA shows are all on the South Shore now, and NEDA no longer runs the regional championships.

[Knubbsy]

@pluvinel

Well…maybe it depends on the hotel. I have stayed at the Best Western Hunt Ridge, right at the intersection of Maury River Road, and for cheaper digs, the old HoJo’s up Rt. 11 (Lee Hwy). I haven’t seen a problem…then maybe my standards or expectations for road-side motels are lower than yours.

We do the BW Plus Hunt Ridge, too, if we aren’t staying in a camper on site. The breakfast is pretty standard (eggs from a bag, sausage, bananas, apples, oatmeal, and sometimes DIY pancakes), but it’s clean, and the staff are nice. Has anyone tried the Wingate since the sprinkle incident?

[Mondo]

I’m a little surprised that no one has addressed @eightpondfarm’s comment that her trainer doesn’t “show coach.” If you have students that show, you coach them at the show. If you only have one student who shows, maybe that student should find another trainer who can coach them at the show. I can’t imagine telling a student, “sorry, you’re on your own” at their first show. The warmup ring can be a freakin’ zoo. Some people are entitled Karens who don’t follow the rules of ring etiquette, but ignorant newbies can be a hazard in the warmup, too. You just have to keep your eyes up and don’t stop on the rail. And yell “diagonal!” if that’s where you’re going.

My coach of 30+ years once asked me to coach a client of hers for their century ride because coach was going to be at a different show with five other clients. I was happy to help out since I was at the smaller show with 3 of my own clients. She wouldn’t have dreamed of letting the lady do her century ride alone. That’s what a caring coach does. JMHO

[beowulf]

@Mondo

I’m a little surprised that no one has addressed @eightpondfarm’s comment that her trainer doesn’t “show coach.” If you have students that show, you coach them at the show. If you only have one student who shows, maybe that student should find another trainer who can coach them at the show.

My understanding is that poster lives in an area that has few and far between in terms of horse trainers, let alone dressage.

I agree in a perfect world you find a trainer that will come with you to shows. Some gotta work with what they got, though.

[K_VanOlst]

@beowulf

My understanding is that poster lives in an area that has few and far between in terms of horse trainers, let alone dressage.

I could probably name at least 10+ trainers who offer show coaching to students at shows at the NEC, which is where she referenced showing. There are absolutely coaches available in the area. There are three GMOs in Missouri, it isn’t exactly a dressage desert. Parts of the state may have less access to nearby training, but if you have a trailer and are willing to haul a bit, it’s easy to find multiple coaching options.

[Bogey2]

Years ago my young horse was having a melt down at the UNH show, the stabling was half a mile from the rings and he didn’t want to leave the stabling area alone to hack up for my TL class. My trainer was not at this show. Thankfully another competitor offered to walk up with me while she led her horse so we made it to the warmup…in the warmup he was trying to run out. I got him in the ring and he kept trying to buck me off at A LOL. I excused myself, went back to stabling and called my trainer. She hooked me up with another trainer who was at the show who had a ton of young horse experience. She coached me through the craziness and we won both classes the next day! I would have scratched had another trainer not been there to help me!

[beowulf]

@K_VanOlst

I could probably name at least 10+ trainers who offer show coaching to students at shows at the NEC, which is where she referenced showing. There are absolutely coaches available in the area. There are three GMOs in Missouri, it isn’t exactly a dressage desert. Parts of the state may have less access to nearby training, but if you have a trailer and are willing to haul a bit, it’s easy to find multiple coaching options.

Do they have experience with working with mustangs, or ability to take in new clients?

I cannot speak for that poster, but that was just the impression I got from them in other threads. I’m in Region 8 and it’s hard to find people willing to work with a green TB, much less a mustang. Most only take new clients if they board with them. I can understand being in a dressage-rich area but not really having a lot of options to choose from.

[K_VanOlst]

Many would accept haul in clients - the requirement to board to get training isn’t the most common business model in Missouri since so many people have small horse properties (outside of the major cities). Some of the super exclusive high level places possibly, but most of the trainers I’m thinking of regularly have haul in clients showing alongside their boarding clients.

[ThreeWishes]

Agree. There’s been a bit of a pile on @eightpondfarm. Her concerns are valid. Whether others approved of her wording or not. Hopefully she can ask her coach for a recommendation for a trainer who does horse shows that could help her navigate this new experience. One she could meet ahead of time or at least speak to. Having followed her amazing farm and journey with her horses I’d also like to add that she is autistic and faces more than just horse show nerves. And if we’re talking about being welcoming and boosting horse show attendance … wouldn’t a better tact be to be accommodating and helpful rather than judgmental? Just a thought.

[eightpondfarm]

Coach…When we entered this arrangement three years ago…my stated goal was to learn the language of dressage. To have the conversation with my horses phrased in this particular (equitation) language. I told her showing was not my goal. She told me she didn’t go to shows with students. That i wish to try it is ‘on me’ and she will support me, but from afar, and through our lessons.

i’ll think about trying to find a guide through our first foray into dressage showing. Maybe there will be someone. Heck, i found a coach that works great for me, i might be able to find a person?? i’ll talk to coach and see if she knows of someone to point me toward.

good suggestion.

About showing… I don’t know about other people, but for me, a recognized show is non-essential. I can get what I want out of any schooling show with any good judge. I just want an objective critique.

For people who enjoy climbing the ladder and are on a budget… that’s a quandary. I guess over time a person can do that without going to the most expensive venues. Driving further? waiting longer? for a less expensive show would get you there eventually. Vote with your feet you know. But, TIME, well time -with horses- is sort of hazardous. Horses age, sustain injuries.