I'm taking the plunge

[bexj]

I'm entering my very first dressage on 4th March. Having never shown, or been to a dressage comp, I'm not sure about what to wear, how to dress Molly or even aware of any rules and regulations.....so....this is where my lovely NR friends come in.

Me....

Have beige jods, lace up boots, and leather gaiters. Black leather gloves, and a vented plastic hat. I don't have anything to wear on the top half....:eek: Any recommendations please? Am I allowed to carry a schooling whip?

Molly, has hair, lots of it. Her mane is past the bottom of her neck and is very thick. Her tail is nearly at her ankles. She's not native, but is cobby, and has feathery feet. Do I really need to pull plait and trim? I currently ride her in a dutch gag, but I'm guessing that's not legal either.

Rules, regulations....no idea....help!

Thanks:)

[Pink's lady]

Ooo good luck. It'l be grea fun. Go determinded to enjoy yourself regardless and you will.:D

Assuming it's just local dressage?

For you -
pale coloured jodphurs
long boots/matching colour short boots and gaiters (or even just clean chaps)hat (of a sensible colour/silk)
gloves

For the top half you will need a jacket. It can be tweed or black/blue. If you're going to buy one I'd go for tweed - you can wear it for everything. Have a look on ebay. If you can't get one you'd get away with smart black sweatshirt. You will need a white shirt. You can wear a tie or a stock, up to you really. If you have a tie you'll beed a buttoned up collar shirt. With a stock you don't even really need a shirt. I would go for a pre-tied stock - soooooo much easier. And a nice pin in it.

Molly - leave her mane as it is or put it into a spanish or running plait if it'll go. It doesn't really matter, as long as it's not in your way. Her tail can be left natural to but you could plait it if you wanted (tis fun:o). And have he feather all washed and sparkiling - she'll look stunning and flashy. For dressage it really doesn't matter as long as she's clean and smart.

However her dutch gag has to go - you can't ride in it. She has to be in a plain snaffle bridle with no poll action. I would try her in a hanging cheek snaffle (I think they're dressage legal) and get schooling.

Tack should be matching (i.e black and black) and clean. A plain self-coloured saddle cloth/numnah or white. She can't wear boots, martinggale etc. She can wear a flash.

Can' think of anything else at this time of night.

Just go and enjoy yourself. Appearance shouldn't matter as long a your clean and smart. Your flashy dressage moves should be so wow-ing that they don't notice what she's wearing;)

[bexj]

Thanks Mel, I hadn't thought of the Spanish or running plait, and of course, i remember seeing LGD's Tavia in one now, Excellent, don't have to chop it all off!

I think Moo just needs a darn good wash! Thanks for the advice about the bit too, i'll dig out a hanging cheek snaffle at the weekend.

our flashy dressage moves should be so wow-ing that they don't notice what she's wearing or alternatively stomping around the arena, with her head in the air, or worse still, her two front feet:eek:

[Rarah]

Good for you Bex!!

I thought I was the only person on here who had never done any showing - can't really offer any advice cos I know nothing!! (but I do have a brown tweed hacking jacket if you don't manage to pick anything up suitable before the big day.

Get practising and good luck!. :)

[andreaB]

hi

you'll be just fine

i obviuosly know where you are going & what the standard generally is

you will need a jacket , the venue insist on one & won't even let you not wear it when its sweltering!

you can carry a schooling whip , it's eventing dressage where you can't

& molly will be fine au naturale ( minus the mud!) just make sure she is nice & clean

are you doing the prelim? plan to hang around for the novice?

[bexj]

Thanks Sarah, I'm glad I'm not the only one too! May take you up on that offer, if I can't find another. I've got one in the cupboard, but it seems to have shrunk over the last couple of years:o

Andrea, thanks for the tips, it's helpful to know someone who knows the venue. I don't know what we will be doing yet - I may go with someone else from the yard, but if I do, then I will have to pay for a box and driver, which costs more the longer you are out. If I am by myself though I should be a bit more flexible. Will let you know though:D