Beginner to dressage

[nicolaj]

I would like to start dressage, at prelim level or lower if such exists!

Not sure where 'nice' places are to go and take part in comps. Worried that all the horses and riders will be WAY ahead of us.

Just want somewhere friendly to 'break us in'.

Any ideas based in Lichfield, staffs so looking locally.

Thanks for any help or advice.

[Bay Mare]

Hi

I can't help with places as I'm not in your area but ask around the riding schools as many of them do unaffiliated competitions at the lower levels.

You'll find that most of these comps are quite friendly and you certainly won't be outclassed. At my old school they regularly had unaffiliated tests and also did special days for riding school clients so you were riding the school horses with people that you probably know from the school anyway.

Some places will do walk and trot tests but otherwise will generally start at Prelim which is walk, trot and canter in basic school figures (20 metre circles etc). They're not 'difficult' as such and are pretty accessible to most people (doing them REALLY well is another thing entirely :D). You should have a go, you're obviously interested and it gives you something to work towards.

All the best and enjoy!

[shirley]

For unaffliated shows in your area to www.ridingdiary.co.uk and then press events page. You need to put in your area, what discipline you are interested in and month and then press go and you should find a number of unaffliated dressage comps within this area.
I only started dressage several months ago, but bit the bullet and jumped in thinking if anyone says anything it is their problem not mine. My cob looks good when he is turned out (even if I say so myself), he is not as fine as the great looking dressage horses there, but what the heck he is mine and I love him and I want to try some dressage tests. So we have done, people look and may even say something, as long as I do not hear them I do not mind. There will always be someone better than me, so what. I am there to have a go and see how we can do things. I had learnt my test, paid my money and I am as good as others. We have not done badly - but has given us lots to focus on with my horse instructor - and having this has bought on my riding as well. Dressage is about how you and your horse go together. So have a go and take the comments as they come - not too seriously as judges vary a lot, but over several tests you may be able to see something that could be better and worked on at home together.
Have fun and Good luck.

[mu0ljk]

Hi, likewise I'm afraid I can't help with places as I am in Cheshire which is probably a bit further than you want to travel.

But, I did my first test last month - I was really nervous like you, worried that I would be awful compared to everyone else but I wasn't and I had a really good time and I'm planning on doing another at the end of this month!

It has also improved my riding skills with him and it gives you somehting to focus on - so don't worry about being outclassed - just prepare for the test and go for it - oh and enjoy yourself! ;)

ps, try tack shops or the buysell, places like that for adverts?

[nicolaj]

Hi all

Thanks for your replies!

I've found somewhere (Beaver Hall) that does 'have a go' dressage, which sounds ideal, the canter moves can be done in trot if necessary and they also have a class for 'green horses' under 6 years, so we'll probably do that as well!

[Lgd]

And when you've had a bit of practice, you can do Section A Prelims at affiliated dressage without you or the horse being registered.

Easiest way to find them is to go to www.britishdressage.co.uk and click on competitions and then schedules. you can then search within a set radius from your post-code (although beware that it does it 'as the crow flies' )