Team Musical Dressage.

[Sue]

Anyone entered the BHS Regional Team Musical Dressage competition for Riding Schools and Livery Yards? We did ours today. We've been practicing for weeks but as it was for teams of four it's been very difficult to get everyone together so we've tended to practice with just two at a time. We all got together on Friday night and it went quite well. Today went reasonably well although as ever not as well as in rehearsals.

We were a team of coloured horses - see my picture - and they all looked very smart plaited up and so did we with tinsel for ties!!

We'll hear in a couple of weeks how we've done as the judge has to go to other yards to see their entries - I'll keep you posted!!

[Elfin]

Ahhhh wow, sounds exciting! I hope that you did well, sounds like you did!:D

[heland]

I haven't done a Musical Team Dressage before...Sounds great fun though!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you did well:)

[Sue]

It was exciting if a little scary at times!! Four horses all in the arena at once and trying to avoid each other, but keep together - if you know what I mean - can feel very claustrophobic.

We had trouble at first as the horses didn't like getting too close to each other but after a while they seemed to get used to it.

We had to show walk, trot and canter on both reins and not do any movements above novice level. It was good fun putting the routine together and, although we did have a few cross words from time to time, by and large it was a team effort!!

I'll keep you posted.

[Mike]

Not done it for competition but for the past 2 years we've done a musical drill ride at the Court Equestrian Open Day. Great fun and a lot to be got out of the training in terms of timing, control and being aware where others are. If you thought 4 was claustrophobic, we had 10! Especially fun when cantering counter to each other.

If you have 4 or more riders that would like to school in a different way, do try it, a lot more fun than working on your own.

[larri]

It's brilliant fun and brushes up your co-ordination and timing skills no end. I used to do displays ranging from 2 - 8 riders
Again like Mike it wasn't for competion, but at shows and clinics. If you have regular lessons with a bunch of you then it's a really fun thing to introduce - makes lessons much more exciting!

[MadWoman]

Sounds great fun! We do something similar, although without the music, in our cavalry displays, where we have up to about 12, all riding knee to knee at all paces demonstrating drill manoevres, all one handed as we carry swords in our other hand. Wheels in line abreast are great fun, trying to keep the dressing exact, and smoothly going from column to line and back, and all turning on the forehand together is a lovely feeling. Of course we throw in a little melee, cabbage-chopping, and cantering around in pairs whilst fighting as well, which you probably wouldn't find in dressage to music!

[fionahogg]

Sue, how did you get involved in this? It sounds like fun!

[MadWoman]

It's great fun, Fiona! I ride with Sir William Waller's Lifeguard of Horse which re-enacts a harquebusier regiment of the English Civil War in both displays and battles, and also has a dragoon troop. We can use our own horsees, but most of them are supplied. Have a look at the Waller's Horse NR members photo page and see what you think.
Do drop me a PM if you want some more info - we are always on the look out for new members!

[Sue]

Well believe it or not everyone we came 2nd out of the North West and North Midlands region!!!!

I'm still on cloud nine!!

[Elfin]

woo hoo! Well done!

[muzzy]

Congratulations!!:D You must still be sooo pleased!!

[heland]

Well done Sue!!:)

[Mike]

On the topic of drill rides, I just added a new article (http://www.newrider.com/How_To/Riding_Tips/drillrides1.html) with great animations in them.

[ridingstar]

Good article. Enjoyed the animations, though there were some near misses!