Spin off from H/J: Thefts at Dressage shows?

[Anselcat]

There's a thread on the H/J forum about tack and supplies being stolen at H/J shows. Seems like it is a common problem.

Which got me wondering about whether it's different at dressage shows. I've never had (or heard of) a theft at a local dressage show. Nor at the (few) recognized shows I've been to. No problems at the small barns I've boarded at (not real 'show barn' types).

I did have one friend who's saddle was stolen at a clinic held at a big (multi-discipline) boarding barn.

So have I been lucky or naive? Or is it different in the dressage community?

[Velvet]

Maybe the difference is that we're more careful with our eqiupment. ;) I'm paranoid and keep things in the car or locked in a trailer. Nothing is left overnight at the facility, unless it's in a locked trailer. During the show, someone is with the horses and equipment almost every minute. If not me or a student, then often the person next door to your horses--whom you get to know a bit first. You try to make friends and look out for each other.

The only things I've heard of being stolen are buckets and stall picks.

Either we're more careful, less vindicitive, or just too cheap to buy the good stuff--I'm not sure what it is, but eventers are pretty much the same and I don't hear about things like that going on.

[Peggy]

The only thing I have ever had stolen at a show was white full-seat breeches. Once at an event (but we blamed in on the Trakhener show that was being held at the same facility:winkgrin:) and once at a dressage show. In the latter case, I did leave them in the bathroom when I changed, but they were gone when I went back a few hours later and they hadn't been turned in to the show office. Maybe someone was trying to tell me something?

Not saying that it doesn't happen at HJ shows, just my experience. My observation in general is that more stuff is left out at HJ shows. Dressage and especially event people are likelier to be on their own, without an extra stall, and so they haul equipment back and forth and lock it up in their car or trailer at night. Hence, it's not there to be taken.

[daisyduke]

I was at a National show in September. On the 2nd evening of the show, they had a banquet with dinner, awards, wine/cheese and entertainment that would be attended by a large amount of people. They made an announcement throughout the day to remind participants to lock your tack in your car, trailer or stall. Apparently tack had been stolen the year prior while most participants were receiving their awards at the banquet.

[daisyduke]

I donate brooms a couple of times a year. Last year I had a broom that was broken about half way down, missing 1/2 of its bristles and had red duct tape all over it. Amazingly, it was taken.

[coloredhorse]

Another difference may be that many of us haul in for dressage shows, ride our tests, pretty much hang around our horses and "stuff" in between rides, and go home immediately after we are done. Even when hauling in at hunter shows, I find I spend a LOT more time there, which often leads to some boredom-induced wandering around and watching people ride. I'd theorize that this gives a thief an extra opportunity to slip in.

[Peggy]

Forgot one. I did have a square jumper saddle pad stolen at a HJ show. The person who took it was stupid enough to use it at the next show while riding in the same class I was in, so I went to their grooming stall when they weren't around and stole it back.

[mp]

Forgot one. I did have a square jumper saddle pad stolen at a HJ show. The person who took it was stupid enough to use it at the next show while riding in the same class I was in, so I went to their grooming stall when they weren't around and stole it back.

:lol: Good for you.

Never had anything stolen at a dressage or breed show. But we lock everything up and except between midnight and 5 a.m., there is always someone hanging around.

[flshgordon]

I think it is more common at H/J shows for people to have large tack stalls and leave stuff overnight. For dressage shows, I don't even get a tack stall and keep everything in my trailer or vehicle overnight. No use tempting anyone!

[Sandy M]

I've only once had something taken while at a dressage show. Lesson learned, and now I lock my tack room or, if I've had a friend accompany me, always make sure either the friend or I is at the trailer.

The one theft was over 25 years ago when there weren't so many HUGE horses around (i.e., big WBs). I took my eventer Appy to a dressage show, and while I was showing his 84" Baker Blanket was taken from the bed of my truck. I often wondered if whomever took it had even LOOKED carefully at it. There were few horses it would have fit at the time. It was even a special order when I got it, since so few tack stores carried that large a blanket in stock.

[Fallbrook]

I think it takes at least 4 people to show one h/j horse (trainer, rider, groom, braider) and it only takes one "staff member" for a dressage horse :D. Perhaps it's just the sheer number of people hanging around the stabling :confused:

We seem to have left a dressage whip at every show facility on the east coast, but that's the extent of our losses and it's entirely our own fault.

[Dressage Art]

The only thing that was stolen from me, was my whip that I left leaning on my horse trailer. When I unsaddled my horse, whip was gone. But may be somebody really needed a whip right away? :confused:

[Fallbrook]

The only thing that was stolen from me, was my whip that I left leaning on my horse trailer. When I unsaddled my horse, whip was gone. But may be somebody really needed a whip right away? :confused:

Perhaps it's the same phenomenon as socks in the dryer?

[Nancy!]

I only realized that I had lost one saddle pad when I went to pack for the next event. Called my friend who was parked next to me to see if she had an extra pad and she left me a message that she didn't but would bring me one. Get to the show and yes, it turns out she did have it. Hubby packed up what we were drying on the fence, took it home and washed it. :D:lol: I kept telling her I was going to keep parking next to her.

Nancy!

[ACMiller]

I've only had a leather halter, lead rope, and hooks stolen at a show a couple of years ago.

I do always get a tack stall, but I lock that sucker up and I don't leave anything in it that would set me back too much $$$$ if it went missing (bridles, boots, jacket, helmet, saddle, etc.)
Everything that might be eye-candy to a theif goes with me to the hotel/home, or gets locked up tight in the trailer that has a hitch lock on it as well.

I even latch my horses stall shut with a clip incase they decide to play Houdini in the night.

[neVar]

i had a few thing stolen from my trailer 3 years ago- leather halter (stubben brand new with tags still on it- though my horses name plate) valena boots (yes brand new too) i didn't feel to comfortable at the facility (exibition grounds during the fair) so had left them in the trailer rather then use them. they were stolen during thedya from the locked trailer :(