Jumper in a dressage show?! Update: Survived it!

[Calvincrowe]

I board across the street from a small dressage barn that holds annual schooling shows. I am a hunter, converting to jumpers....not a dressage rider, in the least. But...I've gone and done it! I entered the show, Training level, test 1.

Has anyone else done this? My trainer is well-versed in dressage, and I definitely know the basics (and that is why I'm in TL, test 1!!!). I've got my test, I've practiced, and I dusted off my dressage saddle that a friend gave me a few years back--and it definitely needed dusting off. But--etiquette? Rules I should know? My boy goes in a D-ring Myler curved snaffle--legal?

Wish me luck! The cool part is, I literally am walking across the road to go show--cheap!!

[Hunter Mom]

I board across the street from a small dressage barn that holds annual schooling shows. I am a hunter, converting to jumpers....not a dressage rider, in the least. But...I've gone and done it! I entered the show, Training level, test 1.

Has anyone else done this? My trainer is well-versed in dressage, and I definitely know the basics (and that is why I'm in TL, test 1!!!). I've got my test, I've practiced, and I dusted off my dressage saddle that a friend gave me a few years back--and it definitely needed dusting off. But--etiquette? Rules I should know? My boy goes in a D-ring Myler curved snaffle--legal?

Wish me luck! The cool part is, I literally am walking across the road to go show--cheap!!

Very neat! One of my Hunter Princess friends did a dressage schooling show this past weekend, and she had a blast! I'm no help on the bits & stuff (might x-post on the dressage forum) but there were lots of people there in breeches & polos. Let us know how it goes!

[lintesia]

Not sure about the Myler... but you can find out on the USDF site.

Remember not to use your voice -- no clucks! -- you'll get penalized for each one! Also, if you have white gloves, they'll be more appropriate than black ones, even if they're inexpensive ones.

I'm hoping to do a set of Training Level tests at a schooling show with my H/J next month and I so need to practice not using my voice!!

[rabicon]

I converted to dressage and c/ts about 1 1/2 years ago. I love it. Pointers are be at the gate a few min. before your ride time or they will move on without you! There is no waiting around in dressage. Not sure about a myler look up the usdf.org site. I believe it has to be a d ring or o ring plain snaffle bit at training level. Sit up where you almost feel like your sitting back if you tend to sit forward for h/j. Keep contact and on the free walk give the reins slowly to the horse and try to get him to follow the bit down. There should be a difference in the gait of the free walk and med. walk. The free walk should be over striding and moving out and free (we have an issue my horse thinks its a break in the test and he can go as slow as molasses lol) No talking to the horse at all. Practice your 20m circles and get the geometry down on that. That will help your scores. Be as close to the letter as possible to transition if you can be right on the letter is best except in the canter at tr 1 you can go between the letters. Good luck and have fun. Oh and also when you enter to go around the ring tell the scribe/judge your number and name and good morning/afternoon and at the end of your test walk on a free rein to the judge stand and tell them thank you. ;)

[joiedevie99]

As long as you are talking about the single jointed D ring Myler with no hooks, I believe you are fine. There are pictures of the legal bits at www.usef.org under Rules, Rulebook, Dressage. That is also where all of the descriptions of the movements are. Remember- just like hunters- no boots or bandages in the ring.

There is really nothing else to know- be waiting around near the ring at least 5 minutes before your time. When the person before you salutes as the end of her test, they will usually let you start riding around the outside of the ring. Don't go in before you hear the bell.

[Calvincrowe]

Thanks so much! My SIL events, and is a source of encouragement (and white dressage saddle pads!:)), but I'm a hunter rider. This is a stretch and that is why I'm doing it.

At Training, I can wear my tan TS breeches, right? This is a schooling show, so I should be good.

The bit is a single jointed snaffle, D-ring. He HATES loose ring bits, unfortunately. I really wish I could get my semi-retired gelding out--he's a rock-steady, dressage-movin' star. Ah, well, my grumpy paint will do the job, as long as the cattle from the farm next door to the show ring are far, far away. He's deathly afraid of them, and I'm pretty sure his "oh crap piaffe" is not called for in this test.;)

[rabicon]

Yes, tan breeches are fine. Let us know how you do.

[TSWJB]

Yes I am a hunter jumper rider and I went to a dressage show about a month ago! Its really fun! And educational. They give you a paper and you have all the points of the test on it and they rate you and give comments. They actually are very useful to help you learn what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong.
I wore all my hunter clothing. Field boots, tan breeches etc. I rode in a hunter saddle. I don’t own a dressage saddle and I rode in my hunter bridle. With a full check snaffle. Do check the USEF website as they tell you what is legal and what is not.
Another thing is know your test. Even though you can have a reader, you should still know your test and know where the letters are too! And definitely practice making good neat circles that are say 20m and good turns at the letters.
I didn’t exactly know which test to start with so I started at first level test 1. I asked for a reader as I told them my horse and I have never done dressage. they said “sure honey what test are you doing? Intro, training level test one?” I said no first level test one and they looked at me like I had 3 heads! The reader said I was brave, but when I came out she said I did a great job! I ended up with a 67%.
Definitely try to practice the tests. It looks easier than it is, but it definitely is fun!

[veebug22]

I wouldn't bother with white gloves at this level and a schooling show, and you don't do dressage. It just tends to draw attention to your hands.

Find out your ride time and then be early. I would be in the warmup ring like 20 minutes before, check in with the gate person 10 mins before your test (when you're a ring steward, it's nice to know the person on deck is in the vicinity and I always appreciate people checking in and telling me their number). If someone before you has scratched and the judge is open to it, they may tell you that you can go early if you would like. It's totally your call, you are never required to go before your scheduled ride time. Ask the steward if they are using a bell or a whistle so you don't get confused between the start sounds in other rings, although this may not be an issue at the show since it's just a schooling show. At a schooling show, if you are more comfortable in your jumping/ap saddle, I would definitely show in that instead. No one's going to judge you for not showing in a dressage saddle at training level in a schooling show. Try to keep your figures and transitions accurate.

You should be fine! Have fun and good luck.

[PNWjumper]

no suggestions for you except to have a blast! :)

[imapepper]

I wouldn't bother with white gloves at this level and a schooling show, and you don't do dressage. It just tends to draw attention to your hands.

Find out your ride time and then be early. I would be in the warmup ring like 20 minutes before, check in with the gate person 10 mins before your test (when you're a ring steward, it's nice to know the person on deck is in the vicinity and I always appreciate people checking in and telling me their number). If someone before you has scratched and the judge is open to it, they may tell you that you can go early if you would like. It's totally your call, you are never required to go before your scheduled ride time. Ask the steward if they are using a bell or a whistle so you don't get confused between the start sounds in other rings, although this may not be an issue at the show since it's just a schooling show. At a schooling show, if you are more comfortable in your jumping/ap saddle, I would definitely show in that instead. No one's going to judge you for not showing in a dressage saddle at training level in a schooling show. Try to keep your figures and transitions accurate.

You should be fine! Have fun and good luck.

Totally agree. Black gloves are appropriate for dressage and draw less attention to your hands. Accuracy is the most important part of any training level dressage test. And I have shown plenty of schooling dressage shows in my very flat c/c saddle and have never gotten dinged for it. Have fun. I love going to dressage shows. I have a friend that lets me show her schoolmaster sometimes and it's a blast.

[JenEM]

I did a CT last year with my mare, and had a lot of fun. I'm hoping to get to one or two again this year, maybe even a small dressage schooling show. The idea of doing Dressage was a little intimidating at first, but it gave us a good opportunity to show off what we'd been working on on the flat, and give my then-greenie an easy excursion off the farm.

I liked that it was very organized, with ride times that were adhered to! It was nice having a score sheet with feedback, not just a number.

Since I was jumping right after, I rode in my CC saddle, which was fine as I saw several other riders in CC/AP saddles. For turnout, I just went with classic, conservative hunter turnout and was fine--dark navy coat, white shirt, tan breeches, and black field boots and gloves. I used a white fitted pad rather than a square one, but if you're using an actual dressage saddle, I think square is probably better (do they even make fitted dressage pads?).

Good luck, and have fun :)

[ImJumpin]

Other have mentioned the no voice. I will add no ear puffs. Something I think a lot of H/J use--especially at shows, but they are illegal in dressage.

Your bit may or may not be okay. I don't think you can use a king d but can use a racing d. You also need to verify that the joint is okay-- if it is a roller it would be illegal. Just read the whole USEF manual on what is okay and what is not.

[Vandy]

Twice this year I have gone to Dressage shows at a very nice facility just down the road from me, and had a great time. Both horses I brought did training level. First time I brought a young QH hunter, and he got a 69% at training 1 - had a great time, and it was a great schooling opportunity for him. Second time, I brought a jumper, and he did training 2 and training 4, I think his better score was 67%...it was nice to see that all the flatwork we train was rewarded right up there with the "real" Dressage folks :D

Definitely ask when you arrive if the show is running "on time". Due to some scratches and well-prepared participants, one show we attended was running about 1/2 hour ahead of schedule. They would have waited for us if we'd needed more time, but in our case, it was nice to go earlier and get it over with ;)

Have fun!

[Calvincrowe]

Update: Today was the show. Mind you, this was my horse's (despite the fact he is 11) 6th show of his life. He was great! I rode at 9:20 and 10:15, so very "hang out and wait" friendly. I literally walked him through our farm, out our back gate and across the street (that was scary--very busy road!) to the show at our neighboring farm. I haven't done that since I was a kid in 4-H!

Warmed up, watched a few tests and in I went. My guy was tense, which makes him short strided, but it was accurate and I got some nice comments. I even got an 8 on one of my trot circles! Not bad for a paint with one week's practice. Our second test was not as good, he fussed in our halt to begin with (need more practice!) and I was early with my transitions twice. Even though this is very much a schooling show, the judge is a regular dressage judge and was quite tough (and that isn't just my opinion alone, but that is fine--I don't want a false view of my horse and me!).

I sure know what I need to work on with my flat work, and that is why I found this such a valuable tool in our training. That and it was fun!

Walked back home, and turned Clipper out on grass--after a head-scritchy session of course.