Dressage at Devon and Warrenton

[okggo]

Can you tell me about these shows for somebody not at all in the show scene? We have 2 horses this year that I think might stand a shot at doing well on the line, one is a dressage type and the other hunters.

My only experience with breed shows has been Morven Park (USDF) which was a good experience, and the USEF series (which I love and will continue to support). I also did a breed class at Upperville, and a local hunter division and both were very negative experiences.

So for Devon - is it mainly for foals who have done well at other shows throughout the year? Would it make sense to go to another USDF event first to see how they like her, or are inspection results/opinions good enough to make the decision? I've heard it's chaotic there, with huge classes and very long waits - does anyone trailer in, or do most people get stalls? Are most foals still with their dams?

Okay - next...Warrenton....my hunter breed show experience to date has been completely crappy. I'm not talking about placements, just the whole experience and things I saw/heard. I remember a really fugly weanling at Upperville that did well because the judge knew the horse and saw it at an event earlier in the year in a better growth spurt, so "gave it the benefit of the doubt." So much for judging what you see THAT DAY. Anyway.....I'm hesitant to give HB shows another go, but we have a filly that I just can't shake off the feeling would do well (with an unbiased judge). I can reiterate, I am a nobody, I have never been anybody, and I have no intensions to ever be anybody "special," and lastly I can't afford a somebody - so it would be me presenting her as well. I hate the though of flushing money down the toilet if I go, and find out the placings are known before we even get in the ring. Could anybody let me know their experience here? Is it fair? PM is okay :)

[acottongim]

I went to DAD in 2004 and had a wonderful time. My horse did very well in the IBC classes and NOT well in the "age/sex/regular" class on the first day. There were a variety of reasons for him not doing well that first day - not the least of which was getting in (from FL) at 11 pm the night before and showing by 8 am the next morning.... not to mention the hurricane that was blowing through (that caused classes to be moved up, I put in the last braid as his class was being called) etc... I am a "nobody" and didn't feel that my horse was unfairly judged. I did take him to several shows in the SE and thought he would be competitive - of course I also had a LONG drive up there and wouldn't have made it if I didn't think we stood a chance. If I lived closer it might just have been "anohter show".

The quality of the horses is awesome and the shopping is great and it is wonderful to get to meet so many other breeders/people.

I am taking my stallion this year for the 3 yo classes (in hand).

The only downside is the stalls and lack of space. I remember things being very tight there and the only exercise my boy got (as a yearling) was hand walking around the property.

[Janet]

I am a bit confused- Warrenton was a couple of weeks ago. or are you talking about next year?

How "political/predictable" the judging is will depend on who the judge is, far more than the show itself.

But, that being said, the one time I showed on the line at Warrenton (I am unknown, handled him myself) I did better than I expected. And, for the classes I watched, I had no major "WTF" moments.

[SidesaddleRider]

I am a bit confused- Warrenton was a couple of weeks ago. or are you talking about next year?

Janet, She's talking about the Warrenton Horse Show, which is Labor Day week/weekend. The Warrenton Pony Show was a few weeks ago.

OP, if you seriously believe that your horse can do well in the hunter breeding, it would really PAY to hire a "name" handler to show them. The fees aren't THAT high, and it can really make a big difference, as they know how to properly present them to cover up any flaws that they might have. I helped a friend one year who was showing, and her mare got moved up from 5th to 3rd, no doubt because of the man who was handling her. But if you want the "full" enjoyment of showing your younster, go for it! If it is a really quality creature, it won't matter who is showing them as long as they know how to properly present them to the judge.

[okggo]

I am a bit confused- Warrenton was a couple of weeks ago. or are you talking about next year?

How "political/predictable" the judging is will depend on who the judge is, far more than the show itself.

But, that being said, the one time I showed on the line at Warrenton (I am unknown, handled him myself) I did better than I expected. And, for the classes I watched, I had no major "WTF" moments.

The Warrenton site says September??

Sidesaddle - that is part of the problem, I dont' know who the "names" are.

[Oldenburg Mom]

My only experience with breed shows has been Morven Park (USDF) which was a good experience, and the USEF series (which I love and will continue to support).

Well, I guess you know how I feel about these shows. Christine has taught me well, as these shows are good for our horses because: we are raising performance horses, not breed-show horses. Yes of course, I want my kids to walk home with the blue. But, I know, that's probably unlikely considering I'm competing against Iron Spring, Hilltop, etc.

Last year was particularly galling as my young man, Mr. Dickens, came in 25th out of about 40. *OUCH* But, I had to keep reminding myself, "Performance horses not breed-show horses". AND, I have to remind myself he was bred to be a jumper, not a dressage horse.

I don't have to go to Devon this year ... but I'm going to go because it's so much fun. And it's good for the horses, especially those that will be regular competitors, to get out and get the ring experience. Because I have regularly attended these shows, *ALL* my horses (even the youngest) trailer well, and none are hysterical about going in the ring. Well, hold on a minute ... little Dickens was a troll at Morven Park with Christine. Having said that, by the last class he had calmed down. Whether or not he now *understands* the game, I don't know—I'll find out at FairHill. But IMHO, there is nothing better than the USDF breed shows, whether you've got a hunter, jumper, or dressage horse.

Well, I hope this gives you another perspective. The most important thing about Devon, however, is trying to get the "Annual CoTH G&T Bash" going. This year ... MONDAY NIGHT, for sure!!:lol:

[SidesaddleRider]

The Warrenton site says September??

Sidesaddle - that is part of the problem, I dont' know who the "names" are.

I would recommend one of the following: Oliver Brown, Junior Johnston, or Richard Taylor.

You'll have to make sure they don't already have a horse in the class, but any one of them will do a great job.

[Janet]

Janet, She's talking about the Warrenton Horse Show, which is Labor Day week/weekend. The Warrenton Pony Show was a few weeks ago.
Yes, I must be brain dead. Sorry.

[Janet]

Sidesaddle - that is part of the problem, I dont' know who the "names" are.

Lauriep here works for/with one of the top ones, Junior Johnson. I would PM her. And I am sure that, if he is already committed, Laurie could recommend someone else.

[okggo]

Janet, I just PMed her, thanks for the tip!

[lauriep]

I would recommend one of the following: Oliver Brown, Junior Johnston, or Richard Taylor.

You'll have to make sure they don't already have a horse in the class, but any one of them will do a great job.

Richard is judging the Sallie Wheeler, so can't show at Warrenton.