• I bought a measuring tape with meter marks on it this year. But last year
I used a tape measure in feet and had the meter conversion written on
paper. I know how many of my footsteps are in both one and ten meters
(3.2 and 32.8 feet respectively). This way when I go to set something up I
don’t always need a tape measure.
• If you board your horse perhaps the barn owner will not want markers
left in their arena. Be creative and think of something small, lightweight,
stackable, and colorful that you can transport and set up both at the barn
and at home. Here is a simple way to set five markers that will allow you
to practice some common elements. Take one of the markers and set it in
the center. Then set the other four markers like a clock (12, 3, 6, and 9).
From that center marker step off 10 meters to 12 o’clock, 10 meters to 3
o’clock, 10 meters to 6 o’clock, and 10 meters to 9 o’clock. Now you can
practice riding 20 meter circles or on days at home, when you can’t ride,
you can walk them. You can also practice riding straight to a marker and
halting squarely between two makers. You can take those same five cones
and set up one long 60 meter line of F, P, B, R, M or K, V, E, S, H. The
combinations are endless.
• Make sure your horse can do the maneuvers with the transitions. The
transitions, for the most part, need to happen when either your horse’s
shoulder or your leg are beside the marker.
• Practice knowing what 45 seconds is by learning to count in your head.
You have 45 seconds to start your test once you hear the bell or whistle.
• Have your tack, your horse, and your clothing clean. Nothing needs to
be fancy. We use the same tack for dressage, daily use, trail riding, and
showing ranch classes. For dressage we do not use a breast collar or back
girth. We have shown in just a work pad and sometimes we put a show
blanket over the work pad. We show in Wranglers, clean boots, a long
sleeve shirt, and a helmet or neatly shaped cowboy hat if allowed. If we
want to look a little more cowboy we ride in chinks. We use plain bridles
and cavesons. You can do silver and bling but once again everything we
use we also use on a daily basis, for trail riding and in ranch classes. It is a
great way to save money.
Attending Your First Show:
• Find a schooling show close to home through local or state dressage
groups. Read the prize list and know the rules as well as if you need any
type of proof of vaccinations or Coggins. Helmets are often required. Enter
before the closing date.
• Check your ride times about five days before the event. Plan on what
time you need to arrive so that you have plenty of time to get checked
in. Checking in will entail going to the office and picking up your bridle
number. That bridle number needs to be on your horse any time you are
leading or riding the horse. Also ask in the office where the schooling and
warm-up areas are located as well if there is a place to lunge if your horse
needs it. Please remember do not lunge near the show arena. It is also
worth mentioning that unlike a typical western horse show there is no riding
in the dressage show arena at breaks or at lunch. Sometimes they will
allow you to lead your horse around the outside of the ring, but not always,
so make sure you ask. If the facility has a helmet rule you must wear the
helmet when you ride.
• In regard to the bridle number we use a headstall with an ear piece. The
bridle number fits in that slot of the ear piece perfectly. When we show we
put it on the right side and we make sure we go past the judge’s area with
the number to the judge. Before we went to our first show we practiced
with the round part of a rosette ribbon as the hook on the back is the same.
• You and your horse also need time to relax as well as warm up. Watch
a few tests so you are comfortable with the sound of the bell or whistle.
During that observation you can look for things like quarter lines and any
area that might upset the horse. Watch how the judge salutes so you know
their signal. Some judges stand up and some do not. Let the warm up ring
person know you are there and find out if the tests are riding on time. If
multiple arenas are being used determine which is ring 1, ring 2, etc. It is
always your job to be on time and know which arena you will be riding.
• Be at the warm up arena two tests prior to your test. You can calculate
this out by looking at the ride times. I wear a watch to help me keep track
of time.
• When the horse before you finishes and rides forward on loose reins then
you may start your warm-up. Make sure you do not interfere with the previous
rider if the judge is talking to them. If the warm up is outside the arena
you can walk, trot, and canter/lope around the boards but first you need to
check in. Ride up to the judges’ area and say ‘good morning/afternoon and
say your number”. You don’t need
to pause. The judge is busy writing comments for the last horse. The scribe
will get your number. If the warm up is inside the arena you also check
in and ride around the boards. You may also cross the arena or make a
circle. When the bell/horn/whistle sounds you have 45 seconds to come in
at A and start your test. Make sure your center line is straight, your horse
stops square, and you put the reins in one hand before you salute. When
the judge salutes back begin your test.
• If you make a mistake during your test you will hear a whistle. Stop and
go right to the judge. The judge will explain what happened and have you
resume at a certain point.
• After your final salute, with the judge saluting back, walk straight forward
a few steps on a long or loose rein and say thank-you. If the judge wants
to talk to you they will. If not just turn and continue to WALK out. Try to stay
off the track as the other horse will be warming up.
• After your ride congratulate yourself and reward your horse. Cool your
horse down and relax. Your test scoresheet and results will be available
about 20 minutes after all the horses in your same level and test have
finished. Use those score sheets, with written comments, to inform and
form the basis for your continued training with your horse.
If you are a DIY person who is considering trying a western dressage show
you now ‘know what we did not know’ but have had a great time learning.
Our adventure into western dressage has been eye-opening and everything
we had hoped for and more. We are challenging our senior brains
with an event that does not take all day. We have found that setting goals
has helped us find success no matter our scores. We have met many great
people and all of them have been giving with their time and advice. This is
one sport that is not about ‘beating the competition’ but rather doing your
best and improving. We have seen all sizes, shapes, colors, and breeds
of western horses as well as all ages and abilities of riders including many
DIY. Western dressage has a level and a place for all riders and horses
along with being the perfect complement to trail riding and ranch riding
classes. It gives the rider great mental stimulation while helping them
improve their riding and their horse’s training.
About The Author
The author (Karen Kent) and her husband of 40 years (Steve) are both in
their sixties and are retired from the field of education. Life-long horsemen
of more than 55 years (each starting with ponies when they were eight
years old and later meeting through 4-H) they have successfully shown
and trained their own Quarter Horses and have bred and raised champions
in AQHA, NRHA, ApHC, and NSBA. Enjoying their horses, on their
seventeen acre farm in Ohio, they ride year-round in their fields without the
benefit of indoor or outdoor arenas. They enjoy trail riding in the state parks
as well as showing in ranch classes at local events.
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