How do you increase entries at a Dressage show?

4 January 2007 7 Comments

Personally, I’d offer an unmounted class. Participants would do a modified test at the walk and “trot” and would be judged on accuracy and turnout. I think it would be a riot.

But in more practical terms, one of the problems in this region is that entries are way, way down. I’m not sure why–I’ve been away for a while–but it’s sad to see.

How would you go about trying to spark interest for Dressage among the hunter/jumper riders? In my area, just about any of the hunter/jumper riders showing 2′6″ or above could put in a decent Training Level test. The 14-17 eq kids could do a strong First Level test–some of them could do a Second Level test, although it wouldn’t be as strong as someone specifically training Dressage.

My point: they have the abilities. The horses are suitable enough. But you don’t see riders crossing over at all.

I’m afraid Dressage is going to die out.

What would happen if there were an Individual Cross-Disciplinary medal? Over the course of the season, riders would have to show in, say, one Dressage class, one Hunter class, and one Jumper class. Would it encourage H/J riders to at least try out Dressage? Maybe. And who knows–they might like it and want to try more of it. Imagine!

Or maybe a team cup? One Dressage rider, one hunter rider, one jumper rider. And/or a Western rider. Each rider declares a division at the beginning of the summer, and all the points they earn in that division go toward the team cup. It all gets magically mathed out at the end of the summer, and the team with the highest points wins. At the very least, maybe it would get people out to the Dressage shows, to cheer on their team members. And if they’re going out anyway… maybe they’d bring their horses? Try a class or two on their own?

If all that’s too much work, though, I stand by what I said the first time: a horseless Dressage class would be a lot of fun. I’d lose points because I toe out at the walk, but I bet I could make them up by doing accurate figures.

Horses and Riding, Generally Horse Related

Comments

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Patricia says 4 January 2007

Halt,

Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De0vL53EDgU

I saw it originally on IGallopOn.

Yrs,

Patricia

Learning Horses says 4 January 2007

I think dressage is hard to start in. Honestly, it has a bad rap. People who have been doing it for a while can be really snotty (although I’ve met super nice people), the price point of a horse is so high, not to mention a saddle or nice head gear. Who has $5K just to get started?

I’d like more casual dressage and schooling where people can learn and grow. It needs to be demystified for people who want to start and for dressage teachers/trainers and riders to remember they too, once were learning.

Gaited horses are also very much excluded and there is a stigma about natural horsemanship. I think dressage is an AWESOME way to connect with your horse. It is good for his mind and body too. And I think it should be a required part of the foundation of any type of riding. I beg my one student to take dressage lessons because there is no better way to learn balance and leg and connection.

But I am FIGHTING the good fight of trainers who won’t email me back, message boards that don’t respond to my posts, and just fighting arrogance in the dressage community. I think it is that way in nearly every discipline, but dressage is killing itself.

And really, there are so many talented horses in the world, just because a horse doesn’t have FEI potential doesn’t mean it can’t do dressage. I did a triathlon. I came in last place in my age group, but I did it and I am a better person for it. I think we could get the same from our horses.

My two cents (or more live $12).

Halt Near X says 5 January 2007

Thanks, Patricia! I’ve seen that video before, but it cracks me up every time. I love the look on the horse’s face at the end.

LearningHorses, I agree with everything you’re saying. I watched one H/J rider try a Dressage test this summer—impeccably turned out, but, yes, in her H/J gear. Well, that’s what she had, right? And it was Training Level. IMO, at TL a CC saddle is entirely appropriate. The judge’s comments about her gear embarrassed me—I couldn’t believe it. What a way to discourage someone who is obviously testing the waters.

It really is too bad more people don’t cross train—and not just between the H/J and Dressage circuit. I think English riders could learn a lot about seat and leg from Western riders. And I know nothing about gaited horses, I’m afraid. But I should.

Argh. Well. One thing I can definitely do is get in touch with the local Dressage association and at least volunteer this summer, since showing isn’t likely on the cards. Undermine from within. Yeah!

(I know what you mean about message boards, too. They’re so weird—they make me feel like the last person waiting to be picked for a kickball team sometimes.)

Patricia says 6 January 2007

Does anyone do the Digital Horse?

http://www.thedigitalhorse.com/

I have thought about subscribing. It seems like it would be a good way to do some virtual practice. 

Halt Near X says 7 January 2007

I’ve heard of the site, but this is the first time I’ve checked it out. Unfortunately, the Flash isn’t playing nicely with my Mac, so I can’t see the examples—but the idea is interesting.

I like the idea of being able to run through the test off the horse—so the horse doesn’t anticipate the movements they way they do when you practice too often. And it would be nice for people (like me) who don’t have access to a full-size Dressage court—a good way to figure out how serpentines and such are shaped in a longer space.

Wish I could see the examples. I’ll have to jump on the housemate’s PC later on today. 

Karen says 1 March 2007

Add a Prix Caprilli class or two they get the attention of a young hunter rider who wants to talk their parents into buying new show clothes. Also the dressage Equitation classes are good because they take the pressure of newbies going in one at a time who never learned their dressage test…plus you get real feedback usually from the judge.

Halt Near X says 19 March 2007

Karen—Just saw your post. Really great ideas—not sure if they do Prix Caprilli tests in this area yet, so that’s something to check up on and suggest if they aren’t. Thanks!

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