1st Winter Dressage Competition

19th October 2024

One of the yards I ride at and have lessons are having a winter dressage competition series. This is open to everyone and advertised the local riders but had the advantage that they would also hire horses to their riding school clients. This is a winner, another thing I can do without owning my own.

So I looked at the schedule and noted that I could either do the Intro- walk and trot or Prelim or Novice which both have canter in. Unfortunately if doing a canter test I would not be able to do the Intro tests. In the odd time, ok once that I have entered an Intro I do feel a little bad, not that I am a great rider but I feel that I should be at least doing the Prelim tests and the Intro is there for real novice horse or riders. So enter I entered P2, I did consider for a brief moment entering the Novice test as well but decided was no where fit enough to do that. After looking at the test that was a wise decision there was about half a dozen strides between the canters and what seemed like a lot of canter.

Anyone who does dressage that less than 5 minutes to do a test doesn’t seem much but you soon discover how fit you are.

So my aim- make it to the end of the test hopefully breathing and remember where to go. Previously had them called but wanted to do them on my own.

I was given Wilson, who I had ridden in lessons on 3 previous occasions in lessons. He was a super star. We did a wonderful test, I accomplished my aims and remembered where I was going. I was also breathing at the end and did not give up half way through the canters. I was pleased when I came out and done what I had set out to achieve.

To my amazement I got first place, I certainly did not expect this, it was a good size class with some lovely horse and rider combinations