Dabbling in Dressage with my OTTB

Announcement

It’s official: Knight and I will be going to our first horse show (Lord willing) late February! It is going to be a local dressage schooling show. Why? Because other people from my barn are going and it should be fun.

Fun.

 

I have nothing against dressage. I think it’s beautiful and the foundation for not just great, but GREAT riding. It’s just that I have a very limited dressage background and Knight even less of a dressage background. I’m doing this because it is going to be a “learning experience.”

The Other Dressage Show

Confession: I rode in a dressage schooling show once. Once. Back in the 20th Century. It was not a great experience.

My previous horse (also a handsome bay Thoroughbred gelding with a pretty blaze) had a high score on the nut-o-meter. Translation: he was more of the stereotypical hot Thoroughbred than Mr. Knight my current steed is.

The day of my one other dressage show he was not an out-of-control freak–not in a dangerous way–just FORWARD and not so much on the bit. Details, details.

If we were being judged on uber-extended trot and canter, we would have cleaned up.

To top off my low quality dressage test, I then found a wash rack and was going to hose off my horse. I got yelled at.

“I’m just hosing him off quick.”

“We’re in a drought! You need to use a bucket and sponge!” Talk about culture shock moving from Illinois, the land of plentiful water to scorched earth SoCal.

Sheesh. How was I to know? There was no sign.

The irony is I am such a rule follower (I’m a teacher–c’mon. We live for rules). If there had been a sign, I would have respectfully followed the mandate. I’m not so good at following unwritten rules.

(Note to the ailing horse industry in the U.S.: If you treat people nicer and like less of an outsider, they will flock to your barns and riding programs and nice little schooling shows.)

I don’t own a dressage saddle, but my trainer said I can borrow one. I don’t own a pair of white riding breeches. I have a navy hunt coat and field boots. I guess I don’t mind looking all wrong (with my clothes), as long as I don’t ride all wrong.

Now if you’ll excuse me, Knight and I have some 20 meter circles and transitions to practice. We’ll get back to you soon.

Those of you who have experience competing in dressage, do you have any tips for a h/j rider who hasn’t shown in forever?

P.S. I “met” Susy (and Otis) through the #HorseHour Twitter chat. She is not only a riding instructor in Berkshire, UK, but a talented writer. I was captivated by a recent post “What An Exciting Hack” and felt like I was there as the riding adventure played out.  Additionally, Susy has written a series of books for horse-loving children–the Awelon Tyn Series which can be found on Amazon. 

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like the Saddle Seeks Horse Facebook page!

Thank you for reading and journeying with us. If you like what you read on this little blog, please subscribe!