Virtual Horse Shows: The What, Why and How We Did

A, K, E, H, C, M, B F and X. Those are the letters I was not confident I could remember along with the corresponding dressage test maneuvers for my recent virtual schooling show. “If someone can call out the test to me, I’ll do it,” I said to my trainer and a couple of barn gals standing near the arena.

I have only ridden one dressage test before–that was about a year ago at Galway Downs. You can read about that adventure here First Dressage Test Ever. Horse showing does not come easy to me.

When I was in college riding in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association shows in which we literally pulled the name of a horse out of a hat and rode said horse around a jump course without schooling, my stomach would twist and turn and I’d always need to find the closest restroom more times than I shall divulge.

When I heard I could have someone read the directions for my dressage pattern, I went ahead and registered for the virtual dressage show!

Over on Instagram when I shared this info, I had a number of people ask, “What’s a virtual show?” or “How do you find out about virtual shows?” And a couple people wanted to know how Knight and I performed.

Spoiler Alert: We got firsts in both classes. I shared this with a close friend yesterday. She said, “Susan, that’s great!” to which I replied, “Not hard to get a first when you’re the only one in the class.”

She laughed, “No one needs to know.”

Actually, for one of the tests there was another rider, but she was on a very green horse so there’s that. 🙂

A barn friend with a history in dressage said it’s not about the rank and ribbons, but about the score (which I’m still new to understanding, but I will share that and the judge’s comments with you–keep scrolling).

About Virtual Horse Shows

I found out about this show through my trainer, so I didn’t seek it out, it found me. But thanks to a Google Search, I found this Horse Illustrated article about virtual horse shows. It gives a long list of online horse shows. As you might have guessed, during the pandemic shutdown, online horse shows grew in popularity. I think they are an incredible option for equestrians.

For example, I didn’t have to pay a hauler, pay for a stall, hotel, trainer day fee, etc. It’s a budget-friendly way to ease into or try out a discipline, a simple way to practice for non-online horse shows.

For people who live in faraway places, not convenient to horse show venues, virtual shows seem to be a great alternative.

I had a case of horse show nerves–not as bad as a typical show. I shared my anxiousness with my sister (who came to groom). “Isn’t it dumb I’m nervous? This is basically like taking a lesson, but I’m dressed up and it’s being videoed.”

She commented that it showed I cared and I wanted to do well–both good things.

For those of you unfamiliar with how a virtual horse show works, you register and pay your fees online. In this case my show was put on by the Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association. You don’t have to be a member, but members pay a slightly discounted fee for the classes. The show will be “open” for about a couple of weeks to allow the riders the time to get their videos recorded and uploaded to YouTube.

We have a videographer who’s also a rider at my barn, so she brought a tripod and camera to record all of our rides on the day my trainer designated as the show day. Because I rode two separate tests, I had two signs with my name, Knight’s name, the date and the test. A helper held the sign up to the videographer to identify me for the judge.

I rode Green As Grass Test 1 and Intro Test B. I strategically picked tests where the first trot was to the left as Knight is a bit stiff and resistant to the right.

Funny story: at the end of my Green As Grass Test, when I hopped off Knight and removed the bridle for a bit check, once the videoing ended I was informed the bit I was using was not allowed.

I only own one bit–a simple D-ring snaffle with a French link. I honestly don’t even know how I came to own this bit–it’s the one I used for my horse DC I had eons ago. Knight seemed fine in and I never thought much about it it until. . .

With the revelation my bit was illegal, my trainer scurried off and located one of her bridles with a dressage-appropriate bit. It was a lovely eggbutt bit, gold in appearance and attached to one of those anatomical bridles which I didn’t know anything about except seeing them in catalogs.

The new bridle and bit was a revelation! My trainer, my sister, a couple bystanders ALL commented after the test that Knight really liked the bridle and bit combo. After the Intro test and my small figure of eight right in front of the video camera so the judge could see if I had spurs and check my tack, I dismounted, placed my fingers in the noseband of the bridle so the judge would be able to see it wasn’t too tight. When I took the bridle off and all the sidelines commentary about how much my horse loved this bridle bit, I asked what it was.

Flash forward to today, and Knight and I are the proud new owners of a Schockmoehle anatomical bridle and a Neue Schule bit. I think he appreciates the padded crownpiece of the bridle. I appreciate him being less fussy in the contact. Win-win.

Back to the show results. They arrived via email with a Google spreadsheet. I was thrilled to get a comment “lovely pair with quality work” and “attractive horse.” And I scored an 8 for “geometry and accuracy” for the correct size and shape of circles and turns! For the USDF Intro Test B we scored 73.750%! I’m new to all this but a friend told me that was a good score. Yay Knight! The Green As Grass test we scored 69.197% (should I be rounding up those decimals?)

What we need to work on is improving our steadiness in the contact (which I think will be enhanced with the new bit and bridle), better bend in corners and more freedom and stretch in the free walk.

As someone who showed in the hunter/jumper realm back in the day quite a lot, I have to say I really appreciate the way with a dressage test you receive scores back and can know precisely what to work on moving forward. I’m honestly not a very competitive person at all–I like of myself as a horse lover first and an equestrian second. I enjoy improving my riding and training so I can be a better horsewoman and learn how to be more competent for my horse. I think having the option to ride in a virtual dressage show is awesome, and I hope you get a chance to try it in your chosen riding discipline too.

Others Who Virtual Horse Show

In response to my email newsletter when I asked if anyone else had experience with virtual shows, Vanessa said, “I do online dressage with a company called E Riders here in the UK. All the judges are British Dressage judges so the feedback is great and constructive. It’s handy as you don’t need to leave your yard, or travel far if hiring a arena. Also handy to do if you have a championship coming up, you can then see what you can improve on. 

Mary Lynne from the The Backyard Horse Blog shared her experiences with online horse shows.

“The show I entered was a virtual gaited-horse dressage show via North American Western Dressage. I enjoyed the experience and would like to do more, but I have limited at-home riding facilities. Basically, just open space with uneven ground and a small round pen that is not conducive to doing riding patterns or to filming them. Even so, I keep my eyes open for something that I might be able to enter in the future.”

She even wrote a blog post about her first virtual show experience and then another post summarizing her thoughts about her virtual showing.

There you have it, some insights into virtual horse shows and how we did. I’d love to hear from you. Don’t be shy, leave a comment.

Have you ever ridden in a virtual horse show?

You’re invited to join my email list for horse-centric people like us. Click here to get the scoop about fun new products, horse stories and equestrian inspiration via twice-a-month emails. No spam, I promise.

Trot along with my OTTB Knight and me over on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.