September Show Diaries Dressage Anywhere Report

Fresh from our August Dressage Anywhere debut I was ready to compete again and to return to the test arena feeling more confident. I decided this month to enter a Veteran Class and once his passport was submitted the entry process was the same as the other classes. Salvation is 22 so I selected the Intro Class for horses aged 20+ .This test was a new one to me, Intro B. I’m familiar with the test as I have coached and judged it but I knew that some of the movements would be way out of my current comfort zone. I think that part of the appeal for me of test riding is the insights you gain into your stage of training, your communication as a partnership and your horse’s preferences. I chose to enter a second Intro Class, deciding to present IntroC because I had really enjoyed riding it. There were movements I knew I could present better having read the feedback from August. Entry decisions made I familiarised myself with the test patterns and set a day for recording. 

On show day I decided to ride Test C first because it was fresh in my mind from the last competition and I had a clear feeling in my mind of how I wanted the trot work to feel. I warmed up briefly in trot after quite a lot of walk work and gentle suppling exercises because I knew I had a limited reserve of energy for the actual test riding. 
Salvation seemed to light up as we turned onto the centre line and I felt his confidence rippling through his energy. He was holding my hand and I simply needed to smile, breathe and remember where we were going. The 20m circles flowed with a purposeful trot that I focussed on keeping in a good rhythm. Salvation was still enthusiastic and I was very grateful for the walk work allowing me to reset my position and focus my breathing.  This time I wasn’t too nervous about the serpentine and encouraged Salvation to flow through the turns concentrating on my task of keeping my balance to help him maintain his. The test finishes in walk and I maintained my concentration to allow the walk to breathe and find our way to each required marker.
At the final halt and salute I was in that lovely place where you know you and your horse have showcased all that you have been schooling to the best of your ability on the day. It is so important that competition tests are a continuation of your schooling and I’ve always remembered the advice not to change how I ride or the way of going that I seek in order to second guess what a Judge might be looking for. This mindset has helped me stay true to my training programme over the years. 

After a good break and a very short sequence of warm up transitions it was time to present IntroB. This test has several questions in it that we were perhaps leaving our comfort zone to answer. This is no bad thing. It was not such an amazing feeling to present this test, it was more of a learning curve. I was anxious about the trot stretching circle simply because it was my first time presenting it in test conditions. I had included the movement in my schooling sessions on the build up and as it turned out I need not have worried. It went ok. The whole test felt as though we did not disgrace ourselves but I was still in two minds about submitting it for judging. Dressage Competitions however give you one attempt and I made my mind up that it was respectable enough and would likely gain valuable feedback. 

Uploading tests is easy. I marked my videos in my phone favourites file and checked which test was which before I went to upload on the website. I am sure I’ll slip up at some point and get them mixed up but I took my time and gave this task the same focus as presenting the test in the arena! Then it was a case of being patient for the feedback. It really didn’t take long before the email arrived to say my test IntroC had been judged. 
Scoreboard nerves kicked in and I clicked through to my scoresheet this time. I was stunned. 73.48% and a new PB I was fairly certain though in that moment I was eager to read the comments. The Judge wrote as though she had been riding with me. I am certain that she had insight into how it felt to be in that arena with such a special horse.

Not long after my second email arrived and this time I was mentally preparing myself not to crumble if the mark was terrible because I reasoned I knew it felt average and not up to our usual standard (after 3 tests I have a clear vision of what I’m searching for..) I’m competitive. I always have been, never at the expense of the horse because as super motivated as I am, the pure drive I have to care for horses is a core value I do my best to uphold. At this point Humpty of course was grazing happily unaware of the PB or the test sheet waiting online, 66.52% Not world beating but not a disaster and the feedback and marks gave me a clear idea of what was needed from me to boost the score. 

A great show experience and the next part is waiting to find out the results. It doesn’t really matter when in the month you enter because the Judge team’s experience and clear system means you will get a fair score. So it’s down to personal choice. I was early this time and it’s fun knowing you will not be feeling pressure as the show deadline approaches. On the other hand it’s really helpful to have the flexibility to plan around the weather or a lesson perhaps. I think it’s really important that our competition plans evolve alongside our schooling programme and that we are clear about our goals for the partnership we are building with our horse. 
How lucky we are that the tech is available to allow us to connect online in ways I could only imagine at the start of my dressage competition journey. 

3 Things I’m taking forwards.

1. Plan the show day to fit in with what’s happening at your stables so that you can feel calm whilst laying out the arena and filming your test.
2. Every volunteer camera person is probably dreaming that you will buy a robot camera or at least a tripod.  Have a look at Pivo and remember to claim my affiliate link discount using code ALISONKENWARD
3. Remember that every test ride is an opportunity to learn that goes beyond presenting your best efforts. Go all in though because on those days when you get close to the feeling you want to capture forever you will be reminded why you love Dressage. For me it’s the opportunity to have an intuitive conversation with my horse.

Have you tried online Dressage competitions ? I’d love to know what your test highlights were. If you have yet to try a test competition tell me where you are in your Dressage Journey. What does Flatwork mean to you?