Friday, June 17, 2016

To Show or Not

It is not a secret that I want to show.  My original plan was to start showing dressage when we were ready for first level and 18" for the eventing side of things.  Unfortunately,  neither of these are going to happen any time soon.  If I am lucky I hope to be cantering by the beginning of next year.  But that will still put us at training level.  I also want to make sure our basics are really solid before we start trying to jump, assuming the vet doesn't think it is a terrible idea.  I haven't gotten brave enough to ask him his opinion on that.

Adorable but show ring ready?

I also want to start getting him off property and schooling him.  If I can get him comfortable with traveling and being chill in new places that will help us no be a hot mess (who am I kidding we will still be a hot mess) when we start showing.  This leads me to start thinking about doing some intro dressage tests.  We can easily do Intro A and B.  Well easily is relative...but we could muddle our way through.  There is a dressage schooling show in July that S wants to hit up.  I am trying to decide if I want to A) go and just school B) go and do intro A and/or B or C) stay home and keep putting the money towards more lessons because you need it.  What are your thoughts?
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12 comments:

  1. TrainwreckInTealJune 17, 2016 at 6:39 AM

    My vote is always to show :) but I love showing, so I'm biased, haha.

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  2. Codex DressageJune 17, 2016 at 7:06 AM

    Show! Go for plan B, and if it's a huge hot mess, change it to plan A! It's really just about getting experience off farm and S will be there, so that sounds like a good first outing!

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  3. kaitlyndznJune 17, 2016 at 7:42 AM

    go show!!! your approach is perfect...go with the intent of just going and getting a feeler. I would enter. If stinker is being a stinker, thats why its a schooling show :) most places are understanding and will even help coach you

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    1. EventingSaddlebredStyleJune 17, 2016 at 12:40 PM

      The perfectionist in me is my biggest problem... But you are right there is nothing to lose.

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  4. emmaJune 17, 2016 at 8:38 AM

    here's the question i'd pose: what is there to lose? you'll never know how he'll be until you give it a shot, and it doesn't have to be a high pressure or stressful outing for either of you - that's completely within your control.

    and re: money for lessons instead of shows, i honestly like to think of shows as their own special kind of lesson - there's always something to learn from them, some new experience to garner that has its own intrinsic value.

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    1. EventingSaddlebredStyleJune 17, 2016 at 12:39 PM

      That is a very good point. I know showing is a skill but I never put two and two together. Bonus points for new justification :)

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  5. ShaunaJune 17, 2016 at 1:08 PM

    Going and just schooling is a great way to get experience without pressure. There are no expectations to perform, but you still get the miles. Some shows, you can enter there if you feel like things are going well and you want to give it a shot.

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  6. MostlyHarmlessJune 17, 2016 at 3:31 PM

    I say if you want to show, plan B seems like the best option. I agree with Emma's point that a show is just another kind of lesson. Besides the fact that horse people can rationalize anything it is very true.

    To add more justification - you can practice managing your own expectations and perfectionism at the show too! Win-win-win, clearly :)

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