|
Joining a Dressage Association
|
|
|
In my previous article I mentioned the USDF (United States Dressage Federation) website http://www.usdf.org as one source of information about local shows. But in order to enter these competitions you need to become a member of your local GMO – Group Member Organization. While being a local riding club, your GMO is affiliated with the USDF, so you automatically become a member of the national dressage federation as well.
Is it worth doing this? Why not just go to a show run by a local barn or riding school?
You may be lucky and live in an area with a lot of riding establishments which put on schooling shows throughout the year. But if you want to compete on a regular basis, you might find the choice fairly limited. Joining your local GMO will give you access to many more showa.
Another advantage of a dressage association is the quality of competition. With so many members, the association has the resources to enlist good judges and a large volunteer force to maintain high standards of show management.
As a member of a USDF riding club you also have instant access to a wealth of information and contacts. By going to shows regularly you’ll meet the same competitors and ground stewards. It’s a good way to make friends and creates a more relaxed atmosphere when you’re competing.
There are the added benefits of clinics, newsletters and the USDF magazine.
The typical cost of joining a club is under $50 per year, with each class costing about $20 to enter. (A ‘class’ is a group of dressage riders competing at a given level.)
My own riding association has an award winning website which allows you to download free copies of dressage tests and the rules of dressage. It even has a glossary of dressage terms. This is all information you need whether you decide to join an association or not. Go to www.pvda.org. You’ll also be able to view their schooling show form, which is a useful example of a dressage show entry form. (I'll be looking at filling out the entry form later in this series.)
If you’re worried that you might not enjoy competing and don’t want to spend money joining an association, go to some local barn shows first. You can always join your local riding club later if you get the dressage bug!
Next I’ll be talking about riding attire and permitted saddlery for dressage shows. |
|
|
|
t a s
 MOD
thing sound alot different in america than they are here. Comps seem harder to access or something
thing sound alot different in america than they are here. Comps seem harder to access or something
|
Dec 24, 2009
• 1,717 views
|
|
|
|
|
More News by EquestrianLady
|
|
The thought of that upcoming show may make you nervous, so try to remain calm and remember - this is supposed to be fun! Here are some tips on preparing both you and your horse in the weeks leading up to a dressage competition. ...
|
|
It’s normal to feel nervous about riding in your first dressage show, so here are two ways to get you and your horse used to the environment before actually competing. Take the mystery out of dressage competitions by first going t ...
|
|
Once you’ve decided on a competition and the level of dressage test you want to ride, you need to send in your entry. A late, incomplete or hard-to-read form risks being rejected, so it’s worth taking the time to do this properly. ...
|
|
If you present a neat and correct overall appearance, you'll put the judge in a good mood when you ride into the dressage show arena. It's not that difficult to do if you follow some basic rules. The clothing requirements for a sc ...
|
|
Licensed shows are run by the United States Dressage Federation (USEF) and are very formal affairs, with classes from Training through Fourth Level, plus the very highest ones of Prix St. Georges through Grand Prix. You need to be ...
|
|
If you are proficient at walk and trot but not canter, you can compete at the Introductory Level. There are two tests to choose from and both require a 20 meter circle in trot. Work on relaxing your horse by asking him to move for ...
|
|
Over the next few weeks I’ll be talking about dressage. Among the topics will be: how to ride dressage, finding the right level for you and your horse to compete at, the best type of show to enter and how to prepare for it, plus t ...
|
|
|
