March 22-24: Thunderbird Gateway Dressage Show
June 15-17: Touch of Class Dressage. (Also @ Tbird)
July: Canada Cup Dressage (@ MREC)
September: Pacific Regional Dressage Championships (@ TBird)
Before you think I've gone all super accomplished and fancy, yes, they are rated shows at nice facilities, for horses and riders I associate being in another stratosphere than Midge and myself.. BUT, for normal people like me, they offer EC Bronze level classes concurrent with the EC Gold upper level and FEI tests us Canadians associate with the "fancy" shows. Since the judges and amenities are the same at these shows regardless of your EC license level, it makes sense for me to save money on entries and memberships by attending the bronze classes as long as they're offered (I think until Second Level, then I have to suck it up and purchase a gold membership). So, in short, yep, showing rated, but only just, lol.
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| Hey, those two look familiar. If I was doing the website advertising I might have picked a more accomplished pair for the opening image for my dressage show page. Maybe even someone who doesn't have a big drapy outside rein and above the bit pony. Just sayin. |
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| Won't lie, I'm wishing for a nice warm day and a dry XC course right now. Bottom pic is an old one, Bridget and Ginger serving as jump wings, spring 2016. Top pic is both of our first event, also 2016. Never too old to try something new, right? |
Other than that, we're keeping on board with monthly clinics with my coach, plus I'll likely trailer to her barn the week before our shows for a couple of extra lessons.
Of course, we've got a few local fun days I always attend. There are always a couple of trail challenge/games days, a monthly group trail ride, and of course the annual poker ride weekend. I'm in for all that because variety is good, and there is little to no cost for local club members to attend.
A little further afield, we have a couple of percent days and clear rounds days...basically those are the ones local to my coach's barn and 'just' one ferry ride away. I'll tag along to those with EC's crew anytime trailer space and my schedule/finances permit..
2018 is hopefully going to be one of big variety and lots of fun! No big goals moving up wise, basically show First Level until it's boring, maybe delve a little into Second, but mostly lots of just getting out there and doing all the things.
That sounds like a great schedule. I also will be doing the bronze in the bronze/gold shows. There are so few shows here I am not sure why I even need to show 'gold'. Other then higher cost for my license I don't know what else I get for it.
ReplyDeleteI think here at second level they stop offering the bronze option. For training/first, the only difference I can find is that a bronze license doesn't allow you to submit your scores for national awards, which I'm not too worried about!
Deleteyay on a plan!! :) Sounds like a good one....and one that is not too crazy ;) I cant wait to read all about it. March will be here before we know it!
ReplyDeleteIt's coming so quickly already!
DeleteGood luck showing! Are you doing first level? Do the Canadian tests look different than the US?
ReplyDeleteExact same tests, thank goodness!
DeleteAnd yes, first level to start the year!'
Deletesounds like a solid plan to me!! very exciting to be setting your sites on the rated shows too, even if it feels intimidating. tho as far as i can tell, the only difference between the horses and riders who show rated vs those who show local/schooling is that willingness to step up and enter at A at the bigger shows. you guys totally got this!
ReplyDeleteI so wish that was true here. In my limited experience, there's a huge difference in the quality of horse/rider at the rated shows here. Definitely a peek into how the other half live :) Its cool though, everyone was shockingly friendly and nice.
DeleteGood luck! Warm days and dry XC courses sound like a far away dream!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, I'm about done with boot sucking mud and darkness :)
DeleteSo exciting! and really, March isn't all that far away! (winter will end, right? ugh).
ReplyDeleteI always need more time to practice...and yet, I'm so ready for spring!
DeleteSo exciting!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how you and Midge do this year!!
I need to do a post on this because it's hilarious. In the last couple of years we've ridden maybe 30? eventing dressage, training level, and first level tests,schooling and rated, all different judges, all different places in our training, very different results ribbon wise, and yet I'd be willing to bet money 20 of the 30 tests were scored between 64 and 65%. So, long story short, I bet we'll get 65% in our tests this year, lol
DeleteI’m so excited for you! Also, that’s sounds like a way cooler system than the opportunity classes we have. If I could do something like a bronze membership I totally would!
ReplyDeleteI was pleasantly surprised by all the things a bronze membership allows you! I think it's smart really - a good way to introduce people to the sport affordably and at a friendly level of competition, while still being surrounded by all the higher end things to aspire to.
DeleteYou have a really exciting schedule planned and I'm looking forward to following along!
ReplyDeleteI will have to do at least one show with jumps for you!
DeleteOh, I love all the fun you're planning this year -- and VARIETY!
ReplyDeleteVariety is what keeps it fun for us both. I get too intense if I focus too hard on one thing :)
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