4 February 2012

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HORSE Magazine



Why are all these shows being cancelled?

Improve your dressage marks

Wednesday 21 January 2009

My thoughts are currently filled with serpentines and circles. I'm preparing for a local dressage competition, so I've been avidly reading through the test sheets, drawing them out and, yes, occasionally running around the living room in an imaginary arena.

I had entered two Prelim tests with May, a lovely 15.2hh bay mare who I am lucky enough to ride and compete thanks to her owners who very willingly transport us to various shows!

That is when the shows are not cancelled, that is. I have just received a message to say that the dressage on Sunday is off due to a lack of entries.

This show has always seemed well supported in the past, so I was intrigued as to why the entries have become so low.

It may, hopefully, just be a one-off occurence. But there has been talk of small shows and riding clubs struggling to keep going as more and more riders choose to go to large-scale competition centres to compete.

And why shouldn't they? After all, particularly during these cold winter months, some riders would rather compete somewhere with a warm cafeteria, large mugs of freshly-made coffee, not to mention the immaculate arenas, large warm-up areas and brand new show jumps.

Unfortunately, this means smaller shows and clubs are not getting the support they need, and quite a few in my area have disappeared over the past year.

Many people start competing at smaller shows, where there is less pressure and they can build up their confidence. Others, who are not lucky enough to have their own transport, rely on these shows as their only chance to compete.

So for me, this weekend I will be back to schooling in the arena. Looking on the bright side, at least it means more time to perfect those dressage tests.

Sarah Woods undertook a work experience placement at Horse