Preparing for the BIG Shows

By Cathy Echternach
Morgan Dressage Association Board Member

So - you want to start competing your Morgan at the "BIG dressage shows", a.k.a. recognized or AHSA/USDF sanctioned shows. What do you do? An AHSA/USDF recognized dressage show is run under the regulations of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and the rules of the American Horse Show Association (AHSA). The judges hold cards (ratings) that are approved by the AHSA/USDF dressage standards and the show management is held to the rules and regulations of both of these organizations. Where are these AHSA/USDF horse shows? How do you enter them? How do you learn the rules? The best way is to join your local dressage club, the USDF, and the AHSA. These organizations publish an omnibus, or schedule, of dressage shows listed by regions throughout the country, provide entry forms, and publish a rule book as well as a dressage test book.

If you are interested in competing in AHSA/USDF dressage shows, ideally you have experience in dressage and have competed in some dressage schooling shows. Schooling shows give the horse and rider a good introduction to the show experience and overall atmosphere of horse shows without the pressures of a larger show. Schooling shows and the advice of your instructor should give you a good idea of what level you are ready to compete at in the AHSA/USDF shows

A valuable prerequisite for the competition experience is participation in a regular training process. A good lesson and training program with a competent trainer is an integral part of the horse's and rider's showing experience. A good trainer will help you pick your debut dressage level, troubleshoot problems in training and showing, and assist you and your horse as you move up the levels over the years. Your trainer will also assist you with learning the appropriate rules, entering the shows, and deciding what shows are best for you and your horse.

Next - how to look the part at the show. Good turnout of yourself and your horse demonstrates respect for the sport, the judges, and the other competitors. For all levels and competitors, a clean horse, clean tack, braids, and clean saddle pads are a must. At Introductory, First and Second levels, a blue or black hunt or dressage coat, a derby, hunt cap, or velvet safety helmet with harness, white or light britches, and black dress or field boots are appropriate. Gloves (black or white) and a stock tie or collar with a pin finish off the outfit. Black dress or field boots are both allowed, and while brown boots are permitted they are not particularly acceptable. No half chaps or chaps are permitted. Paddock boots with jodhpurs are permissible, especially on children; however, when 14 years or older, tall boots are advised. Hair should always be in a pony tail, bun, and hair net - not loose and showing. If you choose to wear a dressage coat, white or creme britches and a shirt with a stock tie and pin should be worn. This is standard attire for Third and Fourth levels along with black dress boots. A derby should be worn with this outfit, but a hunt cap or velvet safety helmet can be used. A top hat can also be worn at 2nd level or above.

FEI level turnout (Prix St. Georges and above) should include white or creme britches, shirt with a stock tie and pin, black dress boots with spurs (a rule), black or navy dressage shadbelly with yellow vest points, a top hat and white gloves. No exceptions or variations are allowed at the FEI level. With all showing, gloves are a must! Black or white gloves are allowed until FEI level, at which white are required. A whip is optional and there is no penalty for carrying one, except in certain qualifying classes. There is a rule governing whip length (see AHSA rules) and your whip should be measured to make sure it is not too long. For your horse's turnout - squeaky clean of course!

A pulled, braided mane is most acceptable for sport horse divisions (dressage, hunters). A long mane braided into a French braid, close to the crest, is also acceptable. Braiding is required. The horse's nose, chin and legs should be clipped, and a short bridle path is traditional. The horse's tail can be natural, or trimmed at the top and cut straight across at the bottom. A braided tail is also acceptable.

For Introductory through Third levels, a plain snaffle bridle is used. A plain, drop, flash, or crank caveson is legal. A list of legal snaffle mouthpieces, and acceptable metals and covers are covered in the AHSA rule book. No pelham or kimberwicke bits are allowed. A leather bridle is mandatory, however, brown or black rubber or web reins are legal. At Fourth level, a snaffle or double bridle is permitted. At all FEI levels a double bridle is mandatory. The saddle may be any type of English saddle, and synthetic saddles are permitted. It is advisable to have your bridle and saddle leather match in color. The saddle is preferably a dressage or all purpose saddle which encourages a proper seat. A square or fitted saddle pad may be used, preferably in black, white, or crme - no loud colors. A small horse, such as many Morgans, should not have a huge saddle pad, so try to fit the pad, saddle and horse appropriately.

Before the show, a warm-up routine for you and your horse should be devised. This routine should prepare you and your horse for your test, but not overtire or overstress either one. Movements in your test should be performed and corrections made. Prior to the warm-up, a short hack, or hand walk, to familiarize your horse with his new surroundings is advisable. This will help to relax him. If you have a perky or high strung horse, a long (45 minutes to one hour) warm-up with lots of relaxing stretching, trotting and cantering is suggested.

Sometimes this type of horse might need a short lunging session. Lunging equipment is limited to side reins, no draw lines or tie downs. A quiet horse probably only needs 15 to 20 minutes of warm-up - lots of up transitions and forward to jazz them up. A tense horse needs a try at both warm-ups. Sometimes a long warm-up will relax a tense horse, sometimes it will make him worse. At times, a short ride early in the day, then a break, then a short warm-up works best. Try to evaluate if your horse becomes more relaxed with his warm-up, or more tense. This will help decide the warm-up pace and routine.

When your test time comes, make sure you take your time, and do easy work in the warm-up around the competition arena before you enter at "A". Let your horse see the judges and build his confidence with easy work. Ride around the whole area, if possible, and try to pass the judges in both directions. Don't rush to enter, and always wait for your signal (the bell or whistle). Tests from Introductory through Fourth level may be read. There is no penalty of any type for this. The rider should know the test, but if a reader keeps the rider at ease, use one.

Here is a brief summary of some rules you need to know regarding the competition arena.

When it's time to ride your selected dressage test, you have 2-3 minutes after the end of the previous ride before your ride begins.When the rider in front of you salutes at the end of their test, you may enter the warm-up area immediately around the competition arena - which is designated by a chain or fence.
You may not enter the competition arena prior to the whistle or bell, but must enter it within one minute after the whistle or bell is given.
Competitors must stay at least 20 meters from the competition arena prior to their test if there is a class ongoing.
Prior to the start of the show, horses can sometimes be shown the competition arenas from the outside only. Horses can only enter the interior of the competition dressage ring for their class.

Once the test begins, remember to ride! The show strategy should be the same as for training - good riding in general. You need to finesse and present your horse well, but you must give aids, make subtle adjustments, and even give correction. In a recognized show, don't over correct or make a fuss; however, use of the whip or spur is fine. Never use your voice inside the arena - this is an error - 2 points off!

The most common mistakes seen at shows are usually tension related. Don't psych yourself out because it is a larger show. Remember we all have bad rides and some happen at shows. A show is just one way to evaluate your horse's training and is mostly for the joy of competing. Keep perspective, do not rush, be there on time or early, have your equipment organized, and above all, relax, enjoy yourself and have a good ride.

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The author, a charter member of the Morgan Dressage Association, is a professional dressage rider, trainer and teacher who lives and works in Germantown, Md. Cathy has trained and competed successfully on many breeds, including Morgans. She currently competes her Morgan gelding, Whippoorwill Ebony (aka Black Tie) at Grand Prix and was ranked 21st in the United States at Intermediare II in 1999.