I just read about THIS and think it's a wonderful idea.
You sign up online for a dressage test, video yourself riding that test in the comfort of your own arena, and submit the video for judging! There is a fee, but you also get an actual ribbon if you win.
This particular program is in the UK. I wish someone in the US would put something like this together, using the existing FEI standards, of course...!
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
18 comments:
It sounds like fun. You and J. should do it together. I'll provide the ribbons.
Love it - I'll help however I can :)
Arlene, j would be perfect for something like this - let's see what she thinks...
Beth, what fun - we can have a painted class!
that sounds like a lot of fun! i'd give it a try. i'll have to read further about rules and such, but it seems like a cool idea. especially since there aren't many dressage shows in our area....
I'd love to see an "in-hand" class, too :) We'd have to write our own test for that one, eh.
j, I was thinking of creating our own - we'd need to find some judges.
beth, i've done entire dressage tests in-hand, just to learn the test myself. :)
i have no idea how, but i'm game. i have been thinking to myself for years that i'd like to start my own organization/show series (you know, with real standards ;-) but i couldn't imagine how or who would join. but maybe something like this would work...
I don't know exactly how either, but it seems like all it takes is a website (or a free blog), and some organization. The videos could actually be posted to youtube or something.
I guess the only cost would be paying a judge to view the entrees and then the cost of buying/mailing the ribbons.
Wouldn't it be great to do a spring/summer series? No hauling in heat, no big entry fees, you can ride early or late depending what works best for your horse, etc.
And with the right judge(s) the feedback would be so useful.
I'm totally game to do what I can - set up the blog, etc.
we should definitely talk more about it. i think it would be fun to host and to ride. i wonder, would it just be a schooling (unrated) series, do we petition the USDF or USEF to consider it a real show, or do we want our own org with rulebook (no rollkur, etc.) that people can join, use standard test or create/modify our own, etc...? too many ideas running through my head at the moment. i'll have to look through the other site for better ideas, but it sounds like it could be great.
j, husband says website is better than blogger, and there is software to allow for uploading videos.
my thought is begin with standard tests (or we could use sylvia loch's if we join her classical riding club) and judge according to existing standards, which would disqualify things like ldr and rollkur, and harsh riding. i'd want to allow bitless bridles.
i personally wouldn't care about the usdf or usef status, but others might - but that will force adherence to their rules, which sort of defeats the purpose of this.
squeaky, little voice requesting some training level, walk-trot, plez for I've RA and can't ride rigorously" :) I think think this should not only be educational, but mostly FUN - I a big proponent of laughter :)
absolutely, Beth - my feeling is that especially at this point of the year, the training level tests are good for getting all of us back into shape!
I know many people want to test at the highest possible level they can manage, but my view is that the tests reflect the training scale, and working from training up is always beneficial.
I also like the idea of doing some tests (of our own design, I guess) that incorporate versatility skills (a la Linda Hoover). That adds fun and also helps horses gain skills that make them safer to ride - and enhances the rider/horse partnership.
freestyle to appropriate music is one of my most favorite to watch, be it dressage, figure-skating, gymnastics, or whatever :) I think it is where discipline and practice meet joy and imagination :)
OH! I hadn't even considered musical freestyle - we could finally do the one we've been choreographing for the little man! (we might have to petition for a bareback class until daughter gets a new saddle for him!)
heck, billie, if we're setting it up, we'll just put in a bareback dressage test....that'd be a reaall test for me :) Bitless also works for me :) And, I like the idea of casual clothes, too - as, quite frankly, I'm NOT a show person, and won't participate if I have to buy anything beyond a safety helment :) Though I've seen some costume dressage that looks like the folks were having tons of fun :)
I may be tooo causual for what you folks have in mind :) But then, I'm more about informal fun, than stuffy dress-up....maybe a by-product of never going to a prom - LOL !! All my extra money always went to horsey support :)
Actually, I think on the original website they don't allow show clothes b/c they don't allow show tests to be submitted for the online tests.
I don't own tall boots OR a show coat, and like you, am not eager to spend money on that when I have about 3 tack items on my list that are more important. :)
Post a Comment