what to wear to dressage schooling show?

We are considering going to a dressage schooling show in October.
It's supposedly a "BIG" schooling show, as in big deal. I wouldn't
know big from small. At least we have an English saddle... I don't
think they'd let us ride in our western saddles. ;-) We don't have
an English bridle though - do we need a cavesson? We already use
snaffle bits but on western headstalls.

The show premium says they go by USA Equestrian rules. It says polos
or boots are OK so I guess that means not required?

What if I don't want to cut, pull or braid manes? For a schooling
show does it matter?

Now for the humans... It says "English attire, formal or casual,
helmet and boots required". I don't care at all about being
fashionable, I just don't want to be disqualified. :-) So, can we
wear Ariat Terrains or are those not English enough? I assume we need
breeches - is tan OK or does it matter? Can we wear a tee shirt type
top? I mean, what actually constitutes casual English attire?

As for the test we'll be riding, we might do the greenie weanie all
walk, or the intro test, or maybe the training level test, depending
on how things are going between now and then at home. I personally
don't want to canter if I actually show, so that means greenie weanie
for me or intro. Allison can canter but the horse she'd go on doesn't
pick up his left lead all that easily. There is a minor amount of
tweaking that has to be done, but I guess that's what schooling shows
are for.

My working student is going, the one who did dressage a lot for years
and who has box after box after box of ribbons - I've never seen her
show but I've now seen a few lessons between her and her dressage
coach, and even after all this experience and years and years of
showing, she's only doing the intro test. I was surprised at that. I
mean, I haven't seen her ride anything "better" than what they do in
the intro test, but I thought that's just because she wasn't really
"doing dressage" in front of me since I'm her "western" instructor.
She's very compartmentalized that way.

So, advice? :-) thanks!
cindi

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: what to wear to dressage schooling show?
    ... an English bridle though - do we need a cavesson? ... tweaking that has to be done, but I guess that's what schooling shows ... she's only doing the intro test. ... You will choose a black helmet, ...
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    ... It's supposedly a "BIG" schooling show, ... At least we have an English saddle... ... a black coat. ...
    (rec.equestrian)
  • Re: what to wear to dressage schooling show?
    ... It's supposedly a "BIG" schooling show, ... At least we have an English saddle... ... a black coat. ...
    (rec.equestrian)