Tuesday June 6, 2023
For National Pony Club updates and information please go to pcuk.org
Dressage

WHAT IS DRESSAGE?

Dressage is about showing the Judge that you can get your pony to do what you want him to do, when you want him to do it. You and your pony have to follow a set of instructions laid out in the Dressage Test. A Judge marks the test. They give you a mark out of ten for how well you carry out each instruction. At the end of the test the marks are added up and the winner is the pony and rider with the highest score.

The good news is that you have probably already started doing some dressage!

When you are riding at home and getting your pony to do the things you want him to do you are already practicing the basics of dressage. To improve you and your pony, you might want to have lessons with an instructor. This includes the lessons that you have at a Rally, where you will get help with your riding which will make the pony go better.

Your Dressage Manager is Isabel Meadows (07415381899 izzmeadows@gmail.com)

I am an experienced Pony Club Parent and have been involved with the Dressage since 2008 and have watched on as the Atherstone Branch has become more and more successful in this discipline at all levels. Whatever your level and whatever your aspirations are I am here to help you every single step of the way, so please get in touch.

 

DRESSAGE WITHIN THE BRANCH

ACHIEVEMENT BADGES

There are several Achievement Badges that link in with the Dressage from Mini to those aimed at C+ level and above. Mini Sequence of Footfalls, Dressage Markers, Riding on the Lunge, Fitness, Plaiting, Rider Nutrition, Sequence of Footfalls and Understanding Training. We aim to cover as many of these within the Branch Programme as we can, so look out for them.

INTRO & COMPETITION BADGES

Introduced by the Pony Club the Badges are designed to give members a better understanding of how the structure of Dressage Competitions are organised, what members should wear etc. We try to incorporate these Badges into the First Steps and other Dressage Rallies.

RALLIES

We have a variety of Dressage and Flatwork Rallies throughout the year to suit every member.

  • FIRST STEPS – These rallies are aimed predominantly at younger members those on and off the lead-rein. Also a fantastic introduction for new members or even older members with new ponies.
  • FLATWORK/DRESSAGE RALLY -These are open to every member throughout the Branch irrelevant of whether you have an interest in competing in Dressage Competitions. We use a variety of Coaches and Trainers and members are grouped within their abilities. If you are thinking about taking Pony Club Tests these are also a great way to improve your riding. They are also a chance to let your Manager see where you and your pony are, which can help them decide which level may be suitable for Area Competitions.
  • JUDGES VIEW – These are mainly aimed at those competing in the Area Competitions in either Dressage or Eventing but we try to open them out to everyone. Members will ride their test in front of a Judge then spend around 20 minutes going through the test with the Judge, working on how they can improve their marks. They then ride the test again at the end.

COMPETING IN DRESSAGE

Everyone who can walk and trot off the Lead-rein has the chance to compete for the Branch throughout the year and sometimes you don’t even need to leave home!

  • THE ONLINE DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIP  has tests ranging from Walk/Trot to Open Level and is run through Dressage Anywhere. Members video themselves riding the test of their choice and upload it to the website to be judged in one of the monthly competitions. Placings will be awarded and a score sheet marked by a list Judge will be provided. It’s also a great opportunity to read the Judges comments while actually seeing the test as they did, which can provide a great insight into how to improve marks in the future. Those with the higher marks will also be invited to take part in a yearly Championship with some great prizes on offer. Please visit www.dressageanywhere.com
  • INTERBRANCH there are a number of Dressage Competitions held by Pony Club Branches throughout the year where members can compete as representatives of the Branch and form part of a Team. If you are attending one of these please let your Manager know so we can see if we can put a Team forward.
  • WINTER LEAGUE DRESSAGE running alongside the Winter League Showjumping, this series will help members improve their ability, enhance their experience and enable them to gain confidence.

There are three stages to the series:

  1. Preliminary Rounds are held between October and March all over the country, to enable competitors to qualify for their Area Competition
  2. The 19 Area Competitions will take place between March and April for those who qualified through the Preliminary Rounds
  3. Those who were successful at the Area Competitions will go forward to the Championships.

We will let you know of any Preliminary Rounds in the local area and keep you up to date with news of the Area Competition and Championships. Please let me know if this Competition interests you.

  • AREA COMPETITIONS Held in the summer months this is our major competition of the year. Members are entered by the Branch. Those who wish to be considered for a Team must let the Manager know as soon as possible in the New Year. You need to make sure you and your pony are rallied up and get to some Rallies so we can see you and your ponies together.

There are four levels at Area:

1. The Regional Championship (formerly Grassroots)

2. Novice

3. Intermediate

4. Open.

Please have a chat with your Manager to see what level would be suitable to work towards.

  • CHAMPIONSHIPS For those members who are successful at Area the next stop is the Pony Club Championships the highlight of the Pony Club Calendar. Your Manager will help those members who qualify get to the Championships and extra training opportunities will be arranged.

BUT WHAT IF YOU DIDN’T QUALIFY BUT STILL WANT TO COMPETE AT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS?

Well you can! Firstly there is the Dressage to Music Classes which are open to all, even family members. So there’s something for everyone. Novice, Intermediate and Open plus Pairs and Family Pairs so you can even ride with your Mum, Dad, Auntie, Uncle, Sister or Brother!

For the more experienced members there is the Elite Dressage Class which will be a British Dressage Medium Level Test.

Lastly there is also the Musical Ride where a group of eight riders form a group ride putting a performance together in fancy dress and their choice of music and theme. It’s great fun and fantastic to watch. Please let your Manager know f your u would like to be involved.

DRESSAGE TESTS

For all dressage tests please visit The Pony Club Website here.