In retrospect, it boggles the mind.
I mean, we've had the technology for decades - and still, someone like me has never taken the steps necessary to actually run through the tests at home, video myself from the judge's perspective, and then see how my horse and I actually appear!
Yes, I've had beautiful, even professional pictures done. I've had people video my tests at the show. I've even had videos done at home - except with a proper ring set-up and the camera at C. Maybe I'm the only one, and other people have done videos like these and benefitted immensely before going to the actual show? I don't know.
Anyway, this summer was an eye-opener for me and helped me make significant progress in the art of putting together a series of movements all in a row, smoothly and accurately, with good movement and ever-improving my riding position and effectiveness.
And in the end, who benefitted most? My horse, of course!
Here are the top 7 lessons I learned while stepping into my first virtual shows - at home!
7. Set Up The Ring - Yourself!
There's nothing more educational than setting up your own ring! (Well, after your amazing barn owner sets it up for you the first time!)
First off, you need to figure out the actual measurements (or do some quick math to be as close as you can with your riding space). Then, you need to make a rectangle with straight lines - either with poles, or some kind of markers such as upside-down buckets, pylons, or even jump standards. In any case, you need to delineate the perimeter of the ring!
THEN - you get to figure out where the letters go!
Trust me, you get better and quicker at the set-up each time you go through it. But what a lot of insight you get, even if you're a veteran show rider. Lining everything up gives you so much more understanding of the ring geometry and the spacing of the circles and various figures.
As a sidenote, I noticed with pleasure as measured dressage rings popped up at local barns that never had them before! What a great way to inspire people to ride dressage more often!
6. Goalzzz
I know not everyone is goal-oriented like I am. I don't expect everyone to jump on the showing bandwagon, but let me tell you, there's nothing like a deadline to help me schedule rides and structure practices and put in the effort. I have a tendency to just go with the flow in my regular rides, and that might mean NOT being focused on improving a movement or making timely progress.
5. Practice Makes Perfect
One of the best results of doing the virtual shows at home is that you get to SEE HOW YOU DID before you send in the test. What an amazing concept!
You might think that checking your test will give you an advantage, and maybe that's actually true. But when every competitor has the same advantage, there's no one to benefit more than the rider and the horse!
That's because as you probably know, feeling something in riding can be very different from what it looks like. And every single time you watch your own video and how it looked, you learn something new!
Like how straight your entry center line REALLY IS! And how straight your halt is, and the trot off after the halt! Or how about the (un)evenness of your circles? You get my drift.
So then you try, try again. You trouble-shoot, develop your skill, and guess what? You improve!
4. Focus on The Steps
One of the strengths of the dressage "system" is the fact that the tests are based on a developmental, structured "training scale" and you get to ride at you and your horse's level, no matter how "beginner" you are. In fact, if you are a first-time dressage rider, starting at the beginning is a huge benefit because then you get to develop step-by-step.
And if you're more advanced, you get to check in with the tests to see exactly where you are at this moment in time, where your strengths are, and what holes you have in YOUR program! See what I mean?
3. Get Fit!
Aye that's one of the greatest benefits of doing your show at home! Add the set-ups, the practices, the lessons and schooling, the video takes, and the re-takes - and you AND your horse end up on a conditioning program without even knowing it. What a great side-benefit.
2. Ready For In-Person Shows!
And then there's the virtual feedback you get on each test. Never before have we had access to our local judges, and alternatively, INTERNATIONAL judges the way we do now.
I first participated in the Stepping Stone Virtual Dressage Series. Marissa took her usually in-person local shows online, used our own Cadora tests, and our own judges. It was so great to see familiar tests and judges participating, so I decided to take a chance and give virtual showing a try. Not only was I practicing the tests I would have ridden at a Cadora show, but I also got direct feedback from the actual judges who would have been there. In this case, I know exactly what I need to work on to improve - and be ready for the in-person shows as they become available.
And then I discovered Dressage Online International - a virtual show series based out of Great Britain. Anna, who is the brain behind the tech, has brought together competitors and judges from around the world! She uses custom-designed tests that loosely follow the British and USDF dressage levels, all the way from walk-trot to the "Elite Invitational" for FEI riders. PLUS there's an in-hand class! You can compete in one class, or participate in up to six shows for League awards, and even join an international team of 4 riders as part of the Team Competition. All from the comfort of your own barn. The international community that is developing from this initiative in incredible!
1. Personal Growth
And in the end, this is what showing is all about.
By the time I'd practiced and had feedback from both the local and international show circuits, I felt that I was not only better prepared for in-person shows, but I went through the same important stages of development that is brought on by this thing called "horse riding".
First, I put emphasis on developing my horse's way of going, his balance and swing, and the effective communication that is required by the test of your level. Developing better movement is always better for the horse!
But then, there was my own development, that is arguably more important (THE by-product of all things horse): the opportunity to keep improving my self, the stick-to-it-ness required to get over the learning bumps and mistakes, the desire to know how to make riding a pleasurable and healthy experience for my horse. For me, that's where everything begins and ends.
Now I wonder if virtual shows will stay after the lockdowns. Because I, for one, will be looking to keep working on the tests - from home! Who wants to join me?
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Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
