With a variety of shows and classes available for all levels of horse and rider, it is no surprise that British Dressage recently recorded an all time high in registered members.

Less than a year ago, I joined British Dressage for the first time, to give a young showjumper some show day experience, without the pressure of having to jump a course of showjumps. He won all of his Intro tests and gained three qualifying Prelim scores, which I later learned qualified him for Area Festivals. His fourth dressage show was Alnwick Ford Summer Area Festivals 2022 and he finished 7th in the Prelim Bronze section. 

Following this positive experience and to make use of my 12 month membership, I decided to register my current horse, too. Hubert 2nd (Bertie) was also brand new to British Dressage but due to my Area Festivals results, I was unable to start at Intro and so Bertie started at Prelim level. He too collected three scores above 63% at his first three outings and secured an Area Festivals qualification. British Showjumping is our first discipline and so we prioritised showjumping lessons over dressage lessons; however, I was able to access a range of training materials online, which were shared by British Dressage and Pet Plan via email in the run up to Nationals, and I utilised what I had learned when training with Bobby Hayler on my previous ride (Kornetto). Due to qualifying quickly at Prelim level, I decided to tick an item off my equestrian bucket list, and so I contacted Gaynor Colbourn, who kindly put some music and a floor plan together for us to try some dressage to music. Bertie enjoys medium work, so I decided to compete at Novice Bronze level. He has collected all qualifying scores for the summer 2023 Area Festivals for Novice Freestyle Bronze, which I am really looking forward to doing later this year. 

Bertie really struggled with a dust allergy throughout winter, which made training and competing tricky. As a result of a prolonged wet winter, turnout was limited and so I was unable to prepare for his Winter Area Festival qualifier, in the way that I had hoped to. I decided to take him to Aintree EC in February – not only because it is a stunning equestrian centre but because I wanted to travel away from my local area to celebrate and relish the feeling of having qualified for something new. The indoor school looked beautiful and the occasion was made even more special due to Horse and Country TV filming live – so our test was on TV! I decided to attend in time to take part in the arena walk in case he was spooky in the arena. This is a really good opportunity to settle horses so that they are relaxed and able to perform to the best of their ability when put under the pressure of doing their test. I warmed Bertie up using the Masta Protech Quarter Sheet, which has infrared technology and helps to keep him softer through his back. He finished 5th in a class of 66, just shy of 69%. We qualified on a wild card place due to our competent score at Aintree, which came as a huge surprise. British Dressage announced all wild card competitors online in March.

I was very grateful as an amateur rider and first timer at a BD National Championship event, to receive such fantastic support from a range of companies. I was proud to represent the equestrian businesses when competing at Hartpury on April 22nd. Cathedral Equestrian, who had a stall at the show, gifted me a stunning black, snaffle Hudson bridle, which really helped Bertie to look the part. Pine Vet Physio not only provided free treatment a few days before travelling to Hartpury but also a branded saddle pad for us to wear for our test. Most horse owners and grooms were battling with rug rubbed manes and half grown out clips, and I certainly had my work cut out trying to get Bertie turned out to a suitable standard for the day of the show! I bathed Bertie the day before setting off on the 4.5 hour trip south. I used the Honest Rider Ultra Shine soap block, which allowed me to massage as I washed away all of the grease that had built up through winter. I then hot clothed his coat with Honest Riders Coat Elixir and treated his mane and tail with Mane and Tail Elixir. His dapples started to shine through in just one wash, which was a huge relief. 

When we arrived at Hartpury, I was pleasantly surprised to find how easy it was to park and locate our stable and competition arena. From a horse welfare point of view, this was really impressive as I was able to unload and settle Bertie within minutes of arriving. The Blue Chip British Showjumping Finals had taken place a few days prior to the Pet Plan BD Festivals and so in places it was quite muddy but this didn’t dampen our spirits and thanks to the leg wraps provided by Supreme Products, Bertie remained clean when stabled. I decided to stable the evening before competition day to allow him to rest after travelling but also so that we could access the 6.30am arena walk. We then used the rest of the day to watch tests and spot celebrity riders (including Charlotte Dujardin!). 

Thanks to a change in the weather forecast on 22nd April, we were blessed with some sunshine, and so I decided to do a final top up wash to enhance Bertie’s bright chestnut colour using the Supreme Products Chestnut Shampoo. I finished this off with the Supreme Coat Serum and Supreme Sparkle in his tail. I then whitened his socks using Supreme Whitening Powder, blackened his hooves using Supreme Black Hoof Oil, and of course he was plaited with brown thread and a lot of Supreme Products Plaiting Wax to sow his very unruly wintered mane into place. I tacked up (of course not forgetting my two bridle numbers, kindly gifted from Dakota Equestrian) and used a hot water bottle to make Bertie’s back as comfortable as possible before I mounted. We allowed thirty minutes of working in. I did lots of lateral work and transitions in this time.

At 2.59pm, we proudly trotted into the arena. Bertie produced an accurate test and behaved impeccably to score 67.08% and to finish in the top half of the list of competitors. Ten others also finished on 67% and so the battle for the top 10 rosette placings was incredibly close. Just 1 percent more would have secured this for us! It is important to note that you are not allowed a test reader or schooling whip when riding your test. I was delighted to pick up my three test sheets, plaque and competition photos. It is lovely to be awarded a plaque for taking part as it is a big achievement to qualify to ride there in such good company. 

As a beginner to British Dressage, it was fascinating to observe how others prepared for the big day. It was common to see the use of headsets when warming up. Riders were given lots of instructions from trainers on the outskirts of the working arena (via the head set) which is not something I have seen when competing in showing or showjumping competitions. I feel very lucky to have been offered this opportunity, which for some people is a once in a lifetime chance. 

Good luck to all partnerships who are working towards their dream of the BD Summer National Championships 2023. Bertie and I will do our best to try to qualify for this prestigious and coveted event. 

Instagram – @samanthaosborneequestrian

Website – Samantha Osborne Equestrian

Brand Ambassador for The Horse Life

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By Samantha Osborne

I am so grateful to the Turnbull family for inviting me to be a sponsored rider for 2022. The venue is outstanding! Not only are the facilities amazing but the staff are friendly and helpful. As well as hosting a vast range of training and competition opportunities for riders and horses of all levels, REC allows customers to hire their facilities too. In this blog, I am going to share some of my recent experiences at Richmond Equestrian Centre (REC).

The showjumps at Richmond are fun and varied. The course is different every time and is built by a BS qualified course builder to ensure the distances are suitable. I have used the outdoor showjumping hire in summer months and the indoor school in winter months. Every time I have been, I have enjoyed a private, peaceful and educational session. I always feel safe at this venue and I believe it brings out the best in both me and the horses I partner as I have pushed myself to progress over bigger and more technical tracks. I feel happy challenging my horses as the surface in the arenas is level and well maintained. None of the horses I have ridden at Richmond have ever tripped or lost their footing on the ground. 

I regularly compete at BS shows at Richmond and so training at venue hires has really helped to settle the mare I ride who gets keen in the large arena. 

Arena eventing hire

The arena eventing course is by far the best course I have ever jumped! It is really creative and varied – from a hand painted packet of Polos to a spotted pig! The family team ensure that the course is frequently altered to ensure clients get to experience a varied course. There is something for everyone as the heights and technicality of each fence is varied. Just when you think they can’t add anything different to the set of jumps, it is guaranteed that a new obstacle will appear – just like the new bank which is placed between the two outdoor arenas, next to the water complex.

I have schooled a variety of horses, including retrained racehorses to my Highland pony. I have had such fun on each occasion but the horses have progressed so much in each session too. The fences are inviting, substantially built and well maintained. Even the water looks sparkling and bright blue making it photo worthy on arena eventing days.

Dressage arena hire

It felt good to get between the white boards to do some lateral work and canter fitness exercises. I believe in keeping a horse’s work varied and so it was great to do some flat work as usually when I put the mare that I jump on the lorry, we often go to do jumping. 

I have used the dressage hire in the past when exercising horses with a friend on a professional yard. Each time I have been, it has been a pleasure to school.

An additional bonus of hiring venues at REC is the fact that you can leave your horsebox in a huge car park that is CCTV monitored at all times. Knowing that your lorry and equipment are secure is a relief. Furthermore, the car park is spacious and flat so you never have to feel anxious about reversing, finding a space or getting stuck! Additionally, there are toilets, a seating/viewing area and a coffee machine indoors, making it guest friendly for those family members you drag along with you as an additional set of helpful hands. 

Check out the Richmond Equestrian Centre website for pricing details and for information about how to hire the facilities. 

Samantha Osborne

Instagram – @samanthaosborneequestrian

Website – Samantha Osborne Equestrian

Brand Ambassador for The Horse Life

The post Richmond Equestrian Centre appeared first on The Horse Life.

As the competition season begins, most of us start heading back out to shows with our horses and regionals are fast approaching for the Winter Championships. But, having a pre-show routine can help make everything run smoothly and be as stress-free as possible.

Being prepared is absolutely key, which is why I like to keep my horses trimmed and tidy 24/7. So whether it’s a scruffy mane or hairy feather, get them trimmed up, then you don’t need to worry the day before.

When it comes to being prepared you can also pack your things ready the night before. Make sure your tack is clean, your saddle pad and boots are ready, and your lorry is clean and set for the day ahead. I find it very useful to have a show day list that you can check off every time!

When it comes to plaits, I do mine the morning of the show but if you know you’ll be in a rush you can always plait the night before. You’ll also need to find what products work best for you, and also choose whether you use bands or thread.

Now that your plaits are done it’s time for the finishing touches! Does your horse have white legs? If so, get some chalk on them to make them shiny white. Add some oil around their eyes and nose, some hoof varnish to finish and you’re arena ready!

My number 1 tip is to feed sugar or mints before you ride, stay away from the treat nuts or there will be brown slobber everywhere!

As important as it is to present your horse well, it’s even more important to aid your horse’s recovery. This might be a massage gun, ice boots or just some electrolytes in their feed, it just depends on your horse.

But most important is to have fun and enjoy your horse, whether you’re an amateur competing for fun or a professional rider. Enjoy and good luck!

Emily Winfield Novoa

EWN Dressage

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Website: https://www.ewndressage.co.uk/

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