A Step-by-Step Guide to Entering Your First Dressage Competition

The Entry Form:

Time and care spent filling out your entry correctly will ensure it is accepted.

Number of Tests to Enter:

Show day is stressful on both you and your horse. Bear this in mind when you feel tempted to ride as many tests as possible.

Although the USEF Rule Book (DR119 paragraph 2) permits up to three rides a day at Fourth Level and below, limit yourself to two. Schooling show management usually won’t let a horse and rider combination ride more than twice anyway.

Consider your first test as a warm-up to get that terrifying feeling over with and your second one will be more relaxed.

Here’s another important reason to limit the number of daily rides: you need to memorize your tests, and two separate movement sequences are more than enough to retain, especially if you’re nervous!

Also: you are allowed to have your tests read out. A friendly face and voice at your side during that first show will help. You should know the test by heart, but having it read aloud will reduce your anxiety and let you concentrate better on riding your best.