Have the courage to step outside your comfort zone!

Yesterday was one of those days that way exceeded my expectations – what an incredible but terrifying day!! The easiest thing I could’ve done was kept doing what I was doing……. which was mainly breaking, riding and coaching (mostly in show-jumping/eventing!) So, picking a goal to compete in a different discipline (Dressage) was really outside my comfort-zone!!! It would take months of ‘learning and re-learning’ and then doing that in front of a judge and other very respected competitors. I guess when I was coaching about mindset plus the technical training this was really going to put that to the test!!

My first Affiliated Advanced Medium Dressage Competition run by @Horsesportireland and @DressageIreland for the Autumn Development Series held at @Greenogueequestrian came up pretty quickly…. for both of us! Sal (Sir Donnerhall Skaggerak) was imported back in November 2019 from Germany by owner Aisling Reynolds. Initially he had quite a delay getting him into consistent work due to complications with a tooth extraction and once we started working him in May2019 I think it is fair to say, he wasn’t as ‘schoolmaster’ as sold. Not in a bold way more in a Green way. He had competed solidly for about 2 years at Elementary and then when he was for sale he did 4 Medium tests but without Half Pass established (His temperament, mediums and changes are great so he was really forgiven). Quite a step up for him too to be going out at Advanced Medium and he really rose to the challenge!

What are my learnings?

1) For years I’ve heard people say ‘Dressage is for those who are too scared to jump?’ (often by dressage people and even heard it yesterday!! 😊) but actually my experience of that ‘Centre Line’ is quite like doing your first 130!! You need courage and a lot of training to put yourself out there and be judged by not only the judge but a lot of people competing at this and higher level that you really respect!

2) The other thing I’ve heard for years is that the Dressage scene isn’t that welcoming? Well, I can honestly say I couldn’t have felt more welcomed and supported @dressage Ireland. Everyone from Jane Avril and Clare helping us sort out entries to Mark Ruddock on the day with super encouragement and @sean burgess even videoing the test for me (M&S Dressage). Not to forget Aisling Hanlon of @Equestrian Antics who captured our first outing so well.

3) Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know – get advice and ask for help!; it takes hard work and discipline to teach a horse new moves and then get it established enough for him to be confident doing it in a test environment. Sandra Blake Farrell was a tremendous support from my test preparation lessons to even double checking the double bits and all the tack and giving the last-minute pep talk before we went in.

4) Sal really benefited from the Show-jumping and Dressage approach combined Something I think really benefits Dressage horses is how the Show Jumping helps them express over fences which helps them with their confidence in the Dressage ring.

5) Lastly, enjoy the day – or what is the point?!

And what was the Hollywood ending?

Well, we placed 3rd in a competitive Advanced Medium field and we had a qualifying score towards the HSI/DI Final so we are working towards another qualifying score over the next few weeks and if you’d like to follow the progress you can find it here.