Getting ready for your first dressage competition

How exciting, your first dressage competition! It is wise to prepare beforehand, both with your packing and by reading up on the rules, learning the test and so on. I would also suggest working out a timing plan. Check how long the journey takes, allow extra time for any roadworks or similar, and plan how long you will need to get ready, ride in and be warmed up by your start time. Early on it is tricky to judge how long everything takes, such as how long you should warm up for. Add a bit of extra time this first occasion, and it is worth jotting down for next time, for example that it took around 18 minutes to warm up.

Competing is great fun, so remember to enjoy yourself and make the most of being out and about with your horse.

Good luck!