Event Report - Stressless Dressage @ Swallowfield Equestrian

I am so glad I entered this competition, despite knowing we wouldn’t have the best preparation or practice before hand, because as of today we are now into our 3rd week of no riding bitless due to Chester having some teeth issues.

I wanted to have something to benchmark against, and a positive experience. I was meant to just have an arena hire at Swallowfield that day but they decided to run a Stressless Dressage event and asked if I wanted to enter that instead. I ummed and aaahed and finally decided it would be good for us. I was on holiday the week before, so Chester had a week off which I do think helps them in their earlier years. We had a week after coming back until the competition and he felt really good! On the other hand I was exhausted after 1 week holiday, a hen do, and my 30th birthday - but it’s all about the horses right?!

We had entered Intro A, which is a nice test, apart from a half 10 to half 10 which I hadn’t practiced much. Intro tests are only walk and trot, so I didn’t have to worry about the canter which is our weakest pace at the moment. We have been to 2 lessons off the yard in the trailer prior to this, so my aim was to just have a good day, be in a warm up with other horses, and also experience the indoor arena with mirrors which I don’t know if he had seen before.

Because it was “Stressless” we didn’t have to plait or wear competition gear which was a nice relief and definitely reduced the stress! We arrived in good time and we all got an additional 5 minutes in the indoor before the bell, which meant the warm up and car park were quite quiet - it was also the first test of the day.

We got him off the trailer and I remembered there was a horse walker and a train line which could potentially be spooky so I decided to put his bridle on and give him a little walk round in hand. He was looking, but nothing dramatic and he settled after about 5 minutes - such a good boy. The warm up was equally as calm and reassuring, we even did some canter on both reins! I practiced my test and experienced a couple of horses coming in and out which he didn’t bat an eyelid at. It was time for our test…

He was quite fussy in the mouth - que the following week having some roots taken out of his wolf tooth and a super numary tooth came out which was growing nearby! But other than that, I was so so so pleased with him. I could have asked for more, I could have been more forward and I definitely can find flaws in my riding for sure. I have been practicing my halts, so I was frustrated in myself for niggling him around. But for our first test together I couldn’t have asked for more. We scored 66.52%

First ones out the way now and we have some good comments and lots and lots to work on for the next one. I think it might be a while until we get there due to his mouth, but I’m enjoying the bitless work and working him in the round pen on the ground. We are getting a good bond, and I hope that can translate into our ridden work once he is ready 🥰