Blog Topics

Baskin and his mom

Baskin's mom has given me quite a few blogging suggestions.  She pointed out that there are probably far more dressage beginners in our area than there are "advanced" riders.  And without a strong dressage presence in our community, these interested riders realIy have no one to go to for answers.  I have to agree with her.  Not that I have any answers, but maybe together we can pool our resources and figure it out!

When I first started thinking about showing dressage, I seriously couldn't find anyone who could/would help me figure out  EXACTLY what clothes and tack I would need for a schooling or rated show.  I rode in tights.  Giraffe print tights.  I wasn't even sure what the difference was between tights and breeches.  And to be COMPLETELY honest, I had to learn about English tack in general.  I didn't know what was meant by a snaffle bridle, caveson, flash, pelham bit, double bridle, all purpose pad, half pad, and a bunch of other words that sounded like they were in English, but I certainly didn't know what they meant!  THANK YOU Wikipedia!  Ask me sometime about Hi-ties, cruppers, scoops and sponges.  Those are words I get!

I was also completely baffled by show premiums and actually had to ask a show secretary how to fill one out!  I have filled out more than seventy-five endurance race entries so I know I am not a complete idiot ...  But show premiums?  A whole new game.

So back to Baskin's mom and her suggested blog topics:

1. Where to find reasonably priced dressage clothes
2. Detailed descriptions of the clothes that are permitted for schooling shows and what exactly is required for rated shows 
3. How to fill out a show premium (I have since learned that is a fancy way of saying show ENTRY!)
4. Which memberships are needed to show (see here for a brief overview)
5. What tack is "legal" for rated and schooling shows

And now a few of my own topics:

1. How much I actually spent last year on putting together my show wardrobe 
2. An honest accounting of how much I spend in 2011 to attend shows (not counting the cost of lessons, or regular horse care expenditures).  I have up to 13 shows on my calendar; seven are schooling shows, four are 1-star shows (CDS rated only), and two are 3-star shows (CDS, USDF, USEF rated).
3. A look at some of my favorite "gadgets" (NOT training gear, just cool things to use around the barn)

If you have a topic you'd like me to dig into, please comment!  I probably won't know the answer, but I love to research stuff.

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