Success with Dressage Show Online

As we slooooowly work our way towards going to a dressage schooling show, in addition to lessons every couple of weeks and an upcoming WE clinic, I thought it might be a good idea to do a couple of online dressage tests for practice and feedback.  After a quick Google search, Dressage Show Online seemed like the way to go.  A show every month, reasonably priced, rated judges, people showing through 4th Level.  What’s not to like?

I practiced each test once during the week and on a weekend squeezed into my show clothes, did a little better than average groom, bribed my husband to film us, and we were off down the centerline.  I thought both tests were very representative of where we are right now, on a hot day with not much warmup.  DSO gives a couple of options for downloading your tests and I went with YouTube so I could share easily here.

Intro A

Intro B

I had my score sheets and percentages within a few days and the show results today.  The judge was very professional, with good and accurate commentary, and basically saw the same things I did.  I thought she was very fair but also picked up on the small details that could make both tests in the mid 70% range.

I was very pleased with the whole experience and will definitely be doing this again.  It’s just too easy and the feedback is so valuable.  I’m pretty proud of my boy.