Conference noted::equitation

    Hi Sherry,
    
    Can you give us more info on the type of competitions you are
    interested in entering - that will help us give you more appropriate
    information.  Conditioning for open shows vs. eventing is very
    different, but I'll tell you what I tend to do with my horses.
    
    I have been competing in open dressage shows and events.  If I have
    been riding consistently all winter (ie. 4-6 days a week) then I
    feel that my horse is prepared (physically) for dressage shows
    because I'll have worked on flat work mostly, with a day or two
    of a trail and/or jumping.
    
    For eventing, I'd like an additional 2-3 months to get him really
    fit (depending on the level we are competing at).  If I'm riding
    in an elementary division (jumps up to 2'3"), then I like to get
    out and gallop my horse once or twice a week to build up his wind.
    I usually like to have him at a point where I can ride for a good
    two hours and he isn't very warm or tired.  (Generally I ride 6
    days a week for at least an hour - two days for jumping combined 
    with galloping, and the rest dressage/flat work and a trail ride 
    somewhere in there.)
    
    If you're doing novice and upward, you'll need to put in longer
    galloping stretches and work over 2'11" or higher courses depending
    on the level of the event.  You should also do a lot of long distance
    trotting to build up the horse's endurance.  You should throw in
    some hill work also.  
    
    There are articles in Equus and other publications relating to this 
    subject, and you can get very technical about it by doing such things 
    as checking pulse and breathing during your workouts, etc. (it 
    depends on your goals and possibly who you train with, etc.)
    
    Are you going to be competing on the lesson horses, or are you going
    to look for something for yourself?  I'll see what articles I can
    find in my back issues of Equus and post some more info here.
   
    *Julie*

    
    Julie,
    
    	What I would be doing would be the lowest level of
    dressage (you gotta start somewhere).  I have never
    competed in a show ring before, although I have gone
    to watch.  I would probably look for schooling shows
    or some small shows in the area.
    
    	As for the horse, I don't know yet.  It may be a 
    lesson horse, or my own.  Let's assume that the horse
    is conditioned enough to do an hour of training without
    getting tired/sweated.  
    
    Sherry
    
    
    

    If you're planning on training level tests (I & II) and you go with
    your assumption that the horse can be ridden for an hour without
    getting too tired/hot, then you should be all set.
    
    If you are riding a lesson horse, you might want to try riding 3 
    times a week (or enough so that you can do the test you are going to 
    ride in the show accurately and you feel comfortable with it).  If 
    the horse is being used for lessons, then it sounds like it will be 
    kept in shape for you.
    
    If it's your own or a lease, then you can ride as often as you want,
    but be sure to give the horse a break at least once a week by going
    on a trail or doing something different.  Also, don't practice the
    whole test when you school.  Practice parts of it - just the movements,
    and only try the whole thing 2 or 3 times to see where you need
    work.  Many horses anticipate what comes next and might do things
    too soon (or on their own) and you lose control of the test.
    
    Will talk to you more about it Sat.  - let's see what the other
    dressage noters want to add.

    This is a  little late, but...
    
    For all levels, I like to see my horses be able to do an hour's
    work at the level they are going to show at without undue strain.
    I don't work/train more than an hour at a time.  If you need to
    do more than that, you either asking for too much or going about
    it wrong.  Conditioning work is different. I do a lot of trail work
    (couple of hours at a time) starting at a slow pace  and building
    as the horse gets more fit.  All my trail work includes a bit of
    schooling stuck in the middle.
    
    For the jumpers,  I don't gallop the pre-novice (2'6 and under)
    at all.  Trot work on the trail keeps them fit and doesn't mess
    up their legs.  The others gallop once a week with pulse and
    respiration recovery guiding the speed and distance.
    
    Rider fitness is important, too.  For some of us, it's not enough
    to sit on a horse a couple hours a week.  The same guide (1 hour of
    work) applies to the rider too.    Showing is a stressfull activity 
    and if you are tired after an hour lesson, you are going to be
    exhausted at a show.  A side benefit is that I find that the more fit 
    I am, the easier it is to coordinate and control my own movements. I 
    run and work out at a health club and this has helped my riding a lot.
    
   

    Re: .4
    
    I'm glad that you mentioned rider fitness! I always thought I was
    in decent shape until I started walking the xc course at the event
    2 or 3 times before riding it (and that was only novice!) I have
    decided that this year, jogging might have to be added to my schedule
    because walking the xc course can be tiring!!!
    
    Linda