‘Top pros, don't compete at novice'

Pammy Hutton discusses top riders at the lower levels and winter positivity

- Polly Bryan

STARTING each day with a smile is always more difficult at this time of year, although it is possible with practice. It’s cold, dark and the cost of keeping horses has increased. British Dressage membership is going up with entry fees expected to follow suit, and “ouch” is my response to the price of fuel.

It’s not always easy to see competition days as “fun days out” any more, and while appreciating the difficulty of trying to please all stakeholders, it’s not only the costs that can reduce the fun.

International riders in novice classes and the perception that only mega horses qualify for championships all adds to the frustration for amateur riders.

Real amateurs can feel defeated even at silver regionals, where gold riders put up their “under riders”. I reckon that, at our local regionals, I could save the judges the work by sending the “names” straight through. Then it’s a toss-up which nearly pro gains that last spot.