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Link: Previous Articles from Sally
From Sally:
I am frequently asked the question, am I ready to move up? That is not always an easy question to answer. Many things need to be taken into consideration. Are the horse and rider competent at the level they are currently competing? Does the horse have the scope and stride to jump the bigger fences? Is the rider strong enough mentally to handle the added stress? The answer to all of these questions needs to be ‘yes’ before the next step should be taken.
Just because a pair is successful at the level they are competing does not mean they are ready to move up or that the horse can do the next level. It is important to learn what the standards of the new level are, and then evaluate your horse’s strengths and weaknesses and figure out what needs to be worked on. Can these necessary things be improved on with additional training or is the next level just beyond your horse’s abilities? If you do not have experience at the next level, it is a good idea to work closely with a professional.
Rarely does moving up a level improve a training weakness. So, if the horse is a little tense in the dressage or has the occasional rail, I might still consider moving it up. But if it struggles at all on the cross country I will give it more mileage at the current level.
Picking the right course to move up on can make a big difference. It is a good idea to find out if the course is an appropriate move up course. Often that is included in the information in the omnibus.
Once you know the standards of the new level, you need to map out a plan for getting there. I think it is a good idea to give yourself several months to get in the additional training. You also need to schedule the events, lessons, and cross country schools. Make sure that the professional that you are working with supports your schedule and agrees that your goals are viable. You may find that you need to have a larger budget to work with to afford the additional lessons and schools. With the more lessons and schools you might also need to schedule more time for your riding.
These are some things I consider before I would move up:
1. Does my horse feel like he jumps easily at the current level?
2. Do I get the correct number of strides down a line or in a combination?
3. Does my horse confidently do the movements asked in dressage?
4. Do I have reasonable show jumping performances?
5. Do I normally get the time cross country?
6. Do I confidently jump all the different types of fences cross country?
If the answers to these questions are ‘yes,’ then a plan to move up would be appropriate. If the answer to one of the questions is ‘no,’ you need to think about your goals. If the horse is not confident jumping over a log into water, that is something that can be practiced and hopefully improved. If the horse is struggling to get the strides in the combinations, this might be a sign that the horse doesn’t have the scope for bigger jumps.
I would not move up with the plan of choosing events where you think the course is unlikely to have a certain type of fence. If I find the horse has to work hard to finish the event at the next level, I might back him up to the previous level to get his confidence back, then try again. Just because you move up a level doesn’t mean, you might not drop back at some time. I frequently start out the season at a lower level than I finished the previous year. Often after an injury or time off I would drop back a level.
Sometimes I have a student who wants to move up on a horse they know very well and have a lot of confidence in but may not have the most ability. If I think the horse will be good on the cross country, we might make the decision to move up on this horse anyway. Even though this horse may not be competitive, it might be a good choice for the rider to get mileage on at the next level. The rider would need to understand that the horse might not get a great dressage score, have some time cross country, or have a few rails in the show jumping. As I have said, I would not recommend moving up on a horse struggling with the cross country.
Another consideration should be: do I want to move up and is this a good time given my other life and work commitments? If you have just gotten a new job, this might not be the best time to add the stress of moving up. If you have a major project at work, you may not be able to give the time needed for the additional training. It does cost more money to have the additional lessons and cross country schools, so if your budget is tight this may not be the best time either. I would not let peer pressure or success at a certain level make you feel like you should move up. You may need to find other goals or new events to go to. There is nothing wrong with enjoying your horse and this sport at the level where you are most comfortable!
