Amateur Dressage

I am looking for suggestions for local schooling shows - in the Statesville/Mocksville/Mooresville/Huntersville areas. I live in Wilkes County (about 35 miles east of Boone, NC). I am looking for some low-key but well organized schooling shows for me and my horse. I am familiar with TTC in Mocksville and plan on doing some schooling shows there this season. However, I am not as familiar with some of the other schooling shows in the area. I was wondering what others could tell me about the Lighten Up series at Latta and perhaps the shows at Gone to Ground Farm in Waxhaw/Weddington. Also, are there any other shows that are in the area?

I trailer to Waxhaw ever couple of months to work with my coach there. The rest of the time I focus on my "homework" at home. Even though the Waxhaw area is about 2 to 2.5 hours (via truck and trailer) for me going to that area occasionally for schooling shows isn't out of the question.

My mare and I (10 yr.old purebred Arab) don't have a lot of show experience; most of our time has been spent on just trying to master the basics of dressage and learning together as we go! We are definitely a Training Level pair in terms of showing and working on First and some Second level movements in our work at home. As far as showing goes, I want to be picky about giving my horse some "positive" show experiences (well, I'll include myself in that as well!)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Melissa

I can tell you about the Lighten Up Dressage Schooling shows because I am the co-organizer, Leslie Lytton. We wanted to organize a low key schooling show where people didn't have to spend lots of money on memberships, clothing and tack. You can wear your 1/2 chaps and keep the boots on you horse's legs. Lighten Up, it's a schooling show.

Hi, Strictly Classical.

The Lighten Up Shows are very nicely done and the facilities are the same as the USDF shows at Latta. There are two show arenas with good footing and good warm up space. There are stalls that are close to all the riding areas and Leslie does a great job organizing everything. The dates for her shows are on the calendar on this site and on the Lighten Up Dressage web page: www.lightenupdressage.com

I'm in the No. Charlotte/Huntersville area and have shown at Gone to Ground too. It is also very well run and organized and has good riding spaces -- a beautiful covered and easy parking. The website for that series is: www.gonetoground.com

I don't know how far it would be for you, but I also like the Why Not An American Ark schooling show series. Again, well run and friendly like the others I mentioned above. The web site for that series is: www.whynotanamericanark.com

I hope you find a show that is close enough to you and maybe we'll see you out there!

Hey Strictly Classical! How YOU doin'? (Once you get to know me, you'll laugh at that - I'm a Jersey Girl transplanted south)

I've been to both the Lighten Up Latta shows and Gone to Ground, and they are both wonderful. I plan on doing as many of them this year as my budget allows. With the diesel fuel prices through the roof, the recognized shows are a big dent in the investment portfolio (note: I'm not trying to brag about money, but pointing out the fact that it's gotten so expensive to trailer that you NEED to hit up the mutual funds to get there!! )

I will also be trying the Ark series, since Ms. Heather has always talked about them. FYI - I am willing to share my trailer if anyone is interested in doing so to cut fuel costs. I'm fairly new to trailering but have got that "forward" part down pat, it's the reverse and tucking trailers into tight spaces that I need practice with (that's where Gone to Ground is a GREAT place to go - PLENTY of room to turn rigs!!!))

Since I'm fairly new to NC (less than 2 years), I don't know where you're located, but I'm in the Rowan/Iradell County area.