What is an Online Horse Show??

By Arlene Rhodes

This article received first place in the 2024 GMO Newsletter Awards for first person experience articles for GMOs with 500+ members. It appeared in the May 2024 Rocky Mountain Dressage Society newsletter, eCentaur.

Online dressage horse shows solved a problem for me. Here is the story of how I ended up participating in these shows. Perhaps it is a solution for you too!

I really love so many things about dressage. I love the ever-increasing lightness and connection I experience with my horse, the always learning approach with my weekly lessons with Megan Bretey. My horse is getting fitter and more beautifully muscled each year. It really helps me to set goals and then have benchmarks to assess progress. Objective feedback is really important to me. Riding the test movements and working on the next level’s movements and objectives are inviting challenges!

My problem was that I really didn’t like being a rider at the dressage shows. (Though I do love being a volunteer at shows!) There are many reasons for that between my worries of all the things that could cause my horse to spook, my falling off, plus his dislike of the deeper footing at the fairgrounds. Then there is the stress of the unknowns that go with the wait for the ride time, the unpredictable weather or the circus that seems to come to town next to the show ring. I also don’t like hauling my horse. When I was showing, at least a month before the show my riding in my lessons would start to suffer, because of my tension. I reverted to old habits I worked so hard to change.

Several years ago, when I told Stephanie Soule I didn’t think I would be showing anymore for all the reasons above, she suggested I think about entering a virtual dressage show with a submitted video of a test to be scored. I looked at several of the organizations that sponsored these, read all the rules, and gave it a try. I still was a bit nervous, but I loved having a goal again and objective feedback! I got ribbons and scoresheets and no hauling! I found the comments were very fair, rewarding good moments and having fair critical comments as well.

When COVID shut down many horse show events, online-shows became popular. I heard stories of those early efforts where any size ring and any type of tack would suffice. Over the years, the online shows have improved in their standardization requirements, explanation of rules and their awards. The recognition by WDAA for online shows really standardized requirements for videos of western dressage tests. Most of the classical requirements are similar in how the video of the test should appear, but they do not require a special test info sheet to be displayed at the beginning, or removal of any tack at the end of the video test.

The organizations whose rules I am most familiar with are DressageShowOnline.com and BetterDressageScores.com. For these two organizations each class costs from $28-$45 and there are no office fees. A regulation-sized dressage court with all the letters visible is also required. The video can be taken with a phone camera and use of a tripod is recommended. There is some zooming in required at the far side of the arena and zooming back out as the horse approaches “C” where the camera is located, just where the judge would be. The video needs to show the whole horse and rider and enough of the arena to show the rider’s location and accuracy of the geometry of the test. It takes a little practice for the videographer to smoothly zoom in and out and capture everything. I have found if the videographer practices while you warm-up they will generally find it doable. The videos will not be accepted if they are found to be edited, or used in any prior show of any kind, or have the sound off. No coaching is allowed on any videos. Required attire is like schooling shows (collared shirts, riding pants, boots, helmets, gloves) and no wraps or boots are allowed on the horses. Tack should follow legal requirements with USEF. DressageShowOnline.com uses ‘L” with Distinction rated judges for Classical entries. Western judges have recognitions as well for Western Dressage.

One advantage of DressageShowOnline is that for some of their shows they offer recognition as an online schooling show for National Dressage Pony Cup (you must send them a certificate showing a pony measurement, like the one GVDS offers for our schooling shows). They also have year-end awards, Championship classes and shows, and on-going rider awards as you continue to show with them. Ribbons, prizes, plaques and trophies are also awarded. In addition, some of their shows are also fund-raising events for horse-related charitable organizations. A part of the fees is donated to these groups.

Shows are held about once a month. Once the opening day arrives you can enter; the show remains open for about 10 days. Your video must be sent to them by the end of the closing day. Entering is online and easy – they need your name, address, contact information and your horse’s name. You select your class or classes to enter, your division (AA, Open, JRYR) and your payment information. Once you complete your video you have a few options to share it with them. I usually turn the video into a public YouTube link and send them an email with the link. They have other options as well. If you have any questions, they are glad to help you out. I’ve emailed them several times with questions, and they have been very timely in their response. Once your video is received it takes five business days to get a PDF of your score sheet. About a week after the show closes, they send out the overall results and mail out ribbons and any awarded prizes.

Here is some other ‘nice-to-know’ answers about online showing, at least from the DressageShowOnline.com organization.

• You can use a reader for your tests.
• Ridden tests from leadline through Third Level are offered.
• Dressage Seat Equitation classes and SportHorse In-hand classes are also available.
• As with any new endeavor, please carefully read all the information and requirements of the organization’s online show you choose to enter. If you are not sure, ask questions!

I know online showing is not for everyone, but some of you may find it appealing for reasons similar to mine or your own special circumstances. Or perhaps a combination of online shows with the actual in-person shows. I would be happy to answer any questions about my experience or research. I think it is wonderful that dressage showing can be for everyone even those that don’t really want to leave home!