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Post by Shoulder In on Apr 11, 2010 21:06:30 GMT
Classes were really strong and more ponies this year Supreme was a Dales Mare from North Yorkshire the Prelim exc 138cm Reserve Supreme - Angharad Harries on a nice Connemara - Something Jacob? - won the Junior Prelim First Reserve - Becky Edwards on a bay Intermediate other winners were Wardard Dobson Welsh D, Shelby Dowding and Sianwood Goldfinger, a part Bred Welsh Pony won the novice Juniors and Stepahnaie Wheyway with Peasedown Pinging Popcorn. Birchmoor Admiral the Shetaldn was 2nd in the Not exc 138cm Prelim.
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Post by StephWheway on Apr 11, 2010 22:00:14 GMT
Just to amend i won with Peasedown Mr Muddle , we were also 4th overall which we were very pleased with as i had failed to make any music due to not having this much faith in myself and therefore just made up my test for the ride off as i went along!!!
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Apr 12, 2010 5:35:09 GMT
Well done, lovely pony and it didn't show about making it up as you went along!
Many congrats to all who took part, some really lovely ponies and riding performances, I think the youngest rider was 7yo. This event is going from strength to strength every year, thank you Top Spec for the sponsorship.
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Post by Emmi on Apr 12, 2010 11:16:16 GMT
It was very good and I'd recommend it to everyone. We took our pony and were amazed at the standard of riding and lovely ponies there. Everyone was helpful and the rosettes were the best we've ever won. Thank you NPS and Topspec it was amazing.
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Post by StephWheway on Apr 12, 2010 11:51:56 GMT
I agree, it was well worth the trip - the organisers had gone to alot of effort to make the day a good 1, all competitors were acknowledged and rosettes were lovely with lots of awards being given.
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Post by Lizzi T on Apr 12, 2010 14:21:48 GMT
We love dressage and it was the best NPS show. Addington was amazing and the stables were good. We want to come again. What were the prizes in the bags? Having Laura B to judge was ace!
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Post by dressager on Apr 12, 2010 16:26:13 GMT
I'm wondering if I attended a different NPS dressage champs to you guys! I thought the standard in general was appalling - so much for the intention of "encouraging both performance and education of British bred ponies and their riders", it just seemed to reward the poor riding and way of going that is all too common in the showring. I now completely understand the "no spurs" rule - I too wouldn't let the majority of those riders near a pair of spurs! Despite the judges being listed the marks were wildly generous, I am firmly against awarding marks that give people a false sense of attainment - those results would not be achieved at affiliated dressage. I thought the prize giving was a complete shambles - with 30+ ponies standing around in the collecting ring this was an accident waiting to happen, stewards were not giving instructions, some breed awards were forgotten, placings were given out of order and the wrong rosettes were given out at least once - as a result the atmosphere was flat with minimal applause. It struck me that percentages were not announced with the placings, in dressage percentages are important! On more than one occasion I heard officials complaining that they had not been provided with sufficient information (including the commentator!). I thought the concept of this scheme was very good and was keen to take part but I was very disappointed yesterday and will not bother again. I compete at affiliated dressage and see plenty of British bred ponies achieving fantastic things against their foreign counterparts that have been "bred for the job" but sadly breed societies don't seem to give these ponies the recognition they deserve and prefer to report on yesterday's debacle.
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Post by ammevo on Apr 12, 2010 18:27:55 GMT
The organizers had all worked very hard and i twas lovely to receive such wonderful rosettes even for those that were unplaced. I do think it was such a shame that the scores were not given out till the end of the day so competitors that had done there test at 9.30 in the morning had to wait so long, let alone young ponies and children. May be worth a mini presentation at the end of the class and then for those that get into the ride off stay and main presentation at the end of the day...just a thought.
This is a rather new event as with all events there are always teething problems but the event has got better and bigger each year which speaks volumes.
Well done. I was not at the event but just commenting on what has been said by those that went.
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Apr 12, 2010 19:13:20 GMT
Hang on a minute dressager - this is a very new event, I think the third time of running and increasing in numbers every year. Of course admin/organisation may not be perfect, but I'm sure matters will be addressed in the future, I'd suggest a polite letter to the organisers with your suggestions? And no, I'm not one of them! I think "debacle" is a bit strong. There wasn't a huge audience for the final stages, but we were doing our best with applause! Ammevo - I hope you will be putting that suggestion to the organisers for their consideration.
It is not expected to be of BD aff standard, but caters for a very wide range of ages, abilities and experience levels which may have something to do with the marking scale so as to be able to cover a wide range of entrants although you would have to take that up with the judges concerned. I have written there for three years, did the juniors/RPs/the one HighlandxTB PB yesterday for both classes, we had entrants from 7yo upwards, and many were not showing people but from ordinary, all round areas of the ridden world who had found something special to do with their registered native/RP/PB ponies. I thought those at the top of the lineups were good enough to compete anywhere, I've seen far worse at aff, and congrats to all of them.
I breed Welsh, and I do agree about the breed societies though - but I bet the Dales Society are over the moon! I do wonder how many people doing well at aff on natives do report back to their breed societies, maybe they don't bother and the societies can't follow every competitor in every competition.
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Post by agree on Apr 12, 2010 19:30:47 GMT
I agree totally with 'dressager', I was looking at the same event. It was the first time I had gone and I thought that there were some fantastic ponies that did fantastic tests however weren't up in the line up. And yes I do believe they were awarding the poor riding, dirty and untidy presentations. I thought the junior winners had a better way of going than the adult winners. In the freestyle there was one horse that was obviously lame and was not asked to retire? It seemed disorganised. There was no atmosphere, no one really watched the freestyle. I was actually disappointed by the whole event. It seems silly to have competitors that competited in the prelim test waiting from 9:30am until 3pm to not know where they were placed or whether to wait. I think that needs thinking about, otherwise there is a lot of hanging about for the ponies which is unfair. I totally agree it is a brilliant idea, but it needs some organising. The venue was fantastic.
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Post by luceile on Apr 12, 2010 19:42:33 GMT
I had a fantastic day yesterday and really, really enjoyed it and was delighted to get a bob and a placing. I thought the standard was incredibly mixed, and there were ponies from all walks of life, but everyone i spoke to had a smile on their face - which is the main thing. Having said that my test was later on in the day - not sure i would have been as cheerful if we had waited all day just for a finalist rosette. Agree with ammevo, there should be a presenation at the end of each section so those who have a long journey home can leave if they don't need to stay. Thankyou to topspec for such generous prizes and superb rosettes We will be back next year.
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Apr 12, 2010 19:49:40 GMT
I didn't see any of the other arenas, obviously, but my two judges were both great, and I would have every confidence in their class results. And our ponies and riders were well turned out - is it the duty of a dressage judge to criticise turnout, apart from checking they comply with the regulations?
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Post by Emmi on Apr 12, 2010 20:10:22 GMT
Maybe dressager wasn't placed? The concept of using BD judges is very good. We were told by several senior BD judges last year that the majority of ponies at the TopSpec final could affilate. The turnout of ponies and riders was extremely good and far better than many BD competitions we've been to. I do think everyone should wear white gloves now but this is only the third year. people were given the option of going home as a friend of ours whose pony played up left early complete with her lovely Topspec finalist rosette. Some more stewards would've been useful in the collecting ring though at HOYS there are more ponies and even less space. Most went home very happy but there are always a few who try to spoil things without being constructive. We did witness a foul mouthed child complaining about a rosette! They were lucky to have been given another one as they certainly didn't deserve it and certainly should be reprimanded by the NPS. Thank you to those who must've given up alot of time to run it.
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Post by victoria (highhill) on Apr 12, 2010 20:38:53 GMT
think the Dales who won was from Hampshire - not North Yorkshire - was ridden by a friend of mine Becky Newsome
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Post by dressager on Apr 12, 2010 20:40:02 GMT
Sorry but I think that after running an event on two previous occasions the organisers should know enough to give competitors some indication of what happens in the presentations and understand that having nearly every competitor there standing around in a 60x20 is neither pleasant nor safe. The organisers wouldn't need a vast amount of dressage experience to know that it is the norm, even at the highest levels, for marks to be made public as soon as possible, for reasons of transparency if nothing else. To encourage people to attend prize givings prizes may be withheld form those who do not present themselves.
I did not expect BD standard (and I do not want to get personal) but I did not expect one of the winners to be so on their forehand that I wondered whether a shovel would be required at the end of the test, for another poor pony to have to tolerate constant sawing on it's mouth, another to actually have its chin on its chest at times and one rider to be hanging out of the side door while doing wild things with her hands! These were the "Champions". A test does not have to be won on 70+ and many combinations should not have received over 60 - dressage is supposed to be a constant process of progression; telling riders that poor work is worthy of 7/8/9 is not helpful though I understand that this is the fault of the judges.
I'm very surprised that many competitors were not from showing backgrounds given the number of yellow legs I observed (incidentally the BD rule book specifies white, cream or beige!) and the fact that the commentator seemed to know everyone's showing record so much so that I wondered if I'd missed a biography form in my entry pack!
I am disinclined to inform my ponies' breed socs. of any achievements as many breed socs. don't have the first clue about the format of BD so any affiliated regional or national placings they may achieve pale into insignificance when showing societies run competitions with titles like "Supreme Dressage Final"!
I agree with everyone who has commended the facilities, they really are first rate and were one of the draws for me to the competition in the first place. TopSpec are very good to sponsor the event but allowing their representative to experience the disorganisation first hand (presenting wrong rosettes etc.) was not a good idea. Having Laura B. there was fantastic but having one of Britain's most successful dressage rider's witness such a farce was not! Thankfully given her expertise, she picked the best from what she was presented with.
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Post by ammevo on Apr 12, 2010 20:49:58 GMT
can someone please tell me who the photographer ?
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Post by victoria (highhill) on Apr 12, 2010 20:50:57 GMT
Dressager - can I assume you didnt win then
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Post by Emmi on Apr 12, 2010 20:59:28 GMT
Sounds like dressager is an expert who wants to ruin things for all of those who had a good time. I'm wondering if the scores weren't given out so as to stop people coming on here and being spiteful. If so that was a very good plan! At last people are organising something other than showing. Good on them. I've been looking up the ponies listed in the programme and more than expected compete in affiliated classes.
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Post by dressager on Apr 12, 2010 21:00:23 GMT
ammevo: I think the photographer was equinational. highill: If you'd care to read my lengthy replies that I didn't win is quite apparent. Like most people I don't mind being beaten by those who are more worthy
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Post by victoria (highhill) on Apr 12, 2010 21:02:43 GMT
ammevo: I think the photographer was equinational. highill: If you'd care to read my lengthy replies that I didn't win is quite apparent. Like most people I don't mind being beaten by those who are more worthy to be honest dressager I got a bit bored of reading about you slating other people
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Post by ammevo on Apr 12, 2010 21:10:11 GMT
It would be great to have DTM in the afternoon ( may be with a theme and fancy dress ) so those that had put music together for the ride off and did not get the chance to use it could still have a chance to do a DTM test and It would also be great for those competitors that would like to stay for the prize giving later in the day as it would give them some entertainment, while they waited. Once competitors have entered and Times done a time could be put up on the notice board and website to say what time the Finale prize giving will take place which would save all the hanging around.....only ideas what does everyone else think? Addington is such a great venue with brilliant facilities.
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sal
Junior Member
Amilas Stud
Posts: 109
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Post by sal on Apr 12, 2010 21:49:27 GMT
The rules state turnout could be as per BD or your breeds showing rules. As not everyone was from the showing world nor was everyone from the BD world I thought this was fair and inclusive for all rather than having to buy all new kit for one competition.
If people don't tell their breed society's what their ponies are doing how is a breed society supposed to report on it. Perhaps I am lucky being a Welsh Pony person where a well establish Performance awards competition and Part bred group most certainly do promote the non showing success of 'their' ponies.
I too had a great day and will be back. Yes perhaps my ponies percentages were generous but I still think we had fair results compared to (what I saw anyway) of the rest of his section(s) but I have mark sheets full of constructive comments and some lovely rosettes too.
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sarahp
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Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 13, 2010 6:28:03 GMT
I still think many doing aff stuff with natives don't always bother with reporting back, and don't do the Performance Points Awards co petition! Just as an example not a complaint I have bred and sold on two BSJA competing PBs and they have never been mentioned anywhere by the PB group, presumably because the new owners feel no need to report their doings to the breed society, just enjoy jumping them.
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Post by Emmi on Apr 13, 2010 7:14:57 GMT
Perhaps a better name for dressager would be "sour grapes". I can't understand why she has chosen to come on here rather than speak to the organisers and offer to help put right the things she obviously disliked. Her comments as a dressage expert about turnout were funny. The BD judges were there to judge ponies and riders not the colour of the breeches. Ok so the commentary did mention show records but we heard that the dressage commentator couldn't come due to an accident at home. Dressager sounds a typical example of those who try to spoil everyone else's day but isn't willing to offer their time to improve things.
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Post by J Holden on Apr 13, 2010 10:55:03 GMT
Results are on the NPS Dressage Facebook page. Thanks to the organisers for a good day.
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Post by dressager on Apr 13, 2010 11:33:21 GMT
Emmi, I'm glad you found my comments on the colour of breeches funny, I was trying to be slightly humorous with my wording. Be assured I did not expect competitors to be marked down for the colour of their leg wear!
I don't think my comments will have ruined anyone's day (I hope not!), a few of you seemed to have had a marvellous time on Sunday and having decided to put my comments firmly into the "sour grapes" category, it's quite clear that you have deemed them invalid. (I wonder how highly one needs to be paced to be allowed to criticise an event, it seems the winner may be allowed but I feel quite sure that they would then be branded as ungrateful...)
I felt compelled to comment as my experience of the day seemed quite different to that of the early posters and on Sunday I spoke to two other parties who shared my opinion so I was keen to present a more balanced account for those considering taking part in the future.
I did intend to write to the organisers but considering that I have no intention of taking part again coupled with the fact that they seemed exceptionally thrilled with the whole thing it seems a pointless exercise. After all they'd probably file my letter in the "sour grapes" folder and take no notice!
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Post by sageandonion on Apr 13, 2010 12:20:32 GMT
I have no doubt the marks would have been generous. The object surely would be to encourage riders to have a go and to promote dressage at this event and to this audience. I am sure, in years to come, marking will be a bit tighter and standard will be higher.
Delighted to hear the little children were taking part and being encouraged.
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Post by Emmi on Apr 13, 2010 13:08:55 GMT
Mum and I saw a couple of Junior and small m&m sheets and the % were far lower than the kids usually achieve at BD shows.
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Post by Emmi on Apr 13, 2010 13:17:07 GMT
Dressager try writing to the organisers. They were very hepful and worked hard all day. You could even offer to steward or write next year if you're not planning to compete. No point in criticisng if you're not prepared to help improve things. Were you the mother of the abusive child?
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Post by dressager on Apr 13, 2010 14:19:25 GMT
Really didn't want to post any more but I was afraid that if I didn't you'd assume I was the mother of the abusive child - not guilty; I have no children, abusive or otherwise! As for the child in question complaining about the rosette I find that surprising as the actual rosettes are one of the things I find no fault with!
With regards offering to steward or write next year I'll pass, the venue is far from being on my doorstep which is perhaps a major reason for how disappointed I was with the day. The reports I'd read from previous years lead me to believe it was worth the journey and if standards had indeed improved this year as some have claimed then those reports were grossly exaggerated.
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