< DRESSAGE SHOW TEAM >
The UBC Equestrian Club is proud to announce a new
Dressage Show Team starting in the 2020/2021 school year!​
What is Dressage?
Dressage is a discipline (or type, style) of horseback riding.
"Dressage" means "training" and is defined as "the ultimate expression of horse training and elegance" by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).
Dressage is about finding balance, harmony, and a true connection with your horse. Each horse and rider pair learns to communicate and willingly perform in unison.
Watch the video below, showing Catherine Dujardin and Velgro, the pair that won the highest marks ever achieved in dressage, during their groundbreaking performance at an Olympic level competition:
What are the time commitments?
Lessons: Team members are required to be in training in Dressage during the winter and leading up to shows. This is defined as a minimum of 1 lesson every 2 weeks during the school year and 1 lesson every week in the month leading up to a show. Lessons must be with a Dressage instructor, not in any other discipline. We offer lesson packages for team members as well as carpools.
Showing: There are several, optional shows over the winter (during the school year). These are low-stress and encouraged, but not mandatory. The main competitions are over the summer. Team members must be available for at least one show during the summer.
Other Activities: Top-secret-team-members-only dinners occur one month before & one week before each show, where we get together to help memorize the patterns we perform at the competition (and of course eat yummy food and play with the ponies!). We will also get together the night before the show to clean our tack and do any last-minute preparation with the horses.
Other Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I join but ride with my own coach?
Absolutely, as long as you have a horse to show on and are actively training with your show horse and a Dressage coach (you cannot take lessons in another discipline, like hunt seat, and count them toward the lesson requirement, they must be dressage lessons).
If you ride elsewhere you will be responsible for your own costs of lessons, horse use, and transportation to the show. Just send an email or talk to us and we can make sure your setup works for the team!
I don't think I can afford this, is there any financial aid?
We do not offer financial aid or support within the club, simply because we cannot afford it. However, if you really want to join and are dedicated, then there are a few options that may help:
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Host a fundraiser. We can host on-campus fundraisers throughout the year, we just need help organizing them.
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Find a sponsor. You can approach local business owners to help sponsor you. Some may be able to offer monetary support and some equestrian stores may be willing to give you discounted equipment in exchange for advertisement.
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Talk to us. This is the best thing to do! We are all college kids who love horses and most of us are all too familiar with the struggles of horse expenses. Just talk to us and we will try to help out or help you come up with a gameplan.
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to send us an email or come talk to us at a club event!
What is the Dressage Show Team?
What: Horse shows are competitions, where you demonstrate your skills to a judge in order to earn a score. You then get an award based on your score in comparison to others.
Who: Our show team is a community of dressage athletes that compete together in dressage shows. Team members get priority access to lesson carpool spots and access to our team dinners and social events!
Where: The Dressage Team is based out of Southlands Riding Club & a private facility in Delta, BC.
How: Each member is matched to their own horse, with whom they will train throughout the winter. We have many amazing horses, from easy-going to high-spirited, large and small, and the member's coach matches each rider to their ideal equine partner.
When: There are several, optional schooling shows throughout the winter in which members may compete if they wish. The main competitions take place over the summer. Team members need to be available for at least one show during the summer.
What are the costs?
Membership: Anyone is allowed to join the Dressage Team as long as they maintain the activity requirements which include:
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Monthly video submission for proof of riding
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Participation in theory nights and virtual shows
Lessons: Lessons are the same cost as with our regular lesson program. Team riders are strongly encouraged to ride weekly, however, they are only required to ride at least once every two weeks.
Lesson prices are listed here.
Showing: Each member is required to compete in at least one virtual show, but are encouraged to compete in as many as possible. Only members who compete in all three virtual shows qualify for year-end awards. The costs of showing may include:
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Use of the horse & equipment,
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Trailering (transporting the horse to the show grounds)
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Coaching on the day of competition
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Entry fees
Show costs range from $150-300 per show.
Exact pricing is outlined in December.
Equipment: All horse equipment is supplied by the stables. Each member also needs the following in order to compete:
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Helmet
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Boots
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Riding pants
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White button-down shirt
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Black blazer
(frugal tip: white or tan leggings look the same as professional riding breeches when you’re in the saddle, and there are cheap button downs and blazers at many second-hand stores!)
Sign-Ups for the
2020/2021 School Year are open!
The roster will be announced soon!
If you are looking for the TSC IHSA (Hunt Seat) Team, please visit their website.