Fun Time at The Dressage Championships in Red Deer

After lessons a few weeks ago, our dressage instructor, Stacy Williams, mentioned that the Alberta Provincial Championships and the Western Regional Championships for dressage were going to be in Red Deer September 15 -18 at the Westerner. The dressage show in Red Deer is called the Parkland Dressage Festival. Stacy suggested we go all go. What an opportunity to have your coach attend a dressage show with you!  The horsey girls were instantly keen. With some rescheduling and negotiating done for feedings, I loaded Virgil with snacks and dogs and we hit highway# 2 on Saturday night excited to see the freestyles.

Expecting a “proper” event, I was happy to find a very friendly, welcoming and fun atmosphere. I think I was traumatized by the strictness of the world Equestrian Games in Kentucky. On Saturday night we watched Freestyle Dressage (tests to music). After watching the reining freestyle at the Stampede and  feeling embarrassed by some of the stunts, the music and performances of the
freestyle dressage tests were classy and well done – and still entertaining. It is amazing how certain music can really suit a horse!

There was a silent auction and a 50/50 draw and you could get a ring side table with beverages and snacks – maybe we will do that next time… The award ceremonies were warm and a bit sad – tributes to lost friends were made in special awards and bursaries.

After a glass of wine and the dog costume class, we retired for the evening. On Sunday we watched the warm up ring (always very interesting) and a couple of
tests in each of the three rings. We saw some friends compete and not compete because of a sore hock. I was thrilled to see Michelle on Brigitte do a
beautiful test riding side saddle! Again we felt the relaxed and fun atmosphere. Asking for information was easy and we didn’t feel any tension even
though the competition looked intense.

During the lunch break we did some shopping in the trailers that were in the parking lot. Limited stock and selection, it is the end of the season, but good prices
and quality. Each of us picked something up – we do love to shop!

There didn’t seem to be a lot of people at the event, but it sure was a fun event to attend and looked like it would be fun to compete. Stacy explained rules,
politics and who was who which helped us understand what was going on. All in all it was a lot of fun – May be next year we will be competing….

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