Dressage newbie confusion

[pipsy76]

Help wanted by new to dressage numpty!

I'd like to enter my second ever dressage test at the Jays in May but can't work out which class is right! My options are Preliminary S Q - Test 15 ( 2008) - Long or Unaffiliated Preliminary S - Test 15 ( 2008) - Long. I assume it's option 2 as I'm not affiliated but what on earth do the S and Q stand for! I need to ensure I buy the right test to learn and can't find any of the tests for sale mentioning an S or Q or whether they are 'long' or not! Please take pity on me in my ignorance ;-)

[CherryLips1980]

I'm going to assume it's (S)ummer (Q)ualifier for the affiliated class (to qualify for Area Festivals) - not sure for unaff!

[pipsy76]

Thanks CherryLips that's making much more sense already! My only aim this time is to try and not set my trailer on fire by driving there with the brake on, anything after that's a bonus :-)

[couldntbebothered]

The test is prelim 15 for both the classes - S Q stands for summer qualifier (as previous poster said) which means it is a qualifier for summer regionals. S on its own means summer, non qualifier. Long means it is in a long arena 20x60m, rather than a short arena which is 20x40m. Hth.

[Butkin]

The Jays is 10 mins from us! We're not dressage people but if you want to go to shows there and get stuck on their conditions we'll translate for you!

[pipsy76]

Thanks couldntbebothered and butkin ! I always thought 'long' meant it was a longer version of the test I needed to purchase rather than arena length! I knew mumsnet would have the answers :-) I may see you around butkin, I've seen some shows coming up there too, however my knowledge of showing is as abysmal at my knowledge of dressage so I may be back asking more questions, thanks all!

[CherryLips1980]

Good luck! I loved doing dressage when I was riding.

Fingers crossed for no setting the trailer on fire this time!

[Madbugger]

If you are new to dressage the easier tests are the lower numbers. prelim 15 i s actually a very tricky one as it's in the long arena which mean you have tighter turns because you have all the letters. It also incorporates some more advanced moves.

[carabos]

You don't need to affiliate at prelim, you just join yourself and only fully register if you qualify for and enter a championship class.

[BlessThisMess]

My DD has got majorly into dressage in the past 6 months and it is very confusing to start with! Good luck!