Dressage is going strong here in SLO County. Thanks to a band of dressage enthusiasts – members of SLO-CDS the San Luis Obispo Chapter of the California Dressage Society – who have kept SLO-CDS dressage shows running and events happening for nearly four decades.
Local residents and others can get in on local dressage action with two showing opportunities.
Two SLO-CDS Dressage Shows Coming Up
Summer temps “over the grade” reach triple digits so the SLO-CDS Chapter provides a show option in Los Osos (which has cooler temps) in July. The Summer Fling has been going on for at least two decades, and I have enjoyed showing there several times myself. Having a dressage show so close to home and near the ocean, which provides a cooler climate in the summer, makes this a must-do option for most SLO County dressage riders.
SLO-CDS Summer Fling
This year the SLO-CDS dressage show takes place on July 8, 2018 at L.O.V.E. (Los Osos Valley Equine) farm in Los Osos. Dressage riders will be competing in all levels and Western Dressage classes are on the premium list.
Riders at this show will be gathering scores to qualify for the end-of-year California Dressage Society Championship show. The CDS Championship show will be held September 27-30, 2018 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA.
Western Dressage riders are welcome at the SLO-CDS Summer Fling. Western Dressage riders basically do the same test as the English counterparts only in Western tack.
In addition, Amateur riders will be gathering scores to qualify for the Regional Adult Amateur Championships (RAAC). The closest RAAC show is the SLO-CDS Fall Fling held August 11-12, 2018 in San Miguel at Twin Rivers Ranch.
SLO-CDS Fall Fling
The mission of the RAAC is to provide an opportunity for all CDS Adult Amateur riders to qualify and compete against others of similar skills and experience. Amateurs will be gathering at the SLO-CDS Fall Fling and so will riders of all levels, as dressage tests from Intro-Grand Prix are offered.
This show draws the top names of horse and rider pairs from our local region and beyond. It is one of the last opportunities to get the final scores needed to qualify for the CDS Championship show.
Get your entries in to be a participant, or plan to volunteer or simply spectate to see what dressage is all about.
Spectating at either show is free of charge, there is plenty of parking, and food is available on the grounds. Contact Ellen Corob for more information:
Cover Photo: Ellen Corob riding Deynika at Grand Prix
