Winter Weekly Challenges 2021

Our popular Weekly Winter Challenges are back! Running throughout November, December and January, each month has a different theme of four weekly mini 'Challenges'.

We know first-hand how hard it can be to keep Small People motivated through the winter! So we have a fun series of ‘Weekly Winter Challenges’ running through November, December and January, which you can dip in and out of each month as you please. Each week (4 per month) we will set a ‘mini challenge’ for your child to complete. Some will be ridden, some will be unmounted, and all will follow a theme for the month. The Challenges only take a few minutes so you can easily fit them in no matter how limited your winter riding is.

To take part, you will need to be a Facebook user, as the Challenges are set in a private Facebook group exclusively for those who have signed up. All you have to do is upload a photo or brief video proof of your child doing the set challenge into the Weekly Winter Challenges 2021 group each week. At the end of the month, everyone who has completed at least one of the challenges will receive a mini Goody Bag with a Demi Dressage ‘Well Done’ sticker, and everyone who completes three or all four of the challenges will receive the Goody Bag with the addition of a mini star ribbon rosette too, specially made for the Weekly Winter Challenges in a different colour for each of the three months that it is running! Children who take part across all three months will get an extra special item in their January Goody Bags <3

Whilst we try to keep the equipment needed for the Weekly Challenges to a minimum, you will ideally need access to 'props' such as poles, cones, buckets. Nothing is mandatory, and if you don't have the required equipment it's totally fine to be creative or do your own thing along a similar theme to that set for the week!

You don't however need access to an arena: any enclosed/safe area is fine.

The Weekly Winter Challenges are super encouraging, and suitable for all levels particularly those who are very novice and/or nervous. There's no judging, it's all just for fun, but the children will enjoy sharing their challenges and get inspired by others to have a go at the same time! Only those taking part in the Challenges will be allowed in the private Facebook group, so it ends up being a nice little community for them (and you as parents!) – pen-pals of the Facebook age!

Here's what you can expect:

November Challenges: Your theme for the first month is The Balanced Rider - balance and position exercises - so hopefully not only fun, but should help increase confidence and that all important security in the saddle too! All of these exercises can be done in a small space such as a yard or walking out on a hack.

December Challenges: The theme for December is Dressage Meets TREC! Some poles and cones, and a suitable riding area (not necessarily an arena) will be helpful this month.

January Challenges: The final month's theme is Ridden Fun! The whole Demi Dressage ethos is that riding in the school can be FUN! So that's what we've tried to bring to you this month and I hope the challenges appeal to you all. You will need some poles and cones for January - but it's absolutely fine to be imaginative if you haven't got all the props needed.

(For those who have taken part in previous years, the Challenges are broadly similar once again - but as you know we tend to 'layer them up' - MiniD still enjoys taking part and demo'ing on her third year)

Entry fee is just £14.50 per month (this covers the cost *and* UK postage of the Goody Bags and rosettes!) You can enter all three months in advance for a single entry/payment of £39 (10% discount), or enter them on a monthly basis (note that you do not have to enter all three months - but there will be an extra special gift in the goody bags for those who do!)

(Please note you will only be allowed to join the group once you have paid to take part in the Weekly Winter Challenges: please pay via the Enter Now section, and then request to join the Facebook "Weekly Winter Challenges 2021" Group, which you can find via the Demi Dressage Facebook page.)