Your first horse show can be very exciting. Shows give you a chance to reveal what you have put countless hours into and get a score by the judges. Along with giving you a chance to show your skills; each type of showing teaches you something new.
If you are taking lessons, your coach will help guide you to the type
of show and classes you should be entering. Your coach may be able to accompany
you, or you'll be part of a group the coach will be taking to a show. The
guidance that a coach can give you is well worth the cost involved. Or, ou
might have to go it alone—from preparing your horse, to trailering and
competing.
Find A Show
The first thing you'll need to do is find a show to enter.
There are lots of 'open shows' and small shows that allow you to try showing in
different classes, but not be penalized for having the wrong type of tack. For
example, going to dressage schooling shows that allow western tack, trail
classes and speed games that allow English tack—and these types of shows are
great for trying things out, having fun and helping you get the feel of
competition.
No matter how small the show is, however, it’s feel it's
respectful to the judge and organizers to have your horse and tack clean and
your clothes neat and appropriate.
Good turnout is one way to catch the judges' eye. Of course,
if you're in western tack in a dressage test, you're not going to have the
correct equipment, but if it's allowed, you'll want to make a good impression
with a brushed and shining horse, clean gear and simple, neat clothes.
Getting to the Show
Well before the show, take notice of what documentation such
as a Coggins test and insurance are needed and find out the times the classes.
Send in your entry fee with the required paperwork.
If it's up to you to trailer your horse to the show, arrange
this ahead of time. If you're trailering with a friend, you'll need to pay
them—and not just 'half the gas', because the cost of owning a trailer includes
maintenance and insurance and taking someone else's horse onboard presents more
risk for the trailer owner. Furthermore, be sure that your horse loads easily
so that you don't arrive late to the show and hold up anyone else.
Prepare Horse and Rider
You should shampoo your horse, or at very least have it well
groomed so if the judge pats it, a cloud of dust won't rise. Its mane and tail
should be even, all on one side, and tangle free. Hooves should be well trimmed
and cleaned –both bottom and top. A brushing or oil or hoof black makes the
horse's hooves look smart. For small shows, it probably isn't necessary to trim
excess whiskers, ear or leg hair, but a bridle path does look neat. If your
horse is kept outside where it has to fend off bugs and weather, trimming isn't
a great idea anyway.
Clean your tack a day or two in advance. You'll need to make
sure you have neat, appropriate clothing. You can bathe your horse a day or two
before, but you'll need to give them a good brushing to remove any stains—and
it seems the more you try to keep your horse clean, the more it will get dirty!
You probably don't need to braid your horse's mane or tail, but if you choose
to, it can be braided the night before so the braids can be bundled the next
morning quickly.
The Morning of the Show
You're probably going to be very nervous on the morning of
the show. Keeping busy is the best way to combat this. You'll want to give your
horse one last grooming, it's regular feed and some water and then wrap its
legs for the trailer ride. Take along any required documents, a water bucket,
tack, brushes, hay and any other feeds your horse will need. You may need
string or pins to hold your competitor number on. Have all your gear ready to
go so you can pack quickly. If you're taking your own vehicle, you can pack
much of it the night before. Don't forget to pack drinks and snacks for
yourself. I find small sandwiches, fruit and other easy-to-eat food are great,
as you're often hurried at a horse show.
Once you arrive, take your horse off the trailer, make it
comfortable by tying it in safe place with a safely tied a hay bag. Head for
the secretary's desk and pick up your number. Groom your horse and put the
saddle and bridle on, giving yourself lots of time to warm up and let your
horse get used to the grounds. It often feels like horse shows are a lot of
'hurry up and wait', so be sure to look after yourself and horse so that you
don't end up overtired and dehydrated.
While you compete, keep your cool, smile (fake it 'till you
make it applies at horse shows too), be courteous to the judge and other
competitors. You might not bring a ribbon home the first time out, but feel
proud if you've had a good day and learned something. The ride home is usually
lots of fun as you discuss how the day played out. And you'll probably find
yourself looking forward to the next show!