I'm going to be helping my friend at a horse show? What can I do to help?

Question

She's going to be doing an event, with dressage, show jumping, and X country, all in one day! What extra stuff can I do to help her? I know I'll do tack changes and take pictures, but what else can I do to help?

Answer 1

If you dont know anything about horses. i would just take the pictures for now and kinda stay out of her way. If you are new around horses it can more work for her in the long run or you could get hurt by the horse. Before trying to help her at events i would have her show you things to do at her place, and get you use of the whole picture. At show events its not a place to learn...she will be nervous  her horse will be nervous cause its a new place for the both of the and they are competeing. For now just take pictures and if she needs you to go and pay or enter her in...get her number....food ..pictures i'd stick to tht.

Answer 2

Bring a shovel

Answer 3

The kinds of things you can help out are:

-feeding the horse

-stable cleaning

-grooming

-hoof cleaning

-washing

-leading the horse and exersizing

It would be really supporting if you can cheer her on and wish her luck. It will keep her spirits high and make her do really well. She will be happy and make her focus.

I wish her all the best and good luck at the show and I know how grueling and damading it is for that competition.

Answer 4

as a girl who shows alot. i wish i had a friend like you lol.

stand close (not in the way though) be ready for hand me this, hold that, hold the horse still and i mean still, brush this, wipe my boots. etc

when shes in between classes you can keep her and her horse hydrated by bringing them water. keep a dry or damp rag with you to wipe her boots off. and you may need to do a food run. I'm assuming shes gunna be on a horses back all day so foods always good.

sadly, my mom ends up being the "horse slave" for the day but i try not to be mean. its hard because when you show at big shows with alot of horses your nerves are at end. so dont take anything she says personally.

heck maybe shes not so bossy at shows.

Well i hope this gave you some ideas and have fun, and dont forget to keep yourself hydrated and happy!

Answer 5

Keep her horse clean and if he's hot, cool him out for her. Keep the horse and her relaxed.

Answer 6

Ask your friend what she needs- a novice or training level event like this tends to run pretty quickly. You may want to help with grooming, help her get her clothes in order for each part of the event, run errands ( this may involve going to the show office for score sheets, or to the food stand for lunch and bringing it back with you) help her load and unload her trailer at begining and end of the day, see that her horse is tacked up correctly and that she has all of her required equipment for each phase, and just be a general factotum to her. Generally, at the lower levels of eventing, dressage and show jumping are held BEFORE the cross country phase, so once she completes that, she's done for the day. Once your friend moves up to the preliminary level, (called Prelim by those of us who have been in this sport a while) then she will be introduced to the 3 day format that gives the sport its name. Remember that your friend will either be very keyed up and excited by the competition, or she will be very tired from it. I say this because I know from experience that show nerves can fray even the most calm tempers, and can sometimes cause nasty conflicts, even between the best of friends. Your friend may need someone to talk to, to help keep herself calm, or she may need someone to commiserate with her if things don't go as planned. YOU need to be mentally flexible and go with the flow, or you won't be able to be much help to her.  Another thing- plan on a long day on your feet ( it's absolutely essential that you wear comfortable walking shoes) and dress for the weather. This means layers in cold weather, and proper gear in case it rains. Take along some sunscreen and sunglasses as well- you may need these if it is bright out. Finally, enjoy yourself, and listen and learn. Eventing at this level is a lot of fun and a good learning experience.

Answer 7

Dollarsgold

I see your brand new to YA!  Welcome to your first day.

Your friend is going to a 3 day event in a day.

* Dressage will be first, and you can help by reading her the test while putting the final touches on grooming: no "show sheen" or fake glosses! Check braids for dressage, a light coat of oil on hooves buffed off with a rag,rasp the shoes edges with an old farries rasp to give that extra gleam. You can take a vid or pix while she is in the ring.

*Next is the cross country: change her tack to her all purpose saddle,the bridle she will be using, and offer water to both competitors. If horse is drinking a few electrolytes in the water it will help. Photos in the field are tough, ask somone or the show photographer to get a few action shots! Have address labels handy to save time.  

   #KEEP a HERTRATE CARD and THERMOMITER and use them:## The vet WILL ask! Flunking the vet tests is never fun.

  Obtain a copy of the course( never posted ahead of time) and make sure she is solid on the order and  options. You'll be holding  horse..again.. while she walks  the course. If she had a good dressage score-for once, a LOW number is desired ( somthing 60ish)- odds are good  she will feel it is worth doing the show jumping. Keep your athetes hydrated and have power bars and fruit handy for her.

  *Last to go is always show jumping :This allows eventers to skip it if they did poorly, so grab  the order of go and course diagram,( never posted much ahead of time) and again hold horse while she walks that course.

  Discuss jumping options based on fatigue, other horses success  so far, and what risks to take for time. It is importent to look good in the show jumping phase, and often the pond or water jump made a mess of your grooming! Sponge wash, unbraid or re braid,remove all that mud, and re do tack for her favorite Jumping saddle and bridle set. In some events martingales are forbidden so have the rules handy.

   ~~You are basically her laison for information, and a horse holder and depending on how she feels,  a groom,hand holder, and breakfast-lunch vender. It pays to carry folding chairs and a sewing kit along with your cell phone( on vibrate /silent only) and find the water tap first thing! She might have a resivour in her trailer, which is often a long ways away.~~

   ***  I love these great training and family events.***

Our Pony Club BHS put on tons of these events, and we all had a very good time. Good runing shoes or paddocs really helped:)***

  Good luck and remember the test and courses! Then celebrate at the barn: even if she places low, you are both winners for getting out there.