I Have A Horse Show This Weekend. HELP?

Question

This weekened, I am doing 4 classes. English equitation, english pleasure, hunter under saddle, and hunter hack. All these classes are walk/trot/canter. I canter all the time at my ranch, but never during a show.

If you have absolutely any tips, please share them.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Just relax, take a deep breath before the show. And my biggest tip is not to stress and worry yourself.  It's just a show and it doesn't mean anything.  Try your best and good luck!

Answer 2

Where is your show? Anyways Hunter hack is super fun plus all the rest, I'm a beginner/novice too, and my first show I canterd and I was perfectly fine, I think you will be too, just remember all the things  you learned about cantering and just think you are  at your ranch cantering there!!

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

when you're in the ring- just remember that its nothing new and that both you and your horse are completely capable of cantering perfectly. and just have fun with it! if you don't stress yourself out, everything just seems easier.

Answer 4

Stay focused and dont allow yourself to get nervous. When you go into each class, just think about what your going to be judged on and focus on that. You'll really want to concentrate on all of your transitions making sure each one is very smooth and not abrupt and rough. Also when cantering be sure that if you check to see if your on the correct lead that you dont totoally drop your head and look down (just look with your eyes..that goes for checking your diagonal as well).

GOOD LUCK and Have fun at the show!!! :)  

Answer 5

Make your horse feel at home.

Don't let yourself be nervous either. At my first show my horse only cantered for a few strides in a flat class and then we were down hill the rest of the day. Just don't let anything got to you.

Just remember what the judge is looking for in each class.

In Equitation, make sure you look like a perfect rider at all times.

In pleasure, make your look easy to ride..."a pleasure".

In under saddle do everything you can to keep your horse doing what is asked.

And always remember, especially in equitation when you're the one being judged, keep a nice smile on your face. Look like your having a good time. Most judges will put you on their good side if you look pleased with your ride.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

BREATHE! :)

I remember my first dressage test, it had 2 canter parts in it and I literally said to the judges 'I won't be cantering I'm too scared.'

But when it came to it, I just put my butt in the saddle and asked for canter, and we did a great job!

Just pretend you're at home (easier said than done!), relax, take deep breaths, there's no reason you can't do it :)  Good luck!

Answer 7

Is your question for tips on cantering?

If so, the MOST important advise I can give you is make sure you're on "the right leg" basically this means that whichever rein you're on the canter leading leg needs to be the inside one.  

This keeps the horse balanced and is considered correct (in England anyway) you will not believe how many individual shows i have seen where the horse is cantering round on the wrong leg and the rider is completely oblivious!

In England, the individual show is made up of a walk trot and canter on each rein.  

Stand in front of your judge walk away from her turn and trot directly to her this is so she can see the movement of the horse from behind and in front and also how straight he is.

Then trot a full figure of 8 once you get to the corner you started in pick your canter up and canter the small half circle at the top of the 8.  Back to trot and trot across the diagonal changing the rein on your way.  

Then pick the canter up again this time on the other rein and canter the bottom small half circle of the 8, back to trot turn in towards your judge halt and salute.  

Again, dont forget to salute your judge, it's considered etiquette.