What can I expect on the day of my first horse show?

Question

I'm going to be riding in my first B horse show with a school horse. The farm will take care of getting him ready and transporting him there. What will I be expected to do in the morning? Is there a jumping course I will need to memorize? I have never been to a real horse show before, so I am extremely nervous and have no idea what to expect. How will I be judged, and will I be alone in the ring jumping the course?

Answer 1

A jumper would give you specifics - you likely won't jump in the ring with other riders - too dangerous.

BUT - expect lots of nerves due to pressure and lack of expecation about what to know or what you don't know.  It will help if you train yourself to stay calm and do the best you can.

From the answers you get here about what to expect, set some goals.  

For example, as a first show-goer, I would suggest a goal of learning all you can about the showing experience - not winning.  It is not likely at a first show that you will walk away with all honors - set your goals at achievable levels, treat the experience as a way to learn and have fun then re-set your goals for the next show.

If you expect to show up and just win, you'll be disappointed and very nervous.

Hope you get lots of good answers about each little situation from here!

Answer 2

I'm not sure what a "B" horse show is, since I've only shown at my barn's shows.  I do know, though, that most shows post the patterns at the beginning of the day.  When you sign up for your class(es), ask one of the clerks where the patterns are posted.  Make sure you memorize the course.  We always allow riders to school their horses over the jumps before the classes start, but that might not be the norm.  If the class is a Hunter class, the horse will be judged.  If it's an Equitation class, you will be judged--your position, your control, recognizing the proper leads, etc.  You should be alone in the ring for the class.

Answer 3

I dont know what  a B show is.

first you wll be very nervous but that will pass.

If theres a jumping show then yes you before the jumping starts you get to walk to course which is when you walk around yourself(other riders of course) and you memorize it.

Then you warm your horse up over a few wee jumps and you go for it.

if there any dressage you have to memorize the course too.

DONT worry-yes and no-there usally one person in the ring but some shows there in the outside

JUmping doesnt make you get judged or your horse but your jumping-like knock down-refusals-run outs-time-not you personal are judged-ask someon ewhat you have to do-there be help on the day

Enjoy yourself

if you want any more advice/tips or show chat just email [e-mail]-i am freindly hahaha

Answer 4

u should go to a horse show to learn what to expect at the end talk to riders most should be happy to help

Answer 5

in the morning you will prob get schooled over some jumps. and Yes you will need to memorize sevral jumping courses. Depending what you are doing if you are doing jumpers you will be judged on speed and no faults. you will be alone in the ring when compeating but when you are hacking or schooling you will have many other horses and riders in there with you so be prepared to hack with other people.

Answer 6

Your horse may spook at something, I suggest walking him around the premisis to get him comfortable. Make sure to walk him around and if possible in the show arena. You'll be expected to saddle, bridle, and make sure you and your horse are prepared and on time for each class. Figure out what classes you are competing in, that will determine if there's a pattern or not. The judge will post the patterns near an entry booth etc. Don't stress out, you'll do fine, but don't expect a blue ribbon. It's your first show, you're new to it. I felt like you my first show, but when i relaxed my horse relaxed and we had a great ride. It's ok if you don't place. if u felt like u had a good ride, thats all that matters. If you are goin in pleasure classes, then there will be others in the ring. If you are doin horsemanship, equitation or jumping a course or doin anythin with a pattern, you'll be alone. Also, if you are jumpin, take your horse through the warm up course if they have one. i hope this helps

Answer 7

You will arrive there early, groom your horse, tack him up and warm him up. There will be a warm up ring that has a jump or two set up. Most likely a lot of people will be in there, jumping. Make sure to call everything and watch out for people! I usually show at my barn, and I know of a third arena and I warm up there along with my friends. It is less crowded and gets you to focus more. No little kids not listening and trying to jump the jump the oppisite way you are going to it.

Then you will either have a flat class or a jumping class. A flat class is either equ. or HUS. HUS is judged on your horse's movements and they like to see them on a longer rein. In equ, it is judged on you and how you look on your horse and your aids. Your flat classes have many people in them.

In the jumping class, there will be regular courses that is 50% on you, 50% judged on your horse. Equ. over fences is all judged on you. YOU really need to look pretty then! Yes, you will have to memorize a course, but it is usually two lines and two straights in different combinations. No big deal, really. You are judged alone in the ring.

After everyone has shown in that class, they hand out ribbons and at the end of each division, they do Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons (the two people with the most points lets say, doing all three 2'6" classes). Then you walk out your horse, brush him, and put him in the stall and wait to return home!

Answer 8

What's A 'B' horse?

You will need to clean and bathe your horse, tack, and yourself. The judge will also take into account how well you and your horse look.

It depends what you're doing. If you're doing a dressage test, jumping a course, or doing something else, just make sure you have it memorized, or that someone will shout out the instructions.

You will be nervous. Don't worry 2 much about it, you'll be fine. Once you get on your horse, and walk around, u'll be fine..

good luck

Answer 9

Hello,

what will happen depends what show your going to.

but you will jump the course on your own and also get a chance to walk the course  by foot and memorize which order to jump the jumps.

you will be judged on your fualts and if you get into the jump off then its down to time.

hope ive helped

good luck!

Answer 10

You will probably be required to take care of your horse, feed your horse, give water to your horse, groom your horse, tack up, and clean your horses stall.

Yes there will be a course that you will have to memorize. These are usually posted at the show grounds early in the morning or the night before

Don't be nervous. Nervousness can cause your horse to be stressed and not pay attention or spook

I'm not an expert on judging but I do know that you will be judged on form and how well you jump the course.

Yes you will be alone in the ring. It is dangerous if there is more than 1 person jumping at a time. And the judges can only judge one person jumping at a time!

Answer 11

Take a deep breath. That's one thing that'll help you, no matter what. I just had my first show the other weekend (other than schooling shows).

In the morning- you'll be expected to groom/tack up your horse to a T. Don't put on schooling boots & make sure that you use the velcro straps on your shaped saddle pad. If you can't braid neatly, have someone else do it (maybe someone from your barn), but you'll have to pay a fee for that.

Bring scrubs/sweatpants/a jacket  to put over your show outfit so you don't get it dirty. Make sure you have your gloves on and your hair nicely in a hairnet tucked into your helmet.

The courses will be posted outside of the arena, probably the morning of or the night before the show. You can take the courses one at a time- there will be time while the others are doing their rounds to memorize the next one.

Likely, you'll be entered in a whole division at once- that means at least one flat class, likely two: a hunter under saddle and an equitation under saddle. In the flat classes, all the riders in the class will be in the arena. In the HUS class, the judges are evaluating your horse-how nice he moves, his transitions, etc. In the eq. class, they're judging you- how well you can ride your horse. You'll then have a few over fences classes, which you ride by yourself in the ring. There are going to be multiple courses, but again, you can review them at the gate before you go in, and your trainer will probably be at the gate with you, coaching. The division may or may not have an equitation over fences class, where the judges are looking at how well you ride while jumping. Also, you'll probably be entered in something called a "ticketed warm-up", so you'll be able to ride one course unjudged before your official rounds and get a feel of your horse, the turns, etc.

Bring extra rags- for your horse's coat/eyes/etc and for you. extra hairnets and black shoestrings are also good- they break easily.

Focus on you and your horse and make it fun. Have goals- like getting the right lead everytime in a flat class.

This blog entry was great to read for prepping for shows: http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2... The comments are great for prepping for the shows.