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Good luck! My tip is to have fun. The show isn’t just about the show, it’s the whole experience. Enjoy your time there, have fun and talk with others, especially if it’s a low-key show. Most of my show memories are just about having fun with other riders, not the show ring itself. Do as you see fit, or your trainer sees fit, and just have a fun, relaxing show! Edited at April 16, 2019 06:27 AM by Flying...free |
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Oh man, I remember my first show. About spacing, that is crucial! You won't be the only one in the ring; there will be some other riders in the same class. All horses trot at different speeds, so you will end up getting super close to the other riders eventually. Do NOT be afraid to cut across the ring to get to a more open space! If you keep tailing the other riders, it doesn't look good. It's just basic safety to keep your distance, so don't worry about losing points or anything. :)
Also, the judge may make you and your horse pose at the end of the class. Make sure you work on that beforehand so you and your horse are ready. They will be on the lookout for heels and hand placement! |
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Yeah of course! Always try and be at least another horse length apart from any horse. For the purpose of showing, it's best to be a little bit farther away if possible. I would only recommend staying this close to another horse if its a big class, and there aren't many open spaces on the rail. Something my trainer told me once is to think about where your putting yourself. If you look at the class and think "Oh hey, she's pretty good" or someone who is an obvious competition to you, its a good thing to kind of stay away from that person. If you think about, the judge will compare you two if your riding right next to you, which could boost or lower your placing. So to kind of shorten everything, you want the judge to judge you as an individual, and not have anyone around you to compare you with if that makes sense. But the higher and higher you compete the classes tend to get larger and larger, so this isn't always possible. I hope this kind of makes sense, but i'd be more than happy to simplify or help with any other questions. :) |
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All of the things others have said will help and also DO NOT GET TO HOT. IT WILL MAKE YOU PASS OUT! It has happened to me. Not Fun! |
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Oak Valley Eauine said:
All of the things others have said will help and also DO NOT GET TO HOT. IT WILL MAKE YOU PASS OUT! It has happened to me. Not Fun!
Haha I remember that... great times |
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Even though you are saying it's a more casual show, this may be helpful if you want to be competitive!
Make sure you look to see where the judge is, and plan your path accordingly. Spacing is very important, but if you get too focused on that, you may get lost within the other horses. It's so crucial to have the judge see you, especially during the major passes (generally the long side of the arena where you are directly in view of the judge) utilize the ends of the ring if you feel you need to prep your horse for the next pass, or if you feel good, do your best to get to the next pass as soon as possible (that may mean you cut your corner a bit). Make yourself seen! Each time you go for the pass make sure you are in your top form, look relaxed, and make sure to show off your horse!
Moral of the story, make sure you are seen very often by the judge, and stay relaxed! From my experience, judges will always choose the rider who looks more comfortable on their horse over the one who has a better position, but looks tense! |
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I know Alex. She used to give lessons to my husband :) we never met Sitka though, always had out own horses :) Edited at April 16, 2019 11:00 PM by Summer |
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I think she means don't ride up the backside of other horses, the slower riders always go on the inside so the faster riders can pass you on your outside.
Kirralee anglo arabs said:
Superior Equines said:
I agree with everyone! The number one thing is to stay calm. (I’ve went into the ring crying before, it’s not fun haha! When your nervous, your going to make your horse “nervous” in a way. When competing at walk trot the number one thing to placing (atleast where I’ve competed In the past) is spacing. There will always be a big clump of riders on the rail, avoid being by them all costs.There been classes a year or so back that I’ve done absolutely horrible in , but since me & one other rider was on the rail we placed 2nd haha. I don’t know the age group your in, so I can’t guarantee anything, but it’s good to watch your spacing. Stay hydrated and eat! I usually compete at a week long fair, and this is something really important. We’ve had people pass out while waiting by the arenas before. And lastly really just trust your horse, and try to have fun. :)
Thanks for the advice, I try to keep that in mind
I'm not sure exactly which classes we'll be in as it depends on his fitness lol Could you be more specific on spacing?
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I was always taught to never pass on the outside unless absolutely nessacary . This is simply just because of the danger your putting yourself and your horse in. At a show your horse doesn't know any of the other horses, and you trying to pass them. This is putting yourself in a situation where you are in between a wall in and horse you don't know. The horse could kick, bite, etc and you'll have no where to go, being that you are between the horse and a fence. I always recommend passing to the inside of the arena, whether you have to cut across, circle, or whatever has to be done. The only way i'd personally want to see this would be with experienced riders, not new show riders. :) |
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Not saying you're wrong Summer, but I mean....I personally know Superior in real life and we were always taught to never pass on the rail side (outside) because if you pass from the outside you're trapped between the fence/rail and another horse which can be a dangerous position. If a horse were to kick, you'd be have no escape. However, if you chose to pass from the inside, if a horse decides to kick then you have an easy "escape route".
Just the way we were taught, personally I it's much safer than passing from the inside. |
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