How to Compete in an English Pleasure Class
Find a show that is relatively close to you and register., Get ready for the show!, When the day comes, trailer your horse out to the show, you'll want to get there early. , Prepare your horse like you do for normal practice., Check in with the show...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find a show that is relatively close to you and register.
During this step you should also pick out/find a horse you will be riding and how you will get it there. -
Step 2: Get ready for the show!
A good idea is to spend the day before traveling to the show doing maintenance: grooming, bathing and clipping your horse, cleaning and polishing tack (glycerin soaps work well), hitching the trailer to your tow vehicle and loading your tack and supplies into the trailer's tack room.
That way when you get up the next morning to go to the show, all you have to do is pull up the trailer, load your horse and go. ,, Don't do anything too different, like using a different bridle than normal, just try to stick to the same. ,,, Walk around the warm-up arena so he gets acquainted with his surroundings, then trot for a few minutes. , Don't ignore them, when you hear your class and number called report promptly to the ring steward and state your name, horse's name and your number.
Shows often have a PA system in the warm-up arena to tell riders when their classes are.
This will follow the standard athletic pattern of "Class Number ## in the ring, Class ## be ready, Class ## on deck."
If you're passing a slower rider, let them know by quietly but clearly saying "Inside."
, This means they kick.
If your horse is prone to kicking, be sure to put a red ribbon on their tail to warn other riders. , Some judges ask exhibitors to halt and back on the rail, others wait to ask for the back-up when the riders and their horses are in line. , Don't plaster a fake smile on — smile like you mean it and let the judge and audience know that your horse is a good one and fun to ride. ,, -
Step 3: When the day comes
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Step 4: trailer your horse out to the show
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Step 5: you'll want to get there early.
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Step 6: Prepare your horse like you do for normal practice.
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Step 7: Check in with the show office to get your number and exhibitors' packet.
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Step 8: Don't get dressed in your show clothes until a half-hour before your first class.
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Step 9: Warm your horse up.
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Step 10: When it's time for the show
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Step 11: line up with the other contestants
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Step 12: and ride in when the ring steward tells you to.They will usually call the numbers of the competitors in each class.
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Step 13: Ride along the railing
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Step 14: if the horse in front of you is too slow
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Step 15: pass it in the middle of the arena.
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Step 16: If your horse is consistently getting too close behind other horses
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Step 17: but there is room between you and the following rider
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Step 18: ride your horse in a small (10-meter) circle to make more room.
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Step 19: Watch out for horses with a red ribbon in their tail!
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Step 20: Perform the gaits the judge tells you to.Typically this is walk
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Step 21: trot and canter
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Step 22: with a change of direction and walk
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Step 23: trot and canter in the opposite direction.
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Step 24: Pleasure class judges like to see smiling riders!
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Step 25: Finish and ride into the line.
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Step 26: Ride out after you've been placed!
Detailed Guide
During this step you should also pick out/find a horse you will be riding and how you will get it there.
A good idea is to spend the day before traveling to the show doing maintenance: grooming, bathing and clipping your horse, cleaning and polishing tack (glycerin soaps work well), hitching the trailer to your tow vehicle and loading your tack and supplies into the trailer's tack room.
That way when you get up the next morning to go to the show, all you have to do is pull up the trailer, load your horse and go. ,, Don't do anything too different, like using a different bridle than normal, just try to stick to the same. ,,, Walk around the warm-up arena so he gets acquainted with his surroundings, then trot for a few minutes. , Don't ignore them, when you hear your class and number called report promptly to the ring steward and state your name, horse's name and your number.
Shows often have a PA system in the warm-up arena to tell riders when their classes are.
This will follow the standard athletic pattern of "Class Number ## in the ring, Class ## be ready, Class ## on deck."
If you're passing a slower rider, let them know by quietly but clearly saying "Inside."
, This means they kick.
If your horse is prone to kicking, be sure to put a red ribbon on their tail to warn other riders. , Some judges ask exhibitors to halt and back on the rail, others wait to ask for the back-up when the riders and their horses are in line. , Don't plaster a fake smile on — smile like you mean it and let the judge and audience know that your horse is a good one and fun to ride. ,,
About the Author
Sharon Taylor
Writer and educator with a focus on practical hobbies knowledge.
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