How to Win a Horse Event
Practice your event a lot., Memorize all of the required patterns and tests., Make sure you have packed everything., Check with your discipline or breed association for the rules about tack and clothing., Clean all your tack until it is shining...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Practice your event a lot.
Practice every single thing you will do, such as canter departs from the walk, rein-backs, turns, jumps, patterns, setting up, or whatever you'll need to do in the class. -
Step 2: Memorize all of the required patterns and tests.
A good way to do this is to walk, trot, and canter/lope them out on foot.
It really helps the pattern stick in your memory. , Don’t know how to pack for a horse show? Check out the packing page (after you read this one, of course). , You will not want to be disqualified for simply having the wrong spurs on! ,, Rumpled clothes make a lousy first impression. , Don’t know how to groom your horse for a show? Check out the grooming category after finishing reading this article. , Put a tail wrap, head bumper, and shipping boots on your horse, and if it’s cold, put on a sheet as well.
Offer the horse hay and water, and bed the trailer floor with a thick layer of shavings to reduce the vibration. , When you get there, check with the show steward and get any information you need, including your number. , Also, you'll want to take this time to walk the course if you're entered in a jumping competition.
It’s no fun rushing into the ring at the last minute! , In most Western classes, attach it to your saddle pad.
For Dressage, your number hangs on your horse’s bridle, and in jumping classes, thread a black shoelace through the holes and tie it around your waist, centering the number on your back.
In most other classes, the number is pinned to the back of your shirt. , Ask them to wipe off your boots and clothes, dust your horse’s feet and coat, brush his tail, dust off your tack, and re-apply the shining spray, fly spray and highlighter to your horse right before you enter the ring.
And ask them to offer moral support! ,, For dressage, enter down the center line at A.
In jumping classes, enter wherever the gate is and circle to the first jump, and for gaming classes, enter straight through the gate at the appropriate speed. , Hang back a little and find a good spot on the rail.
You want the judge to see you. , Sharp posture, quiet hands, and properly positioned legs will cause any judge to take you seriously.
You want a straight line from your shoulder to your hip to your heel. , -
Step 3: Make sure you have packed everything.
-
Step 4: Check with your discipline or breed association for the rules about tack and clothing.
-
Step 5: Clean all your tack until it is shining.
-
Step 6: Starch
-
Step 7: iron and clean your show clothes.
-
Step 8: Make your horse look like a star!
-
Step 9: Trailer to the event or show safely.
-
Step 10: Check in.
-
Step 11: Make sure you have enough time before your classes to tack up
-
Step 12: change
-
Step 13: warm up and relax a little.
-
Step 14: Attach your number where is it straight and easy to read.
-
Step 15: Have someone be your ‘ring crew’.
-
Step 16: If you need to
-
Step 17: take advantage of the warm-up ring
-
Step 18: to get your horse's muscles stretched and warmed
-
Step 19: and to work out any extra bucks your horse may have.
-
Step 20: In a pleasure class
-
Step 21: always walk in to the ring tracking to the left (your left shoulder should be on the inside).
-
Step 22: In a pleasure class
-
Step 23: if all the exhibitors enter at once
-
Step 24: don’t enter in a clump with everyone.
-
Step 25: For any class
-
Step 26: take time to improve your position.
-
Step 27: Remember to look forward and smile
-
Step 28: no matter what your discipline!
Detailed Guide
Practice every single thing you will do, such as canter departs from the walk, rein-backs, turns, jumps, patterns, setting up, or whatever you'll need to do in the class.
A good way to do this is to walk, trot, and canter/lope them out on foot.
It really helps the pattern stick in your memory. , Don’t know how to pack for a horse show? Check out the packing page (after you read this one, of course). , You will not want to be disqualified for simply having the wrong spurs on! ,, Rumpled clothes make a lousy first impression. , Don’t know how to groom your horse for a show? Check out the grooming category after finishing reading this article. , Put a tail wrap, head bumper, and shipping boots on your horse, and if it’s cold, put on a sheet as well.
Offer the horse hay and water, and bed the trailer floor with a thick layer of shavings to reduce the vibration. , When you get there, check with the show steward and get any information you need, including your number. , Also, you'll want to take this time to walk the course if you're entered in a jumping competition.
It’s no fun rushing into the ring at the last minute! , In most Western classes, attach it to your saddle pad.
For Dressage, your number hangs on your horse’s bridle, and in jumping classes, thread a black shoelace through the holes and tie it around your waist, centering the number on your back.
In most other classes, the number is pinned to the back of your shirt. , Ask them to wipe off your boots and clothes, dust your horse’s feet and coat, brush his tail, dust off your tack, and re-apply the shining spray, fly spray and highlighter to your horse right before you enter the ring.
And ask them to offer moral support! ,, For dressage, enter down the center line at A.
In jumping classes, enter wherever the gate is and circle to the first jump, and for gaming classes, enter straight through the gate at the appropriate speed. , Hang back a little and find a good spot on the rail.
You want the judge to see you. , Sharp posture, quiet hands, and properly positioned legs will cause any judge to take you seriously.
You want a straight line from your shoulder to your hip to your heel. ,
About the Author
Nicole Hughes
Committed to making practical skills accessible and understandable for everyone.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: