Can someone take me through what happens at a show?

H

Hovis_and_SidsMum

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 January 2007
Messages
2,711
Location
Lincolnshire
Visit site
Can anyone tell I'm starting to sweat about next week?!!
I think its worse because I've never even been to watch a local show so I've got no idea of what to do.
So we get there in our lorry.
Then what?
Do you leave the horse on the lorry? When do you tack him up? Whats the etiquette for the warm up area? How soon before its your go do you go to warm up?
Yikes!

I hasten to add i know the panic i'm feeling is in no way proportionate to the size of the show nor the size of the jumps!!
 
Take a leaf out of my book if you like and make sure you always fall off in the wam up area
grin.gif
Preferably while everyone's watching
grin.gif


Just chill - are you going with other people? Do what they do
grin.gif
Or do what you want - so long as you are ready when your class starts, it doesn't matter. Remeber to pass left to left in the warm up (although everyone else will most likely not bother!)
smile.gif
 
I would:

Get there, go find the secretary, get your number, find out what time your class starts and what order they are running in etc, leaving ned on the lorry

Get ned off the lorry, faff about a bit (always seems to happen at shows).... tack up and get on 1/2-3/4hr before your class starts depending on a) if ned needs alot of calming down or b) he'll be asleep in 1/2hr!!

Wander around just to get ned used to sights and sounds, being careful not to walk to close behind strange horses etc, warm up... normal school rules normally apply

Do class...... WIN!! feel amazing give ned lots of carrots, untack, put travel kit bcak on... go home with smug grin!
 
What sort of show is it?

Firstly arrive with plenty of time.
Then if your horse is quiet leave him in lorry while you go to the secreataries. Get your number/declare (or whatever appropriate)
Check out the ring and warm up area
Walk course if jumping, course walk held at beginning of class
Find out how many entries, if running to time etc.
Obligatory burger and coffee break
Then start to think about getting horse out and ready!

or if you are anything like me and running late drag horse out, jump on and worry about the finer details later!
 
It's an evening thing at a local equestrian place. Clear round then 4 classes. We're doing the novice horse class which is class 1 at 55cm.
I think YM and instructor want me to do the clear round first.
 
LOL youll be fine!

What I normally do:

Get there about 1 hour before show begins

Find out what time class is starting (they never run to time so this is pointless but at least you tried!)

Take horse off lorry about 1hr before class starts. Give haynet to munch

Groom, put saddle on, get a portion of chips whilst watching class before yours

Bridle on

Warm up

JUMP! And breathe...

Youll really be fine, it all makes a lot more sense once youre there
smile.gif
 
Arrive, feel sick, go to toilet, get cup of tea and bacon roll, go back to toilet and be sick, get horse of lorry, get ready, work horse in, feel sick again, grab someone to hold horse while you rush to loo again.. final polish on horse get back on, feel sick again, go into ring, jump clear round,.. come out of ring patting horse like mad, fall off in relief, the go through the lot again for jump off
tongue.gif
 
Sounds familiar, although I don't do the bacon roll so have never actually been sick. Apparently I do go a lovely shade of green though.
 
Have you got someone nice to go with? Someone to hold horse, help tack up, find your number if you put it down in lorry and lose it, etc. Drag someone with you if not.

Try squirt of rescue remedy as you get there (horse too if you like!), deep breaths, and remember you don't have to jump once you get there, if you really are panicking you could just tack up, ride round the collecting arena and go home again. You won't need to do that, but just knowing you could if it all gets too much helps! One step at a time...
 
Thank you for that - for some reason that made me feel a touch better.
Not that not jumping will be an option - my hubby and Instructor will see to that! As far as my instructor is concerned as long as he doesn't stop or duck out then he can destroy the entire course for all she cares. I just don't want to look like an utter prat!
I am absolutely pooing myself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top