competition routine

[Deltofe2493]

hey qq

have a comp on sunday but the times are slightly later than usual - i'm used to being on first thing but for some reason my first class isn't until 2pm!

would you prep sat afternoon still and get ready as if early start? or would you turn out sunday AM for a couple hours whilst doing jobs to get rid of any 'fresh' feeling? Also would rather her not in on her own all morning (even though I'd be around). But if I turn her out what if she loses a shoe or knocks herself or water freezes? I do have a walker or could potentially lunge her but also don't want to knacker her? (Am an event manager so OVERLY cautious about things going wrong lol).

What do you all do?

 

[Love]

Mine absolutely knows the difference between a duvet day and a morning where he is still in before a comp and will get himself over-excited. Unless its showing I turnout when i get times like this. Have done it both ways and this way is absolutely the best for us

Edit to add - I get him ready the evening before (groomed, cleaned, bathed etc) and then any extra from the morning of is just "surface" rather than engrained.

 

[Deltofe2493]

Mine absolutely knows the difference between a duvet day and a morning where he is still in before a comp and will get himself over-excited. Unless its showing I turnout when i get times like this. Have done it both ways and this way is absolutely the best for us

Edit to add - I get him ready the evening before (groomed, cleaned, bathed etc) and then any extra from the morning of is just "surface" rather than engrained.

thank you - is yours not a mud monster?! mine will roll and gallop and get herself covered in filth if I turn her out after having a bath which is why I'm not sure what to do. Plus she has white socks which are a pain but she is also a pain when she's fresh it's so hard!

I asked for a late start but didn't think it would be this late! careful what you wish for lol

 

[Fieldlife]

hey qq

have a comp on sunday but the times are slightly later than usual - i'm used to being on first thing but for some reason my first class isn't until 2pm!

would you prep sat afternoon still and get ready as if early start? or would you turn out sunday AM for a couple hours whilst doing jobs to get rid of any 'fresh' feeling? Also would rather her not in on her own all morning (even though I'd be around). But if I turn her out what if she loses a shoe or knocks herself or water freezes? I do have a walker or could potentially lunge her but also don't want to knacker her? (Am an event manager so OVERLY cautious about things going wrong lol).

What do you all do?

I turn out, I find it worth it to be able to plait and prep with a relaxed horse.

He’s fine if everyone else is in, but once others are out, he wants to be out too.

If ground is frozen, then he wont get muddy.

The risk of injury, or shoe loss is no greater than turning out the day before a competition.

I’d turn out. Then if it isn’t frozen allow time for a good clean up. I do sometimes travel with a muddy horse, as mud needs to dry, and brush off when we arrive.

 

[humblepie]

I would turn out even if going showing and re wash any dirty bits. Keeps in a routine and gives a nice leg stretch. Good luck.

 

[Hallo2012]

always chuck mine out no matter how early even if just for 30 min whilst i sort yard.

 

[catkin]

What gives you the best fighting chance of doing a good show when you get there? turnout or less than pristine socks?

My pony would vote for a bit of relaxing turnout.

 

[McFluff]

Turnout for me. If left in mine would have wound himself up so much he’d be a disaster.

 

[Britestar]

Turn out.
One of ours doesn't pee in the stable, so turnout into a small pen essential before any kind of work.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My boy always goes out in the field before a comp, no matter what time we are on. I don't spend hours getting ready any more. If on on sun arvo I would wash tail, clean tack etc on Saturday. Chuck out Sunday morning. Get all stuff in car ready. Go home, get trailer, arrive at yard, bring in, flick with a brush, load and go. Since I've

 

[Deltofe2493]

perfect - she's had a clip this morning (late I know) so think will prep on Sat like advised then a go over Sunday before we leave but hopefully not too much to groom. I've also got one of those snuggy hoods which I completely forgot about so will turn out with that on to keep her clean.

For me I do like her looking shiny because the judges always comment how smart she looks which is a bonus especially if the test isn't great makes me feel like effort isn't for nothing aha.

 

[WispyBegs]

If I have a late class I still prep the night before and get him sparkly and clean.

He would go out in the morning of the competition but wearing a snuggy hood so he doesn’t undo all hard work.

 

[Ouch05]

Always turn out before no matter what my start time is. Both boys have lovely long white socks I wash the day before, if muddy I would use turn out boots but TBH I never bother and give a quick brush off.

 

[nikkimariet]

I would turn out. I don’t turn out if I’m on early as I can’t catch the little git.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I’ve got a dressage test at 12.57 on Saturday. Mine will be going out for a couple of hours whilst I muck out etc. and take dog for a walk. He’ll fret and be a PITA otherwise when everyone else goes out. He’s chestnut with two white socks and doesn’t usually get too dirty.