muddybay
Well-Known Member
I'm going to my first show (dressage prelim 15) at the end of this month! Any advice
First show
- Thread starter muddybay
- Start date
OrangeAndLemon
Afraid of exorcism
Just enjoy it.
Set yourself little goals. For my first show I just wanted to get him there, get some lovely pictures and get home safe. That was all. We just had a laugh, a fabulous day with my friends and my horse and we came back with rosettes.
Make a list of stuff to pack in (I nearly forgot my bridle), if the plaits don't work, leave then out. If anyone offers help, say yes and don't let them go.
Seriously, just have fun, it's your first time so there's no pressure.
Set yourself little goals. For my first show I just wanted to get him there, get some lovely pictures and get home safe. That was all. We just had a laugh, a fabulous day with my friends and my horse and we came back with rosettes.
Make a list of stuff to pack in (I nearly forgot my bridle), if the plaits don't work, leave then out. If anyone offers help, say yes and don't let them go.
Seriously, just have fun, it's your first time so there's no pressure.
muddybay
Well-Known Member
Thank you I think I'm over thinking it! I so badly want it to go well which is probably why I'm nervous!
Carrottom
Well-Known Member
Don't stress! Have a plan for your warm up. Smile and say hello to whoever you park next to. Smile at the judge before and after and pat your horse. Enjoy!
ArklePig
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry I don't have any advice but I just wanted to wish you the best of luck. Make sure to report back!
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
Give yourself plenty of time. However much time you think you need add another 30mins too. If you have a malfunction of tack or plaits need redoing you have time, if everything goes smoothly you have a few mins for a cuppa before you leave or a bit more time to get ready/warm up at the other end.
Smile at the judge and enjoy.
Smile at the judge and enjoy.
j1ffy
Well-Known Member
Great tips above. I find the list and giving myself extra time really helpful. Also I know that I regularly go completely blank as I ride down the centre line so all I try to remember when I start my test is which way to turn at the end - by then my nerves have usually calmed down enough for my memory to return.
Also people are generally very helpful at shows. Riders may look a bit unapproachable and grumpy if they're nervous but in my experience people are very willing to answer questions if you're unsure. After all we've all had a first time!
Are there any particular things that make you nervous or that you're unsure about? I'm pretty sure the hive-mind here has been through just about every possible scenario so feel free to ask questions.
Good luck and make sure you report back
Also people are generally very helpful at shows. Riders may look a bit unapproachable and grumpy if they're nervous but in my experience people are very willing to answer questions if you're unsure. After all we've all had a first time!
Are there any particular things that make you nervous or that you're unsure about? I'm pretty sure the hive-mind here has been through just about every possible scenario so feel free to ask questions.
Good luck and make sure you report back
lottiepony
Well-Known Member
Nothing really to add other than to say good luck!
Enjoy as best you can (it's easier said than done when you're nervous and stressed) focus on all the good points. Agree with setting little goals, first time I took my youngster out my only goal was to actually just get on lol.
If you can take someone with you who will help remove any stress then do. My 2 friends that normally come with me ensure everything is always good as I know they have everything covered - I must look a right prima donna at times as they deal with my horse but we have a system and it works a treat, I know that with their help me and horse will be looking the part at least, one less thing to worry about
Enjoy as best you can (it's easier said than done when you're nervous and stressed) focus on all the good points. Agree with setting little goals, first time I took my youngster out my only goal was to actually just get on lol.
If you can take someone with you who will help remove any stress then do. My 2 friends that normally come with me ensure everything is always good as I know they have everything covered - I must look a right prima donna at times as they deal with my horse but we have a system and it works a treat, I know that with their help me and horse will be looking the part at least, one less thing to worry about
muddybay
Well-Known Member
I'm excited now! I'll report back when I have (hopefully good) news! I'm mostly worried about the warm up and the white boards in the dressage dressage arena
Pippity
Well-Known Member
Mine was a bit boggled by her first sight of dressage boards, but completely forgot them in her horror at seeing MIRRORS for the first time! So, if the comp arena will have mirrors, I definitely recommend making sure your horse has encountered them before the test!
Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
Change worries into plans: Eg 'I'm worried about the warm up' or 'I'm worried about the boards" are passive whereas, "what's my plan for dealing with the boards'', how will I structure the warm up to help us both" is proactive. Over thinking tends t be about fretting whereas planning and preparation is useful.
If you have a chance to see boards first, then great. Do that. If not plan a longer warm up and once you are allowed to start going round the outside, do this on both reins so she sees them from both eyes - ie both halves of her brain
Decide what the warm up needs to achieve and how you will get there: she needs to be physically warmed up but also on the aids, listening and relaxed. So what can you do to achieve that? Amber was super hot in dressage as it was always part of an ODE and she knew XC was coming up. So the warm up included lots of lateral work so I could get my leg on and make her accept it without her being too forward off it. Toby needed to amble around on a long rein and sniff things. Very different!
Accept all outcomes as useful in different ways. Of course doing well is lovely but your first test is about introducing her to new things and getting loads of feedback from her about what she is fine with and what needs work. If she reacts to the boards or is tense and jogs or whatever, then that does not mean it went 'wrong' it just showed you an issue you need to address for next time.
If you have a chance to see boards first, then great. Do that. If not plan a longer warm up and once you are allowed to start going round the outside, do this on both reins so she sees them from both eyes - ie both halves of her brain
Decide what the warm up needs to achieve and how you will get there: she needs to be physically warmed up but also on the aids, listening and relaxed. So what can you do to achieve that? Amber was super hot in dressage as it was always part of an ODE and she knew XC was coming up. So the warm up included lots of lateral work so I could get my leg on and make her accept it without her being too forward off it. Toby needed to amble around on a long rein and sniff things. Very different!
Accept all outcomes as useful in different ways. Of course doing well is lovely but your first test is about introducing her to new things and getting loads of feedback from her about what she is fine with and what needs work. If she reacts to the boards or is tense and jogs or whatever, then that does not mean it went 'wrong' it just showed you an issue you need to address for next time.
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muddybay
Well-Known Member
We did it! He was spooky but not half as bad as I thought he would be we finished the test to come 10th and the judges said when he is more settled his marks could be much higher! I'm buzzing
Carrottom
Well-Known Member
Well done!
j1ffy
Well-Known Member
Fantastic- well done!!
lottiepony
Well-Known Member
Onwards and upwards! Well done! Any pretty photos? That's all I wanted from my first outing - the nice pro pic!