Getting to a competition so you have time to warm up

Ponycarrots

Ponycarrots

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How long before your time to compete do you get to the competition?
I'm on at 11:10am. Was thinking of getting there 30-40 mins before to give time to warm up. Is this a bit over the top or would you leave more time?
New to the competing world :P
 
We normally arrive 25 minutes before our classes start. We get ready in the lorry on the way, and tack horses up in lorry once we've arrived (depending how many are in and the weather), then go and sign in, that normally takes 5 mins, so we have 20 mins to warm up, which is normally plenty.
 
It really depends on you and your pony, you will know how long he/she normally takes to warm up, but you will also have to park, get your bearings, find the secretary, collect your number as well as tack up and warm up so unless you know the venue I'd allow at least an hour for half an hour's warm-up time.
Good luck, hope you have a great day!
 
We always aim to get to a competition one hour before our start time. This allows a leisurely amount of time to collect numbers, get bearings, tack up, get into competition gear etc, then 20 minutes warm up time. However, this means if we get delayed on the journey, there is still time to get everything done if we go like the clappers!
 
Thanks guys. I'm having to hack there as I don't have transport! So don't have to tack up when I get there which will save time.
I was thinking half an hour to warm up will be about right. He's a spooky ****** but I'm hoping the hour's hack coupled with a good warmup will settle him at least a bit!
 
Ponycarrots said:
Thanks guys. I'm having to hack there as I don't have transport! So don't have to tack up when I get there which will save time.
I was thinking half an hour to warm up will be about right. He's a spooky ****** but I'm hoping the hour's hack coupled with a good warmup will settle him at least a bit!
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Oh, well then I'd say an hour and a bit is sensible :)
 
I always aimed to arrive 1.5 hours before my time.

That gave me time to unload, set up, groom/tack up/paint feet/do my hair and stock, change into my whites and jacket...go to the loo, run through my test a couple of times....have ten mins down time and then get on for a 30 to 40 min warm up.

I hate feeling rushed!

In the early days with a young horse I give myself even longer as I like to do two warm ups
 
Depends what i am doing

I compete on my own so i need to have enough time to do everything myself!

If its dressage i arrive 1 hour before as i like 30 mins warm up
if it's sj i will arrive about 40 mins before as i only need 10 mins warm up
if i am eventing then i allow myself 30 mins course walk & then studding takes longer so i get there 1 hour 30 before dressage time :)
 
Fig needs an hour and 15 to warm up, sometimes longer at bigger competitions. And then we usually arrive 20-30 mins before that. Makes it a longer day but is what works for the horse.
 
Mine don't take long to warm up but we still get there an hour before time so can be relaxed and use the cafe and not quite so stuck if traffic not good :)
 
I'm a nervous customer, so I like to get to comps early! I also worry (often groundlessly) about loading, so I figure if I leave plenty of time, I'll be calmer!

If hacking to unaffiliated dressage, arriving 1/2 hour before my time seems fine. It's about what I used to aim for in similar circumstances.
 
Since you are hacking there I would think 30 mins is plenty if you know the venue and so on.

I need an hours riding before my mare is properly warmed up and I would want an hour preparation for anything that wasn't held at my local venue where I know the score about everything if that makes sense.

Mostly you are unlikely to regret being early!
 
I always like to be there 1 hr before so i can let my mini horse stretch out, have something to eat (soaked hay just) and then i like to warm up for about 10mins before i go in. I have figure out that this is the best method for him. I have to be really strict on grass though - one taste and i've lost him and i don't get him back. He was placed last at our first ever show cause i didn't know this and he was grazing away like everyone elses was and then in the ring he was a demon and the judge said he was too angry to place. Never was like it again after the no grass ban!!
 
I always allow for flat tyres and other emergencies when competing. It usually mean's I'm ridiculously early for most things, but bonus is I get the best park!

OP if you are hacking, he may need a bit of a rest rather than warming up. But planning to arrive at least 30 minutes before your time is a good plan. Good luck! Let us know how you get on.
 
For dressage- my girl takes 40 mins to warm up, so I get there 1 hour 30 mins ish beforehand. That accounts for troubles loading at home, any delays travelling, brush off, tack up, loo break, run over tests and getting my whites on and ready. I like to give her a good 20 minutes walking and stretching her out before picking up and starting working her in. I use my first class as the warm up and get her settled. In the break between the two I give her a long rein and then fine tune her in the last ten minutes before the second test.

Go out and remember to smile! Good luck :)
 
It depends on the horse and I think it takes a little while to nail a competition warm up routine that suits you best but I think what you have planned should work great.

Good luck and have fun :)
 
It really depends on your horse, mine needs approx 40 min warmup, I aim to be there 1hr30-2hrs before my time to allow for warmup, tackup and him to have his massage pad on, plus some faffing time. When I used to hack to shows I think I allowed about 20-30 mins warmup for previous horse, plus some time to take off hi viz etc. Sometimes I used to give him a break too. For your first time I think it will be a case of finding out what works.
 
Thanks for all the replies, it's good to know what other people do, sounds like half an hour is the general verdict :)
One more sleep til the competition now! Can't wait haha!
 
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