How to start competing?

[scopeybay98]

Hi
I’m 17 and have been riding for almost 6 years now. I can barely jump and haven’t progressed anywhere near as much as most people would have in 6 years due to an incompetent trainer for the first 3 years and then a move to a different country (UK). I’m thoroughly competent in flat work and horse care etc. and i’m about to start loaning my first horse literally this week. I have family friends who are my age who compete in showjumping and I’ve always wanted to do it. How do I get into it? Once I feel more confident jumping can I enter without a trainer? Or is that just asking to fail? I feel clueless about all this and I feel like time’s running out for me to start competing. Any help would be great!!

 

[RachelFerd]

First things first - your time is not running out! There are lots of people out there who didn't start competing until later in life. My mum started competing properly for the first time when she was in her 50s! Olympic event rider Jock Paget didn't sit on a horse until he was 18.

You mention family friends who compete in show jumping - try talking to them about how they have got started in the sport.

With your loan horse, the key thing will be to get regular help and instruction from an experienced instructor/trainer. In this country most people compete independently of their trainer, but with regular input and lessons. But your trainer will be the person who can confirm to you that you're skilled and ready to enter your first competition. Remember competing is only about putting the homework you've done in training into practice.

In the mean time, make the most of all of the resources available on line - there's tonnes of online webinars available now about competing and training - and there's a wealth of useful instructional training on Horse and Country TV for a small monthly subscription fee too.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Just to clarify - are you currently in the UK?

 

[scopeybay98]

Just to clarify - are you currently in the UK?

yes, Scotland!

 

[scopeybay98]

First things first - your time is not running out! There are lots of people out there who didn't start competing until later in life. My mum started competing properly for the first time when she was in her 50s! Olympic event rider Jock Paget didn't sit on a horse until he was 18.

You mention family friends who compete in show jumping - try talking to them about how they have got started in the sport.

With your loan horse, the key thing will be to get regular help and instruction from an experienced instructor/trainer. In this country most people compete independently of their trainer, but with regular input and lessons. But your trainer will be the person who can confirm to you that you're skilled and ready to enter your first competition. Remember competing is only about putting the homework you've done in training into practice.

In the mean time, make the most of all of the resources available on line - there's tonnes of online webinars available now about competing and training - and there's a wealth of useful instructional training on Horse and Country TV for a small monthly subscription fee too.

Wow thank you so much! I’ll definitely check out those sources you mentioned. Thanks for the examples about your mum and Jock Paget, I suddenly feel really reassured now! Thanks a bunch!! ?

 

[oldie48]

I'd check out your local RC, they are often really good at having low level opportunities that get people started.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Local “field and string” horse shows generally have a clear round ring where you can have a go over a course. They start low and go up in height over the course of the day so if you wizzed effortlessly around a 2’ course you could try 2’6” later. Some competition centres also do clear round evenings using the same principal. I’ve always found them great fun and really useful to improve my skills without the pressure of competing against other combinations.

 

[scopeybay98]

I'd check out your local RC, they are often really good at having low level opportunities that get people started.

Never thought of that, I'll definitely do that. Thanks so much!

 

[scopeybay98]

Local “field and string” horse shows generally have a clear round ring where you can have a go over a course. They start low and go up in height over the course of the day so if you wizzed effortlessly around a 2’ course you could try 2’6” later. Some competition centres also do clear round evenings using the same principal. I’ve always found them great fun and really useful to improve my skills without the pressure of competing against other combinations.

Never knew these were a thing but that's exactly what I need. Thanks so much!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

You do not need a trainer to go with you to shows in the UK.

I agree that finding a local show with a 'clear round' course set up would be ideal. I always used to (when taking a young horse or a new to me horse) pay for two rounds. Generally the first would be a bit cautious but the second - which I would start straight after the first one - would be much better.

 

[TPO]

What area of scotland are you in roughly?

Is it show jumping that you are interested in?

It is difficult with covid/lockdown but always a good idea to go and watch some shows (& warm up arenas) to see how it goes. Generally the show secretaries that take entry money are helpful, especially at SNEC near Edinburgh

 

[scopeybay98]

What area of scotland are you in roughly?

Is it show jumping that you are interested in?

It is difficult with covid/lockdown but always a good idea to go and watch some shows (& warm up arenas) to see how it goes. Generally the show secretaries that take entry money are helpful, especially at SNEC near Edinburgh

Im in Glasgow and it's mainly showjumping that I'm interested in yes! Hoping to go to some shows this year to spectate.

 

[scopeybay98]

You do not need a trainer to go with you to shows in the UK.

I agree that finding a local show with a 'clear round' course set up would be ideal. I always used to (when taking a young horse or a new to me horse) pay for two rounds. Generally the first would be a bit cautious but the second - which I would start straight after the first one - would be much better.

That's a great idea doing the two rounds like that, I'll keep that in mind. Thank you!

 

[TPO]

Ingilston is probably the closest show centre to you (although my geography is shocking so I could be wrong!). Post covid always good to watch and see the process of where to enter, walk the course etc and get a feel foe timings and how the classes run.

Worth looking on the British riding clubs website to find what RC is closest to you and joining there too. Even if you dont take a horse RC always looking for hampers and it expands your horsey network

 

[j1ffy]

Ingilston is probably the closest show centre to you (although my geography is shocking so I could be wrong!). Post covid always good to watch and see the process of where to enter, walk the course etc and get a feel foe timings and how the classes run.

Worth looking on the British riding clubs website to find what RC is closest to you and joining there too. Even if you dont take a horse RC always looking for hampers and it expands your horsey network

I'm sure TPO means helpers but hampers are welcome most places too ?

Spectating is great but helping is even better - if you volunteer at a couple of shows you can see not only how it works, but also watch how other riders warm up and jump, and what organisers welcome or get annoyed by! You also get a real appreciation for how much work goes into running competitions.

Another way of helping is to offer to 'groom' for someone you know, particularly during COVID as spectators won't be allowed by a rider can take one helper with them to most things. You'll get an idea of timings, the preparation required for a show, and once they've finished you can ask plenty of questions.

And I agree with RF - you are definitely not running out of time! I was lucky enough to have a pony and do some small shows when I was a teenager, but then had a 10 year break from riding when I went to Uni then lived / worked in London. I did my first ever dressage competition at a riding school at the age of 29. There are no age limits and you have decades to get to a good level, it's one of the wonderful things about horse riding

 

[scopeybay98]

Ingilston is probably the closest show centre to you (although my geography is shocking so I could be wrong!). Post covid always good to watch and see the process of where to enter, walk the course etc and get a feel foe timings and how the classes run.

Worth looking on the British riding clubs website to find what RC is closest to you and joining there too. Even if you dont take a horse RC always looking for hampers and it expands your horsey network

Thats so helpful, thanks so much!

 

[scopeybay98]

I'm sure TPO means helpers but hampers are welcome most places too ?

Spectating is great but helping is even better - if you volunteer at a couple of shows you can see not only how it works, but also watch how other riders warm up and jump, and what organisers welcome or get annoyed by! You also get a real appreciation for how much work goes into running competitions.

Another way of helping is to offer to 'groom' for someone you know, particularly during COVID as spectators won't be allowed by a rider can take one helper with them to most things. You'll get an idea of timings, the preparation required for a show, and once they've finished you can ask plenty of questions.

And I agree with RF - you are definitely not running out of time! I was lucky enough to have a pony and do some small shows when I was a teenager, but then had a 10 year break from riding when I went to Uni then lived / worked in London. I did my first ever dressage competition at a riding school at the age of 29. There are no age limits and you have decades to get to a good level, it's one of the wonderful things about horse riding

Oh that's great! I'll definitely look into that and it's good to have some reassurance that I'm not running out of time. Thank you!

 

[Pony_56]

How exciting! I recommend starting of competition in jumping by just going to watch a few shows to get the idea. For a first competition I would recommend a fun Christmas/Easter/Halloween type show that doesn’t have an age limit. Or just a little show. Also watching show vlogs on YouTube can teach you the behind the scenes. hope that helps