Stressy cob when away from home

[Tinkerclinker]

I bought a lovely show cob in England last September and brought him home. He is a complete saint at home, can be spooky but not silly or dangerous. I can cope with that no problems. My issue is when I take him out and about. Had him at his first show last Monday (our showing season doesn't start til spring here) and he bounced the whole time - even in and amongst the lorries and trailers. Wouldn't settle very well in the ring and was a sweaty mess. Not ideal when you are competing in showing classes! He will stand ok in the line up but when within the class he is all biz. I had him out again on Sunday and same scenario. Swinging around in the lorry park and bouncing and sweating.
His previous owner had said he could be a bit Looky-Looky among the lorries etc but always settled in the ring. Looking at photos of him and her competing he looks completely settled, even at big shows like equifestival etc. I only have him on pony nuts and haylage. He is turned out every day, and as I said a complete civilised saint at home. I've tried him on valerian cordial (not comp legal I know) and he is currently on zyklene (started last Friday).
I've a big festival show coming up at the end of April and I honestly don't think I can take him with the way I predict he will get on in the environment. Feeling at a loss

 

[Micky]

Maybe try and take him out to shows and just walk him around for the first few times, not asking him to do anything, no riding, see if he calms down just being led, lots of praise when he is calm, circle him when he stresses. Check you're not nervous too, transferring nerves to him .

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Did he have haylage with his previous owner? It can make some horses very silly.

 

[flirtygerty]

My 3yr old cob had his first in hand season last year, initially we took him to watch, while his field mate did a pleasure ride, he was very excited and looky, we just kept walking him around the lorries (all empty) then practised his in hand, when his first show came, he wasn't phased by the lorries or other horses, was interested, but not bothered, he was placed in both his classes