Tips for competing alone?

Bernster

Bernster

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 August 2011
Messages
8,141
Location
London
Visit site
I know a few people have posted about travelling/competing solo, but now that I am faced with that possibility, I could do with some tips myself! Particularly showing related please - it is actually do-able? I've been out the huge total of 2 times so far and we've been placed every class, but I have had my super groom plaiting demon friend with me. She isn't free for the next one and I really want to do it as it's the only local/novice working hunter I can make this summer.

There seems to be a lot of faff involved in showing, with the hours of cleaning, trimming and primping ahead of time (but I do have a grey). Then when you get there, there's more last minute polishing etc., inc the last minute poo stains which boyo seems to specialise in, and putting boots on/off for jumping, and going to the loo (me, not him) blah blah blah.

If you show on your own, how do you manage it ?!

Hmm, maybe I'm just not cut out for this showing malarkey...it also means I really need to nail those plaits, yikes.

Added a pic for attention :)
image_25.jpeg
 
Last edited:
My tips:

1. Go eventing, so you don't have to be quite so shiny.
2. Buy a cob, so you can hog its mane
3. Buy a cob, so it will stand on the trailer and wait quietly for you.
3. Get there in lots of time to wander around, pick up your number, work out where everything is and if it's running to time, then get horse out, tack up, work in, compete, done.

To be honest after doing pony club with 2 children, a day out competing by myself seems like a doddle. It's not really difficult, you just have to leave the lorry park in the kit you will compete in, and you can't take stuff with you to the ring i.e. grooming kit etc. Have an emergency number on your phone and on your lorry, and try to identify if any friends are going too, and that they know you are on your own in case anything happens. It is nice and relaxing being just you and the horse!
 
I actually find greys no harder than any other colour to turn out once you get organised and have the washing, chalking, bandaging etc sorted, they shine enough once clean so that there is not much to do once you get there as dust doesn't show in the same way as it does on a dark colour, travel in bandages, under boots if used, to keep the legs as clean as possible, put chalk on first and by the time you take them off the legs will look immaculate.
Plait the bottom of the tail after washing, travel with it in a tail bag.
I always plait the mane in the morning it just looks neater and less wispy.
Get some spot on stain remover for last minute marks.

On the day be really organised, get everything you may need ready and easy to reach, there will always be someone nearby to take boots off after jumping, just ask someone who looks capable, it would be very rare for anyone to decline, if the judge is stripping the horses again just ask another persons groom for help to get the saddle off and back on, when I was showing a lot there was always someone willing to help another competitor who was alone, just ask for help at a time when they have finished their own, if you can take a few wet wipes in your pocket you can use them to wipe away any minor marks but I have often seen grooms using their own kit on someone else's horse in times of need.
 
Thx both, those are v helpful. I do grumble about not having a nice dark cob that I could hog, but then I'd still be doing all that trimming I suppose!

Sounds like the main thing is to be prepared and get there in plenty of time. Slightly worrying as I am always late! But the next show isn't until the afternoon so I should really have plenty of time.

Never thought about leaving a number in the lorry etc.
 
Bernster, I know you are SE area, depending on date/location, I could poss come and help out. Drop me a PM if you like :)

Otherwise - be over organised as mentioned above, you can do it on your own, the only issue will be stripping out but easily covered.

I have a laminated card that I pop on the drivers window every time I exit the cab these days as fly solo everywhere; it has my name with DoB and allergies etc on it, plus at least 2 contact numbers for others, as well as yard postcode on it (v necessary when drag hunting on own as at least horse can be sent home (or others can draw lots to drive box back as they will be able to look up location etc)
 
I've done it for years, its hard work, esp the showing but fun. Once people know you are on your own you usually get help with loo runs and the like. The showing is the hardest because everyone is so busy and its really hard to achieve and maintain the turn out. Mine was a piebald and a dirt and poo magnet <<<<<< but overall i had fun. I made sure I had everything to hand and that he was trained to stand tied and off we went. I think he preferred the dressage.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Bernster, I know you are SE area, depending on date/location, I could poss come and help out. Drop me a PM if you like :)

Otherwise - be over organised as mentioned above, you can do it on your own, the only issue will be stripping out but easily covered.

I have a laminated card that I pop on the drivers window every time I exit the cab these days as fly solo everywhere; it has my name with DoB and allergies etc on it, plus at least 2 contact numbers for others, as well as yard postcode on it (v necessary when drag hunting on own as at least horse can be sent home (or others can draw lots to drive box back as they will be able to look up location etc)
Click to expand...

Ah thanks F that's v sweet, I think as I'm doing novice classes that I don't need to tack off tack, which is easier. Its all the faff beforehand I've got to get my head around, as well as getting myself ready. I suspect we will not look a picture of serenity haha.
 
horsemadmum1 said:
Someone will always hold your horse if you need the loo etc.
Click to expand...
. I might also take my ahem emergency toilet (bucket with straw!).

Sukistokes2 said:
I've done it for years, its hard work, esp the showing but fun. Once people know you are on your own you usually get help with loo runs and the like. The showing is the hardest because everyone is so busy and its really hard to achieve and maintain the turn out. Mine was a piebald and a dirt and poo magnet <<<<<< but overall i had fun. I made sure I had everything to hand and that he was trained to stand tied and off we went. I think he preferred the dressage.
Click to expand...

Mine is better on the lorry so at least I can leave him there whilst I go register etc. It is a lot of work although at least the classes last a bit longer so you get more bang for your buck! Im finding it tricky trying to work out the timings.
 
You need to do a few over this way! You and F can stay overnight, and TFF and I will turn him into a show pony! I'm sure Tink would like to see her big brother!
 
Auslander said:
You need to do a few over this way! You and F can stay overnight, and TFF and I will turn him into a show pony! I'm sure Tink would like to see her big brother!
Click to expand...

Honestly it feels like I need a small army of people to get us both in order! I assume it gets easier the more you do but I might be wiped out before I get there, or disappear in a puddle of blue rinse shampoo...Is South Bucks in your neck of the woods?!
 
Don't be afraid to nab the person in line next to you groom to check you can use their block to remount or grab a quick leg up! I've done a few larger shows without a groom to come in and people are always helpful, offering to put the saddle away from the horse and checking you can get back on etc. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top