What prep for first shows?

[Abbeygale]

Can anyone tell me what preparation they do for youngsters first shows? i.e. 2yo in hand first shows? I'm meant to be taking my 2yo to her first local show tomorrow - and I am feeling horribly nervous and unprepared.

She is normally a very well behaved girl with lovely manners at home - I haven't spent ages handling her - but she does get handled every day and I do expect good manners in and out of the stable every single day.

I am just on the verge of jibbing out of going tomorrow - so someone please tell me what they do before first shows?

Thanks much xx

 

[ldlp111]

dont panic just take her and have some fun

 

[Abbeygale]

I am just panicking already - I don't think I do "enjoying" shows - but I know she needs to go out and see some sights, sooner rather than later.

Oooh - I wish I wasn't such a chicken!

 

[ldlp111]

i took my not so young horse when she was a year old i think she didnt care one bit, even loaded first on way back as horse i took as companion wouldnt lol

 

[Abbeygale]

That's the other thing - Flo is a very laid back girly most of the time - and I am wondering if I should take our pony as a companion - or if this will cause more trouble when I actually go in the ring?

 

[ldlp111]

if you plan on doing a class i would say take her on her own as she wont be getting wound up about not being near other horse, but she might not care one bit about other horse, mayb you could take her just to show her around ie not do a class then you dont have any pressure

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

We took our two year old to her first show recently, she had barely been out of the field before then. We practised walking and trotting in hand (all our live out so they don't get led all the time), had been practising loading earlier in the spring, and she loaded and travelled like a dream there and back. We gave her a wash and brush up, but not a full bath, and we didn't plait because we felt it would whizz her up having to stay still for so long!

The judge won't expect perfection in behaviour from a two year old, just stay safe and go to the pub afterwards to celebrate getting through it!

 

[nicolaread]

just stay chilled out + dont worry bout where u come. if ur really nervous she will wonder wots up so if ur really bad take some rescue remidie, it will really chill u out