Young Horse First Show - Advice needed please

[showjumper1]

Molly, my 5 year old Irish horse, is off to her first show on Sunday. We are jumping a 60-80cm training class.

She is schooling nicely and hacks out alone and in company. I am told she went to a couple of training shows in Ireland but I am going to treat her as though she has never been anywhere.

My trainer will hopefully come but it is a busy show weekend so not sure yet.

Things I have thought of already:

All gear out before getting her off the trailer
A lunge line in case she is manic
Red ribbon as I don't know if she kicks in company

In case I cannot leave her on the trailer:
Riding gear on
Enough food and drink for the day
Bucket to pee in

Questions:
What would you do if she gets excited on the trailer when we arrive? Leave her till sshe settles, unload her quickly?
Would you lunge before leaving, on arrival or only if she seems over-excited?
If I get her in the ring and she looks at everything and catleaps, should I finish the course or just do a few and retire?
What do you think about studs? I am thinking no as she has never worn them before, she may not be calm enough to put them in and she might kick someone, another horse or herself. BTW the ground here is ok with no rain forecast between now & Sunday.

This show is all about experience so I am quite prepared to see how it goes, even if that means nothing more than unloading her and letting her graze if she is very stressed.

Thanks for your help

 

[MillbrookSong]

I no goggles is not a young horse but he does behave like one!! I would usually lunge him for 5 mins with tack on before i leave home then untack and on to the lorry. He screams like a girl for about the 1st 10 mins then will settle an is usually fine by the time we get anywhere. I always put the bridle on on the lorry as more control when you get off and then saddle up outside and maybe even put front boots on if you use them inside. If i feel when im doing this he is a little hyper i will spin him around on the lunge for another 5 mins just with reins behind stirrups and on the inside bit ring. Then get on and off you go!! Re studs i would leave them think i will this year with gogs.

When in the ring i would maybe speak to the sec and explain and ask even if you get Eed or your horse naps could you carry on! This happen to gogs the 1st time we took him out on grass and i made him carry on round even if he was spooking going backward etc - just make sure you keep calm and dont get stressed/embarrassed about what your horse is doing!! and smile and it will all be fine!! oh and try and get some pics!! Beth

 

[henryhorn]

My husband took one of our four year olds to it's first party yesterday, and she was exceptionally well behaved. There is a fairground immediately next to the field and she was transfixed watching all that was going on.
She didn't attempt to kick or mess about, but was goggle eyed in the ring, but she got a clear round rosette over the rustic course and just 8 faults in her next two classes.
He got off her to give her a rest and she was happy standing in the shade with other horses.
The secret really is how relaxed you are, if she feels worked up, slump like a sack of spuds on her back and watch how she too goes calmer.
I would actually get her out of the trailer as soon as possible, and lead her round on the lunge line for a nibble at the grass. That works very well in terms of calming them down.
Remember the show is a training outing, and just see how she goes. our mare stopped at the sight of a little yellow wall, but was happy to pop it second attempt, husband said it was difficult because her eyes were looking everywhere but at the fences!
We came home pleased with our horse, next plan will be to hire a local XC course and allow her to follow one of the older horses round whatever she looks capable of.
Just don't get into any fights with her, and make the whole thing as easy and happy as you can.
I reckon you will be fine..

 

[Bubblegum]

With our baby horses... I have always tried to take them to their first few shows with a companion. It really does seem to help settle them if they have a friend to lean on. I don't know if this is possible for you...?
Just keep calm and remember it is a learning day for you all...her because its her first show and you because it's the first time you have taken her out and don't know what to expect. No pressure. If she is very stressed when you get there, then just ride her round the show ground and then come home. No need to take her in the ring if she's not up to it. There's always next time.
It sounds like you are very well prepared... so good luck. All the very best.

 

[1275gta]

I took my five year old out for the first time a few weeks ago and we parked away from everything else, I know not always possible, I tacked up and got on and just walked around away from other horses until he settled then did some trot and canter before taking up ot collecting ring full of small wizzy ponies. He was bemused with the goings on and did a clear althought an untidy one, didn't do the jump off as it was a 2 phase com and I figured we would leave it for another day. I then walked him round and let him stand about for 1/2 and hour or so before taking him home.

 

[Kallibear]

I would get there with plenty of time to spare - at least an hour, preferably two so she can relax and have a look about.

Don't take her with a friend as they generally become horribly attatched and a nightmare when seperated.

I like to take them out inhand to just mooch around and see the place (hence arriving really early). I wouldn't tack up and ride until she's started to chill and can happily stand still and doze, or calmly munch her hay or grazing.

If she's not calm enough to quietly stand tied-up, I wouldn't be tacking up at all. She's only going to be more excitable under saddle. And there is nothing more annoying that chasing after a fidgetting horse with a saddle/trying to put boots on etc.

I wouldn't be too worried about having everything ready to go go go. As I said, if she's not chilled enough to stand whilst you get organised (and standing quietly, eating a haynet is relaxing in itself) then I wouldn't be tacking up anyways.

Also give yourself plenty of time to warm up, then add time on to let her stand and chill under saddle (the thing that really helped Kalli relax was the standing at the ring edge, dozing whilst others jumped). If you wait for her to relax before getting on then the warm up and riding shouldn't be too much hassle.

 

[stencilface]

I wouldn't recommend lungeing tbh. I think lungeing at shows can be dangerous with even an experienced horse. Big field and if they run off, then not only do you have a loose horse, but a loose horse with a trailing lunge line. This is very dangerous and have seen horses pulled over due to a loose horse with lungeline attached running past them.

I wouldn't bother with studs if you are not sure about her kicking others. I think the worst thing you can do for her behaviour is be nervous/anxious yourself, so just make sure you are as relaxed as possible. Make sure you are uber-organised the day before and know the way etc so there is nothing to add to your stress on the day.

And enjoy it, I'm sure she wil enjoy her first party with you. Don't stress if she is a bit jittery or excitable, thats much better than indifference imo. And a few bucks from exuberance aren't always bad either

 

[Bossanova]

I do it quite businesslike-

Tack up before we leave and lunge/ride them if I think excess energy may be a problem!
I take a small pony as a companion- the aim is to leave it on the lorry but if required it can come off and give the baby a lead.
I get straight on as soon as off the lorry and go. No waiting around, I find it best to get them occupied and focused on me. Especially if its a big horse, handling from the ground in an unfamiliar and stressful situation could be quite dangerous.

 

[AutumnRose]

This is a really interesting post as taking new boy out to his first show on Sunday. Has made me think that i'm not very prepared though......i was just thinking i'd turn up and see how it goes.

Going early as getting a lift with pony on yard who's doing earlier classes so should have lot's of time to wander about and take in the sights. Also deliberately choosen a small local show which i know will be fairly quiet so shouldn't be too much of a shock for the poor chap.

Let us know how it goes