In spring especially there are a lot of shows. l am very excited but l need some hints or tips on how to do well in my first show. l have been riding for over 4 years and every trainer l have had says l am ready but l just wanna know what to expect. It will be a schooling show of course for the first one. l do Hunter and Jumper and l will enter in an equitation class and hunter under saddle class. l have tall boots, a show shirt, lots of breeches, velvet helmet, and show coat, so l will look my best. But any tips?

Also l wanna hear stories about your first show or shows that you have done in the past. All embarrassing or funny stories are welcome!

Thanks and have a Happy New Year! :)

i'm headin to wellington FL january 2nd. 3 months of fun in the sun and racking up some show points with my horses.CANT WAIT!!
haha anyway, good luck!!
my first show was walt/trot and l actually won my classes but it was a schooling show as well. it was fun and l liked feeling all ''grown up'' and like l achieved something with my horse :D

l have a show this weekend, my mares first and my geldings first.

Wish us luck!
(:

Good Luck at ur show!

Make sure u wear normal clothes to the show. l expect u will be grooming & tacking up ur horse so u do not want to get dirt on ur clothes.Lol.

l normally wear my chaps & jeans to the show grounds & groom my horse & tack hem up & warm her up about 1 hour before my first class. Then l will untack her & groom her to ''show standard'' with Show Sheen(it will become ur best friend if u show a lot.Lol.) & make sure her white marks have been washed with whitening shampoo & u can also use polish on her hooves etc,. Then l will tack her up & put a scrim sheet on her & make a quick run for the bathroom & change then come back & take the sheet off & mount & go to the in gate. l always make sure l have my mom or a groom near by though, at shows it can be stressful on ur first time or two because u want everything to be perfect. So having that person to help u when u need them is a good idea. Also get there early & learn ur course. By USEF rules, the course sheet HAS to be posted at least 30 minutes before the class starts so l always learn it before my warm up. Just have a ''game plan'' & know all the times u will be entering for ur class & plan around it, & always plan with a little extra time because something always happens to where u r going to need a few extra minutes.Lol.

l went to my first show when l was 4 l think. l dont have any pictures on my computer from when l was that young
l do have some from when l was 6 though.
Ive gone on from there. Ive always had good looking horses & have either schooled them well or mum has schooled them for me so always done well.

The first time l did a working hunter course we went clear, won the first place, then went champion so denoviced ourselves on our first outing. we could compete in novice classes for the rest of the season (about 3 weeks left of it at that stage) but after that l had to go into the opens. was a bit miffed about that as l realy could have done with a bit longer in novices as it was we didnt manage to get out to a workers show for the rest of the season so l ended up with one novice class under my belt before having to go into the opens.

take a groom with you! l usualy have my amazing mum on hand with my horses waiting to take the next 1 in the ring & some water[you will need it!!!].
change of clothes is good. go down with some really scruffy clothes over the top or u can change.
stay calm.
focus.
mane & tail spray. extra pretty. =]
whitening spray or chalk is a good idea if ur horse has white markings!
turn up way earlier than u think u need to because 9 times out of 10 something will happen/turn up & u will get delayed! u need plenty of time to sort yourself out & warm ur horse up.
learn ur course before u warm up. well as best u can lol[they always have me confused lol]
dont push ur horse too hard in the warm up eave ur best for the ring ;)
mmm..ahh my minds gone blank l had it all planned in my head.
ill write more if l can remember :s

hope ive helped a little anyways =]

Since ur jumping u will want to have a belt. When u jump ur coat gets lifted up & it just looks strange if u do not have a belt on. A brown cheap leather one is best.
For ur first real show u will feel extremely nervous. Not to scare you. After ur first go in the ring u will be fine. Just remember to smile & have fun. Honestly, if u get worked up u wo not place as well. Did u know smiling controls ur whole body is tension? If u smile the rest of u becomes relaxed. Its cool l know! :)
Make sure to wear breeches that come up to ur belly button. Judges hate seeing low-rise breeches in the show ring.
Braid ur horse, regardless. Learn how before the show.
Do a trial run with all of ur show clothes on & with ''perfect'' form. Make sure everything will fit in the summer.
l hope this helped.

Well hopefully ur horse has been to a show because l entered my old horse into a hunter class, & he was so excited he went faster that he usually did & held his head higher. You have a show pin? And l guess l could give u a horse story.

l went to my first jumping show with a pony that l now own, & we were having a fairly good day. She freaked out at a mini pony, but other that that she wasnt refusing jumps & we had placed 2nd, 2nd, & 5th. We had three fences left in our last round, & then we turned the corner & she tripped on a wet spot & l went flying & hit my shoulder. The people at the showing place over reacted & called an ambulance. So they strapped me to a body board, put a neck brace on my & everything. Stopped the show to bring in the ambulance for me, & l got lifted by some very handsome firemen, it was a cool experiance, but if l was hurt it wouldnt be funny, but it was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me! :p