Are You Ready to Show Your Horse?

Posted by Laura Thompson Nov 6, 2008

After almost 10 years of riding instruction, the question I am asked most often by my students is still, "Can I go to a horse show yet?" All of my students are anxious to ride in front of their families and friends, proving once and for all that yes, they can ride a horse.

I am probably more cautious than most riding instructors about putting my students in the horse show arena. Part of this is because I teach three-day eventing, which is one of the most dangerous equestrian sports, but it is also because I believe in preparation. I want my students to have a positive experience when they first go to a horse show, and taking a tumble or missing a fence is not part of that scenario.

A horse show is not a competition to take lightly, and a negative experience can mean that the student never shows again. At my first horse show, I trotted my buckskin pony into the dressage arena, and before we made it to 'X', he started bucking and wouldn't move forward. Fortunately, my trainers provided me with sufficient encouragement to convince me that I should give it a second try.

So how do you know if you are ready for a horse show?

Perform Mock Shows. Riding instructors can help their students prepare for a horse show by holding mock shows during lessons. Jump a course, perform a dressage test, run a set of barrels—whatever you will be doing in the arena. If you feel confident and in control, you're probably ready for your horse show.

Trailer Out. Horses behave differently when they are ridden far from home. To see if you are ready for a horse show, take the horse someplace new (such as show grounds or a local park) to see how he behaves. He will likely have more energy and might not be as responsive to commands. If you handle it well, a horse show is the next step.

Know the Process. A three-day event horse show runs much differently from a hunter/jumper or western pleasure show. Know exactly what happens from the moment you arrive until it's time to head home, from schooling before the event to getting dressed. Unless you know the schedule and the process, you aren't ready for a horse show.

Find a Mentor. If you are an autonomous horseback rider, find a mentor to help you prepare for your first horse show. It can be an experienced friend, riding instructor, trainer or parent—just make sure he or she knows the ropes at horse shows.