show tips

I know this is a common kind of question and then people usually get some of the same answers. But what are some good show tips for hunters, jumpers, and eq? I will be showing in all three this weekend and have shown in them multiple times before. This is my first true show with Minor though. My trainer has told me to take as much time as I need, and not talk to anyone until I was done showing for the day (saturday; hunters and eq). And to study my courses and know it down to the last stride (hunters, eq, and jumpers). I know to have plenty of water and to stay calm and the rest of that kinda normal stuff, but anything that could help a lot? That may be a little confusing haha but you get it. Also, Minor is very skittish kinda pony and will have to be walked an awful lot as soon as I get to the show on friday. And then I will be school on friday night, and then on saturday morning, and on sunday morning! So tips would be great! I am just so excited for this show! And I will be showing pony hunters, pony jumpers, eq o/f, and a flat hunter and flat eq class. And i'm thinking if he's calm and good for me about entering into a 2'6 hunter class! But i'm not exactly sure. Only if he's super good and our rounds in 2' are great. Thanks!

Breathe, and exhale at the base of each fence. I see SO many riders that hold their breath before takeoff at a show and don't realize the effect it has on their horse. When you breathe in, often so does the horse and that causes hesitation and can make the horse suck back or stick to the leg. A calm exhale at the base of each fence can help with confidence and in keep the horse in front of your leg.

Good luck!!!

thanks! I've never really thought about breathing in front of the fences like that so that should really help!

This is going to sound ridiculous, but for my first class (i show hunter) I don't worry about anything other then distances, and staying on course. Theyre two easy things, and the confidence boost you get from having a smooth ride helps for the rest of the show!