Tips for shows needed

[Mary Poppins]

Over the next few months I seem to have got myself involved in some off yard activities. I am doing a beginners show jumping show in July where I aim to jump the huge height of 30cm. I have also agreed to go on a XC schooling trip with some girls from my yard. My RI is going to be teaching us and my aim is to simply ride in the field with everyone and perhaps trot over some of the 30cm jumps if I feel brave. I’m also doing internet dressage tests and have the option of hacking over to the riding school nearby to do some summer show jumping and dressage. This all depends if I am confident enough to tackle the crossing of an A road and hacking there (which is doubtful to be honest!). A friend and I are also searching for some off site showing classes to do. We have a busy summer planned!

I have only ever taken Ben out a couple of times and all these venues will be new to him. What are your top tips for shows? Do you arrive early or just before your class? Do you have a set warm up? How long do you warm up for? Do you generally sit on your horse between classes or get off? Most of all – HOW DO YOU KEEP CALM?? I am nervous at the thought of all this, but I do want to do it (I think!). All tips are helpful as I have only ever taken him out to a couple of riding club dressage tests before.

 

[Rubic]

I always like to arrive early so I have plenty of time to get ready (tack-up if we've boxed up or just have a walk round and get an idea of what is going on of we've hacked) and a little extra time just to relax!

For my warm up I basically do things as I would in the school at home (if I've hacked there I have a bit of a head start). I have a couple of exercises now that really get her off her forehand and working from behind so I'd make sure to incorporate them into a warm up. Circles and transitions etc. I spend maybe 15min warming up for flat work and maybe an extra 5 for jumping (I only ever pop a jump 2-3 times before I jump a course usually it's a cross pole and then whatever height I'm going in to jump). I think the warm up is just something you pick up over time. I find that sometimes I can go somewhere and all I need to do is work to get Rubic listening and using herself well and other times I need to work on calming her down a little. It varies and I find you just need to adapt to each situation. If you think it would help to plan your warm up then do so, just because you have planned a warm up doesn't mean you need to use it but you'll have it there should you need it!

Usually there is plenty of time between classes so I get off to give Rubic a rest and before my next class I do a slightly quicker warm up if I can.

As for the keeping calm - I find that difficult. I think the more you do things the easier it becomes. I'm fine going to dressage competitions as that is low pressure for me. I find I get a bit more stressed jumping. I also think that for this show tomorrow I will be a bit of a nervous wreck. I have found that the more outings I have gone to the less I have stressed. I think the key to keeping stress low is to be organised and give yourself plenty of time and do not pressure yourself. Set small, achievable goals.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

I've only been to one show, but I enjoyed it so much I didn't have a problem with getting stressed. For me the most important thing to remember is that I'm doing it for FUN and it really doesn't matter what the result is. Then I can do the whole thing with a smile on my face.

I hope you really enjoy yourself, I am sure Ben will be a star!

 

[joosie]

Aim to get there early enough that you can get yourself and Ben ready without having to rush - but not so early that you're waiting for ages to get going. Rushing isn't good for the nerves but neither is hanging around!

As Rubic says your warmup varies depending on your horse and the situation. But remember that the warmup is for exactly that - warming up yourself and your horse - the warmup is not for schooling, you have done the work at home. You won't need a long warmup for a small jumping course, but at the same time if it is a new venue for Ben you will want to give him enough time to have a look around and get used to the atmosphere. I'd suggest plenty of walk and stretching first, both to loosen him up and to get yourself in the right frame of mind. Then a bit of trot on each rein and a couple of laps of canter. No need to do too much and tire yourselves out. If Ben needs waking up then plenty of transitions should help... if he needs calming down then trot may be better than canter as cantering in a warmup with other horses can make them really keen.

Just a handful of practise jumps - you have done the preparation at home and you know you're both ready, so no need to do too many. Focus on impulsion and straightness, and make sure you jump off both reins. You can also use it as an opportunity to work on a potential problem you might have spotted while you were walking the course - for example if there's a tight or difficult turn into a jump and you think you might struggle for space, do a practise jump off a tight turn so you know you and Ben will be ready for it.

One of my biggest bugbears at competitions is seeing people sitting around on their horses for ages between classes. If you are having a break then your horse should get one too! Tack off, tie up with a haynet or take him in-hand for a graze. Don't forget to offer him a little drink too, a lot of people seem to forget this! ((Talking of water - take your own bucket, and make sure you fill it with RUNNING water from a tap/hosepipe. Some shows will put out a large tub of water that you can dunk your bucket in... but avoid these like the plague as this is a brilliant way for germs to spread. Don't let a strange horse drink from Ben's bucket either.))

Keeping calm is something that comes with practise and after 2 years of competing I for one am still not quite there, although it is getting easier. I find the best way to get a handle on my nerves is to try to imagine I'm actually just at the yard. I'm not competing against other people and I'm not being watched by a crowd, I'm jumping at home with my boss giving me instructions and maybe just a cat or two for an audience. And two things that should help once you're in the saddle - talk to Ben and yourself, and remember to BREATHE, it is way too easy to forget that when you're nervous!