From: Maddie
Dear Jessica, I have a very small worry about going to my second show in my life... Just that---its my second show in my life! My trainer has been working with me for 2 years and I have been riding before that for 7 years. I've gone from Tennessee Walkers to Quarter Horses to Arabians, you name it! I just start riding this horse named "Show Me" or Luther to all his stable buddies. He is a TB/Paint cross, drop dead gorgeous..but he has a little problem with spooking at things.
The show that I am going to is going to be MAJOR there are 70-80 stalls a huge arena and at least 20 people in each class..when all I'm used to is the schooling show I went to for my first time and only entered in one class! I'm scared to death. Shawna was asking me to enter in "at least" 6 classes..Since it's such a big show and so many people are going to be there, he has soo many things to spook at! And the LAST thing I want is to be laying there on the ground with a horse bucking around scared to death of a potato chip crumbling up and then his rider falling off. Is there anyway that I can get both my horse and me comfortable in a show ring?
Thanks for listening, Maddie
My suggestion would be that you start with a much smaller show, where you can be more relaxed. I can guarantee you that YOUR tension will become your HORSE's tension instantly, and if you aren't able to be calm, stay calm, and retrieve your calmness quickly after a spook or buck, this show is NOT going to be fun.
If it's the only show in your area for the next umpteen months, and you're determined to participate, why not go early and spend the morning just walking around leading your horse? That way you can both get used to the atmosphere, and when you go INTO the ring for a class, it won't be totally unfamiliar. If your horse has a great time walking around with you, seeing the sights, getting groomed, getting treats, and generally thinking that the show is a Good Place To Be, you'll both be able to relax and enjoy one or two afternoon classes.
I think it would be a big mistake to sign up for a lot of classes at your first big show. It's exhausting for you and the horse, not because of the physical demands of the classes themselves, but because of travelling to the show, being in an unfamiliar place, working in large groups, on new footing, etc. If your horse had done this all his life, enjoyed it, and could "babysit" you through the experience, you could safely sign up for three classes or possibly four, although that's a lot to ask of both of you. Or, if YOU had done this all your life, enjoyed it, and could "babysit" HIM through the experience, then you would automatically put him in one or two classes, no more -- and you might not put him in ANY.
If you want to get a horse started on the right path for a show career, you have to keep things pleasant and low-key. This means giving the horse a chance to go to a couple of shows and learn about the show atmosphere, and going in the class OR NOT depending on his degree of relaxation. It also means participating in that class with a different goal in mind: the others may be there for ribbons, but YOU have to be there for your horse, and your goal must be to show him that he CAN work in that ring, safely and comfortably, even with the other horses present and the crowds watching and the microphone rattling. This may mean coming into the middle and stopping during the class to pet the horse and let him stand and relax -- and waving good-bye to any hope of a ribbon. If you need to do this, DO it.
If you participate, don't fight with the horse, and don't expect him to act like a seasoned performer, because he isn't. What you can FAIRLY expect from him at a show is this and no more than this: whatever the two of you do easily and reliably at home, he will be able to do MAYBE 50% or 60% as well at his first big show, where both of you are nervous and distracted. If you keep that in mind, pick a couple of classes that are likely to be very easy for you both, and focus on ENJOYING the day, you'll be able to have a good time and look forward to the next show.
Jessica
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