Top Tips for Newcomers to Horse Showing

From Stable to the Show Ring!

Stepping into the exhilarating world of horse showing as a newcomer can be both
thrilling and daunting. As you prepare to highlight your horse’s talents and your own
skills in the arena, it’s essential to arm yourself with knowledge, plenty of patience
and work with a deep understanding of the bond between you and your horse.
Learning the skills to show your horse can throw up challenges but also rewards by
competing alongside fellow equestrians, laying the foundation for a fulfilling journey
in the world of horse showing.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your skills, here are five top
tips to help you begin:

Know the Basics Before entering any competitions, ensure you and your horse
have a solid foundation in basic training. This includes groundwork, obedience to
instruction, and basic riding skills. Your horse should be comfortable with being
handled, groomed, and tacked up in preparation for shows. Source information from
breed societies and their rulebooks about how horses or ponies should be turned out
for showing classes. Information online is in abundance, but opinions may vary. So,
find an experienced competitor or trainer that gives solid and clear advice.
Practice and Prepare: Consistent practice is key to success in horse showing.
Spend time off season refining your riding skills and working on specific manoeuvres
required for your chosen classes. Practice in different environments particularly in
company to help your horse become accustomed to the distractions and atmosphere
of a show ring. Cantering in a ring with other horses can be an excitable party to
many inexperienced horses, so train them to be used to horses cantering in front,
around and beside them.

Choose the Right Classes: Decide which classes suit both you and your horse’s
ability and interest. If it is your first outing in the show ring choose a class that suits
your level of experience and your horse’s ability, treating it as a training session. Use
in hand classes for younger and green horses to gain experience in the show ring. If
you are still not sure which class to enter then head out to your local show and watch
some classes. Take note of how they perform, what they are wearing and how they
are turned out.

Presentation Matters: Pay attention to your appearance and your horse’s
presentation. Ensure both you and your horse are clean, well-groomed, and properly
turned out for class. Your turn out should be correct for the chosen class, so do your
research beforehand. Ensure tack is supple, clean and correctly fitted to the horse and not too fussy. Judges will be looking at the overall picture of nice turnout and a well-schooled horse.

Seek Feedback and Learn: Take advantage of opportunities to learn and improve.
Attend clinics, workshops, and lessons with experienced trainers or riders. Don’t be
afraid to ask for feedback from judges or more experienced competitors after your
first few showing classes. Learning from both successes and mistakes will help you
grow as a rider and improve your performance in future shows.

Remember, horse showing is as much about the journey and the bond you develop
with your horse as it is about winning ribbons. Stay patient, stay positive, and most of
all have fun!

Heathfield Agricultural Show is on Saturday 25th May 2024.