Preparing your pony for a show
Going to your first show can be exciting but for some it can also be a nerve-wracking experience. Preparation is the key to ensuring your first show is a success. It is important that you don't leave everything to the last minute, so think about the following things before the big day:
- Can you ride to the show or will you need to travel your pony in a trailer? If it is the latter, make sure you have practiced loading your pony plenty of times before the day of the show so that he will be happy to go into the trailer on the day.
- Ensure you have all the travel equipment you need such as travel boots, tail bandage, rugs etc
- Is your pony fit enough to be entered into your first show? If you haven't ridden him very much over the winter months, you will need to gradually increase his fitness levels before your first show of the season.
- If you and your pony have never been to a show before it is a good idea just to go and ride around the show ground to get a feel for what goes on. You could perhaps do a small clear round jumping class and then leave on a good note. This will give you confidence to enter more classes when you go to the next show.
The day before the show
You will want to make your pony look as smart as possible, so if the weather is warm enough you could give him a bath. If it is still a bit cold you could just wash his tail and legs.
It is a good idea to clean your tack and boots the day before so that everything is looking smart for the day of the show. Remember to try on your smart jodhpurs and jacket to check that they still fit and are clean and ready to wear.
The Morning of the Show
If you are planning to be at the show all day, make sure you give your pony an appropriate breakfast so that he has enough energy to do all the classes you have chosen to do. Remember to take water and a hay net with you for your pony.
Do a checklist to make sure you have everything you need, and don't forget money or a packed lunch and a drink for yourself.
If you are planning to plait your pony's mane and tail, give yourself plenty of time to do this as you may feel a little out of practice at the beginning of the show season.
At the Show
Arrive in plenty of time to collect your competition number from the secretary if you don't already have it. At this stage it is easy to get nervous, but try and stay calm and do those last minute jobs before your class such as painting on hoof oil and giving your pony a final groom.
At least 15 minutes before your class, tack up and find a safe and quiet corner to warm up so your pony has a chance to have a good look around and adjust to the surrounding before you go into your class.
Whether you win a rosette or not, the main thing is to have fun! It should be an enjoyable experience for both yourself and your pony and it is always a good idea to leave on a high note before you and your pony get too tired.