GoHorseShow has published several successful articles about Equitation, including, Carolyn Rice: How To Win at the Big Shows in Equitation, and Kendra Weis Breaks Down Congress Equitation Pattern. These past articles asked the opinions of trainers and judges. This time we have decided to interview Parris Rice, who is a two-time AQHA World Champion in equitation and also rides for Baylor University’s equestrian team on a full scholarship.
Our first article in this series, World Champion Courtney Ryan Shares Showmanship Tips was an overwhelming success. In this new article, we asked Rice to share some tips about how exhibitors can improve their skills in this challenging class. We asked her questions about practice habits, show routine, and mental toughness. Let’s find out what she had to say.
Q: What do you think is the best advice you can give a novice or someone who is first starting to show in this class?
A: To a novice or somebody just starting to show in the equitation I would suggest learning your diagonals. It is very important to feel which diagonal you are on without having to look down at the horse’s shoulders. I would also suggest doing a lot of leg strengthening work (riding without irons), it makes riding in a hunt seat saddle so much easier, and will also help in your other events!
Q: What do you think it is that you have as far as your abilities that sets you apart from others?
A: I have always been a person who will work until I get something right, and I like to practice. If I had the time, I would ride all day! When I practice, I spend a lot of time working on my heels, making sure they are down. When I watch other riders show in the equitation, feet are one of the first things I look at. It is something that I think is important, you need to have a nice leg and foot. I also have a really good horse for the equitation, he is big, but still maneuverable. His size gives us a more hunter type look as opposed to a smaller western horse. Not to say smaller horses cannot be successful, but having a bigger horse helps.
Q: What is your routine to prepare for the equitation at the shows?
A: When I prepare for the equitation at shows, I usually run through the pattern with my trainer the night before so I have a plan of where to go. Then, before the class the next day, I practice the elements of the pattern and work on my body. Depending on the show, I may practice the morning of the class and before the class just do a quick warm up, but that really depends on what the schedule is like.
Q: How often do you practice equitation at home?
A: At home I try to practice a couple times a week. In the summer, I will ride twice a day and one of those rides will be hunt seat.
Q: Do you do anything different before the big shows?
A: Before the big shows, I do a lot of no iron work to really strengthen up my legs. The big shows are where riders are typically asked to drop their irons on the rail or in the pattern, so it is good to feel prepared for that.
Q: How do you normally handle your nerves?
A: To handle my nerves I make sure I know the pattern and both my horse and I are prepared. If I am not confident about an aspect in the pattern, I will talk it over with somebody. For the most part, I try to always be doing something, whether it is cleaning my boots or walking around the arena. When I stop moving, I get nervous.
Q: Any particular exercises you can recommend to others to help make their legs stronger?
A: Robin Frid started having me do what he calls Pyramids. Say you want to do a Pyramid of 30. You would start posting 5 strides and then sit 5, then you would post 10 and sit 5, then post 15 and sit 5. Do this until you reach 30 posting strides. When you have reached the top, you work your way back down in the same manner, but backwards. So posting 25, sit 5, post 20, sit 5. You would do this down to zero. It is a great way to build muscle because it gives you a small break between posting sets. You can choose whatever number you like to be at the top of your Pyramid, but I recommend starting out with a number like 25 or 30, then as you get stronger you can increase that number. It’s a work out, but it’s worth it when you can post around the show pen like it’s no big deal!
Q: Is there anything that you do to prepare yourself mentally?
A: To prepare myself mentally, I make sure I have a plan of how I am going to ride my pattern. I make sure I know where I need to pick my horse up, where I need to relax and where I need to push. I also try to watch a couple patterns, or at least see where the cones are set, so, I can pick out points to ride to in the arena.
Q: Do you practice entire patterns or do them in parts?
A: I usually practice the entire pattern a couple times just so I can get a feel for how it is going to flow together. After that, I practice the different maneuvers and parts. This keeps my horse from anticipating where things come in the pattern, though, I have been very lucky in the fact that he is usually patient and waits for my cue.
Q: Anything else you would like to add that could help others improve their skills?
A: As with anything that you are just learning, or have been doing for a long time, practice is a huge part. Whenever I practice, I always try to practice and ride like the next show I’m going to go is the world show. My mom always told me to practice to show, and it has stuck with me. Practice, becoming stronger, and learning how to put patterns together correctly are all going to help you improve your skills. Even though there may be other limiting factors keeping you from the level you wish to be at, I believe the biggest one is what you believe mentally. If you don’t believe you can do it, it is very hard to do it. Mental confidence can take you extremely far in life.
Q: Thank you so much for sharing your tips to our readers.
A: You’re welcome!
Photo © AQHA, and Kaleena Katz Weakly
