There are many factors to when it comes to being the best in the show pen. Practicing long hours, extra time in the gym, as well as mental preparation can play a huge role in getting yourself prepared for the big events. With the AQHYA World Show quickly approaching, the top competitors are working harder than ever so they can be confident when they enter the Jim Norick arena. As these long hours of practicing and “boot camps” come to an end, GoHorseShow sat down with today’s top youth exhibitors to find out what they really do to prepare mentally and physically for the AQHYA World Show. Let’s find out what they had to say!
Livvie Van Lanen (pictured left) – In order to be at my best for the Youth World this summer, extensive physical and mental training is necessary. I am working out everyday and pushing myself so I hit my physical peak by Youth World. I have been at “boot camp” at Highpoint since mid June working to become the best team Stevie and I can be. Mentally, you must only worry about yourself and your horse. You cannot worry about your competition because that will only mess with your confidence. As long as you put out your best rides in the arena, you’re a winner!
Klay McDowall – In the weeks leading up to the youth world, I like to imagine all of the details in my patterns being executed exactly as planned and everything going great. Even before I get my patterns, I like to think about all of the little things that I need to make sure I remember when I am in the arena. Once we get to the world show, I just try to stay focused and practice those details as much as I can until I am confident in my horses and my own ability to execute the patterns. Physically, in the months before the world show, I practice with my horse a lot. Starting in June, I ride almost every day in an effort to keep my horse and myself in shape and practice all of the intricate maneuvers that we will be asked to do at the world show. But I think the most important thing is to not get too intense, nervous, or even excited about the world show, treat it as if it were just another horse show and know that no matter what happens you will do everything you can to come out successful.
Virginia Owen – Preparing for youth world should be no different than preparing for every other show during the year, but, as competitors, we put so much pressure on ourselves during the larger shows. It is very easy to get too caught up in the mindset of how you are going to place and what you are going to do if you have a bad ride. Youth competitors have to practice with their horses and build confidence in order to show their best. I remind myself before I enter the show pen to relax, have a great time, and ride every stride. Physically, I make sure I am able to ride in 100 degree weather without passing out, which means being physically fit, eating healthy, and drinking plenty of water. I am committed to eating smaller meals and drinking larger amounts of water or Gatorade to help keep my body hydrated during the summer months.
Carli Pitts – I try to keep the same program that I have had all along. I’m lucky enough to be able to ride all day throughout the year. As for my horse, we’re keeping her in top shape so she will be able to handle the heat and stress by keeping her workload consistent and not putting extra pressure on her. Overall, I really think keeping my mental focus is the most important thing. I know my horse will trust me if I’m confident going down the chute of the Jim Norick.
Jenna Jacobs – Physically, I always go to “bootcamp” at Piper’s a few weeks prior to youth world. My trainer puts me on a bunch of horses and really pushes Doodle and me to be better than our best. Mentally, I just focus on myself. I don’t worry about other horses because they really don’t matter. I just focus on beating myself. I ride like I’m the only one in the show pen and I really go by the saying “practice like you’ve never won, show like you’ve never lost.”
Bailey Anderson – To physically prepare for the youth world, I ride my horse, Teddy, every day over the summer. Most rides involve a lot of work without stirrups to build strength. I also like to fluctuate between English and western. In addition, I have been practicing showmanship every day. Most mornings, I wake up at 6:00 and go to the gym to work out and then go ride from there. To mentally prepare for the youth world, I just go into it knowing that I have prepared the best that I can and try not to think that this is my last youth world and my last show with Teddy. I think it helps that Terry Cross, my trainer, and I have very calm attitudes towards the show. We don’t just start preparing for the show over the summer, we start as soon as the previous Youth World has ended. Terry doesn’t throw any last minute things my way because he knows I am prepared.
Rachael Tearney – Before youth world, I jump two to three horses a day since my hunter lives extremely close. I also go to Indianapolis to ride for four to five days to ride my all around horse with Melissa Jones, and also frequently ride without irons. I also try to do quick intense cardio workouts that are 20 to 30 minutes to get my endurance up for rail work and patterns. As for show days, I like to watch a few patterns and stay off my phone so I don’t have any distractions from social media, etc.
Deanna Green – Every year before the youth world, I come to the Athens Summer Jubilee and make sure my horses are prepared to show all classes at a high level of intensity before we haul to Oklahoma City. Schooling before the youth world gives me confidence in our readiness and strengthens the partnership with my horses. Also, I have been making several trips to Dairy Queen just because it’s necessary.
Taylor Searles – I think that it is extremely important to be both physically and mentally prepared for the youth world since you are competing against the best riders. When it comes to physical preparation, I don’t have the usual “youth world boot camp” because I am lucky enough to be able to ride a bunch of different horses every day. I feel that by riding different horses, it allows me to better myself as a rider without over schooling my horse. The mental side of youth world is just as important if not more than the physical side. Even though my parents tell me that it is just another horse show, I can find myself getting nervous while I wait to enter the arena. In order to calm my nerves and relax my horse, I tend to hum. Even though I have no musical talent, it keeps my mind off of being nervous so that I can focus on the class.
Natalia DeVencenty – When preparing for the youth world, I try not to lose sight of how blessed I am to be given the opportunity to show such a wonderful and talented horse. I prepare myself physically by spending a lot of time in the saddle riding and showing my all around and hunter jumper as much as I can. I think riding in both disciplines gives me a good balance of leg strength and upper body strength. I prepare for the mental part by staying focused, positive and visualizing several times the way I want my pattern to go. If your lucky enough to step into that arena… seize the moment and make it yours.
Kyle Dougherty – As I prepare for my final youth world, I will use my experiences from years past to help my mentally and physically prepare. I have set aside two straight weeks leading into youth world to fine tune my skill set and take advantage of the opportunity ahead. While at my trainers, Ryan Cottingim and Mandi Gately, I will review videos of past shows and continue to master my fundamentals. It is important to be able to head into youth world with a very confident and prepared outlook. I am excited and appreciative to have such a great support team and horse to compete with at my final youth world.
Kaylee Mellott – To prepare for the youth world physically I ride Eli at least twice a day. While I am practicing horsemanship, I like to challenge myself by riding with no stirrups. I like to do every maneuver that I can think of that would be in a horsemanship pattern without my stirrups. That way I’m not only strengthening my legs and torso the whole time, but also perfecting my body position to look it’s best in the show pen. To mentally prepare myself for the youth world, I stay focused on how Eli and I are progressing as a team. I try to make each day better than the one before it and continue to strengthen our skills together. Preparing for the youth world isn’t easy, but it’s definitely all worth it in the end.
Austin Gemar – To prepare for worlds, I often get some help from a trainer. When I am at the trainer’s place, I work on all the elements of reining. To mentally prepare for the world show, I ride a lot so I know what will happen with my horse and won’t be worried about something going wrong.
Is there anything in particular you are doing to prepare for the AQHYA World Show? Let us know on our Facebook page or in the comments section of this article.
