Lights, Camera, Action! The hard work and dedication throughout the year have finally resulted in this moment…competing at the 2015 AQHA World Championship show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. With AQHA’s inclusion of Level 2 competition at the 2015 World Show, more first-time exhibitors than ever will be making their debut. But how can you be at your best through all of the distractions and pressure? Accomplished AQHA judges, professional trainers, and amateur exhibitors offer their valuable opinions and dish on their do’s and don’ts for the AQHA World Show.
Peyton Bivins
- Do take care of yourself. Get sleep when you can! Our bodies need rest, and the World Show requires practice at all hours of the day. Try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Just like we need sleep, our bodies also need the proper fuel to keep us going all week long.
- Do try to meet new people. This is an amazing competition where every rider brings his or her absolute best, so don’t be shy. Introduce yourself and get involved.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. We have plenty of time to achieve our horse-related goals, so putting unneeded pressure on yourself at an already stressful show simply does not help you perform at your best.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. You are at this show for a reason, so do your absolute best. Don’t worry about how others are looking or doing things. Stick with what you know.
- Don’t miss the “Ride the Pattern” sessions where you will receive advice from the industry’s top professionals.
Sarah Elder Chabot
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Do take care of yourself. We often get wrapped up in taking care of the horse, which is important, but remember you are a team. Make sure you get enough to eat and sleep. If you begin to feel sick, take action immediately. Don’t let anything linger into a bigger problem that you have to deal with on show day.
- Do go to the exhibitor parties and events. It is a great opportunity to meet other competitors and see them in a different light than in the arena or in the barn.
- Don’t forget to go through the trade show. The trade show at the World Show is so much quieter than the one at Congress.
- Don’t forget about turning in your bio information. You never know what will happen in the “Gateway of Champions,” and you want to give the announcer plenty of information to brag about you and your horse.
Kaleena Weakly
Do enjoy the experience, and the laid-back atmosphere. It’s completely opposite from the Congress, so enjoy that.
- Do trust in yourself and your horse. Prepare like you have all year, and treat it like any other horse show. Avoid letting the hype and stress play mind games with you. Believe in yourself.
- Do go off the grounds for great eats all over Oklahoma City.
- Don’t over practice or over stress you or your partner. Stick with the schedule and preparation you’ve relied on all year. After all, that is what got you to the World Show in the first place.
- Don’t leave valuables out, EVER! The fairgrounds has a history of thieves.
- Don’t let one day or one bad pattern bring you down or define you. There’s always next year. It’s all about the journey.
Charlie Cole
Do make sure your health papers and Coggins are current. These will be checked before you even unload your horse. Without the proper documents, your horse will not be allowed on the grounds.
- Do check the practice schedule. Practice times are scheduled in the show arena for nearly every event, so make sure you check the schedule and know when your practice time is.
- Do visit the Professional Horseman’s Booth if you have any questions. The booth is located at the back gate of the Jim Norick arena. They can answer just about any questions you might have.
- Don’t forget to make sure you have numbers on BOTH sides of your pad for every class.
- Don’t forget to check work orders frequently. They are posted online and the night before at the show. Due to scratches, these sometimes change, so always check the night before to see your draw or split.
Maria Salazar
Do sleep whenever you get the chance. The middle of the night and early morning rides can catch up to you.
- Don’t forget what YOUR process is with YOUR horse. Stick to the riding methods and techniques that got you to the World Show! Don’t try to reinvent what has worked for you all year.
- Don’t forget to have fun. You’re at the World Show. Enjoy the moment.
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Cathrin Gutmann
Do enjoy every minute of the experience. You’re a world championship contender. You’ve worked hard all year, and now you’re showing with the best of the best.
- Do feel the excitement of making your way down the Gateway of Champions. This is a well-deserved experience.
- Don’t get intimidated by all the big names in your class. Go in there, do the best you can, and enjoy your ride.
- Don’t get frustrated if you don’t make the finals or the top 10 in the first year of competing. It is a show that’s very competitive, and you should set realistic goals that you can work your way towards achieving every year.
Kendra Weis
Do make sure your equipment, clothes, and boots are clean, and shape your hat. First impressions are important at this prestigious show.
- Do make positively sure you have EVERYTHING before leaving home. Make a list and double check it before departing for the show. Arriving at the show and realizing you have forgotten something will distract you from your routine show preparation.
- Do check your draws to make sure you are entered in the proper classes.
- Don’t be late! If you miss your draw, you’re finished. Get to the show well before your class, and allow time for traffic.
Angela Fox
Do practice before you go. Feeling prepared and in tune with your horse before you go is crucial. Spend some time getting to know your patterns both on and off the horse. With all that is going on at the World Show, you don’t want to go off pattern.
- Do arrive at the show with ample time to get you and your horse settled in before show day. Rushing a horse to knock out a World Show level pattern before it’s in the “zone” never ends well.
- Don’t be negative. Things happen and they aren’t always good, but concentrating on them never helps. Re-direct your mindset to focus on what is going well instead.
- Don’t let your nerves get the best of you. It is understandable to be nervous if this is your first World Show, but relax, take a deep breath, and exude confidence. Your horse will feel it and ride better!
Cole Gower
Do realize that even though this may be your first World Show , you belong there, you earned it, and you and your horse are the team that qualified.
- Do get your horse used to all the arenas, and make sure you have enough time to warm up. Knowing your draw is important, and you want to make sure you give yourself enough time to get up and practice before you show.
- Don’t over practice. Know your horse and talk to your trainer about the game plan. Remember to breathe, and don’t let your nerves get the best of you. Avoid overthinking things.
Nicole Barnes
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- Do come with a well-prepared plan. Whatever event you may be preparing for, make sure you know the ins and outs of getting your horse ready. You might have a specific riding schedule or know that your horse needs to snack before showing. Whatever your plan is – stick with it.
Do remember that being able to compete at the World Show is an amazing opportunity and honor. Getting qualified should not be taken lightly and you DO deserve to be there just like everyone else. Be proud of all you’ve accomplished.
- Do remember how lucky and blessed we are to be able to have a World Show experience. Some riders may never have the opportunity.
- Don’t forget to pack extra Vitamin C. Many of us are coming off the Congress and bringing the remnants of the “crud” with us. The weather can be finicky this time of year, too, so don’t forget to pack layers.
- Don’t forget that a smile, hello, thank you, good morning, etc. is always appreciated, whether it’s a fellow exhibitor, vendor, or the ring crew sending you to the start cone. Don’t be afraid to make a new friend!
Ashley Hadlock
Do break the pattern apart and study one maneuver at a time. The patterns can be overwhelming at first glance, so set personal goals for both yourself and your horse. When practicing, take time perfecting each individual maneuver to its highest potential.
- Don’t get caught up in someone else’s success and overlook your own. It’s a huge accomplishment in itself to have qualified, so be proud of yourself and your horse. Each horse and rider are at different levels, so focus on your strengths as a team.
- Don’t forget that even though things may not go according to plan, the best part about the Amateur World is there will always be next year. Unlike youth, you have as many years to show as you wish!
Whitney Vicars
Do keep in mind that God knows what is best. He has brought you to the World Show for a reason. It may be to win this year or it may be to not even get your name called; only He knows. Try to honor Him by doing your part, and trust Him with the rest. Keep everything in perspective, be thankful for the opportunity, and enjoy the ride.
- Do use the night watchman services of Billy Williams. He will check on your horse every hour throughout the night.
- Don’t forget your ORIGINAL horse papers. They are required to get your numbers, and it’s a scary mess if you forget them.
- Don’t miss the coffee and donut cart. It goes around each morning with free coffee and donuts, compliments of AQHA. Sugar and coffee are perfect to get you going on those early mornings.
The AQHA World Show is one of the most exciting shows of the year. Simply being invited to the World Show is an accomplishment in itself, so sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy the moment. Be yourself and do your thing. Good luck to all of the exhibitors at this year’s AQHA World Show.
