Put these useful tips from AQHA Professional Horsewoman Lynn Palm to work at your next show.
Show Smart
1. It is your responsibility as a horse owner and competitor to bring out the best in your horse.
2. Always show in disciplines in which you and your horse are prepared to perform required maneuvers confidently.
3. Familiarize yourself with the show grounds when you get there. Know where the office, vet, farrier, warm-up areas and show rings are located.
4. To get your horse to accept the new show grounds and environment, work in hand with longeing for exercise and leading to acclimate him to the show surroundings.
5. Know the show schedule and listen to the intercom for any changes. You do not want to miss your class or be too early and have to wait!
6. Always know where your trainer/coach is in case you need him or her to assist you.
7. Tests, patterns and courses should be memorized before the warm up so the rider feels confident and prepared.
8. Walk the course for a hunter/jumper class, trail courses or pattern classes to build your show-ring strategy.
9. Make showing a fun and learning experience. Identify what was desirable in a class and what could have been better. The things that you and your horse can improve upon are your homework for the next show.
10. If showing isn’t as successful as you would like, don’t forget to ask yourself: Is your horse suited for you? Does your horse enjoy his “job” and the discipline in which he is competing? These are tough questions to ask yourself, but if you and your horse aren’t a good match, you won’t perform well together in the show ring.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article from The American Quarter Horse Association
