Stepping into the horse show world for the first time can feel exhilarating, intimidating, and downright confusing. Between learning patterns, studying rules, managing nerves, and resisting the urge to compare yourself to everyone else in the warm-up pen, it’s difficult to know where to begin.
We asked respected judges, trainers, and successful non-pros what novice riders should learn before anything else. Their answers reveal a roadmap grounded in patience, fundamentals, horsemanship, and confidence, rather than fashion trends or quick fixes.
The First Lesson: Don’t Get Discouraged
The message from judges was unanimous: before you ever worry about leads or patterns, you must develop the right mindset. AQHA judge Daren Wright says the early stages of showing are as much about resilience as skill.
“Showing horses is more than showing up,” he explains. “You’re learning your horse, preparing yourself mentally and physically, figuring out how to run patterns in your head. There will be good days and bad days. A positive attitude is the key to success.”
Fellow judge Brad Jewett echoes that sentiment, urging riders to simplify and focus on correctness. “Keep it simple and be correct. Correct wins a lot. Don’t get discouraged and don’t be afraid to ask for help.” Both emphasize that confidence is built through effort, not ribbons.
Become a Student of the Sport
One of the best investments beginners can make is to watch. Trainer Christa Baldwin encourages novices to study amateur and youth classes as much as possible.“Visualizing is the best form of improving,” she says, adding that reviewing videos of yourself alongside successful riders can fast-track progress.
Many amateurs who transitioned into breed shows agree. “When I started going to AQHA shows, I learned so much just by watching,” says exhibitor Reaghan Griffin. “The warm-ups, the top riders, the flow of the show…it all made more sense once I sat back and observed.” Before you ever step into the arena, spend time observing how the sport works.
Build a Foundation: Legs, Leads, and Balance
Before tackling anything advanced, trainers stress the importance of mastering the basics, especially feel and body control. Trainer Missy Thyfault wishes more beginners understood the purpose and power of their legs early on. “It comes with time; leg strength, trust, and learning what your legs actually mean to your horse.”
Trainer Jimmy Daurio adds that many riders jump into classes without a firm grasp of simple fundamentals. “I’ve helped people who’ve ridden for years but can’t tell a correct lead. That’s fundamental.”
Multiple Congress and World Champion rider and trainer Leonard Berryhill encourages riders to spend time simply being on a horse; riding bareback, playing games, and learning natural balance. “Play cowboys and Indians,” he says with a smile. “It teaches you to sit on a horse and understand them.” These early experiences create riders who feel rather than force.
Safety and Ground Manners Come First
While many new riders focus on what happens in the show pen, trainers say the first lessons should actually begin on the ground. Trainer Melissa Shetler often sees beginners who can lope a circle, but lack basic handling skills. “Something as simple as tying correctly is a skill many weren’t taught early,” she explains. “Proper chain placement while longing, or knowing when not to use a chain at all, is critical.”
Oregon Trainer Chelsea Carlson stresses the importance of reading a horse’s body language – an ability that can prevent countless accidents. “Being mindful on the ground, how a horse thinks, how they warn you, is an underrated skill.”
West Coast Trainer Kellie Hinely adds that caring for a horse’s physical well-being must always come before showing. “If they’re ill or sore, they need care before showing is even considered. Horses change daily. You adjust to them, not the other way around.”
Confidence Starts with the Right Horse and Teaching Style
Every trainer we spoke to agreed: confidence is the common thread that shapes a novice rider’s experience. AQHA Horsewoman of the Year Carla Wennberg says that beginners require patience and consistent reinforcement.
“It takes weeks of creative, basic teaching before they feel confident,” she says. “Never assume they know something.” A significant part of building confidence comes from having the right equine partner. “You want a seasoned, safe horse that’s sensitive enough to respond, but not naughty or green,” Wennberg explains.
Have a Simple, Trustworthy Plan
Before riding through the in-gate, novices should learn how to make a clear, simple plan for their patterns. Amateur Cheyenne Augsburger says that clarity, not perfection, is what helps most riders overcome show-pen pressure. “Show your horse the way you know how. Don’t let the pressure change your ride.”
Amateur Katie Grossnickle breaks patterns into manageable sections. “I map out where I’ll be, what sign I’m stopping at, where I’ll change gaits. I practice the pattern in pieces, then put it together. If something goes wrong, I already know how to fix it.”
Non-Pro Exhibitor Morgan Miller adds that having a flexible mindset is just as important. “My trainers help me prep a few options depending on how things go. If a mistake happens, we use it as a learning moment instead of letting it derail the whole ride.”
Develop Good Habits Long Before the Show
Top exhibitors emphasize that progress in the show pen reflects the work done at home. AQHA Congress Champion Johnna Letchworth Clark believes that time in the saddle is irreplaceable. “You need to know your horse better than anyone; its strengths, its limitations. Don’t go faster than your angel’s wings can fly.”
Trainer Kelly McDowall adds that correct practice is essential but difficult without expert guidance. Amateur Carey Nowacek notes that consistency, not perfection, is what separates riders who advance from those who plateau. “You have to trust the process. Good riders push through the bad rides to see the progress.”
Be Realistic, Especially at the Big Shows
The dream of showing at the AQHA Congress or APHA World is strong for many beginners, but professionals caution that novices must understand what those environments demand. Some trainers even recommend attending as a spectator first to get a feel for the intensity.
Professional Horseman Troy Compton explains, “The Congress is a different atmosphere. It can ruin a person’s confidence if they aren’t ready. If you insist on going, you must treat it as a learning experience and have realistic expectations.”
Final Thoughts
Before anything else, before expensive tack, elaborate rail outfits, or memorizing a long pattern, novice riders must learn the fundamentals: correct basics, safe handling, confidence, horsemanship, and patience.
Every professional we spoke to expressed the same idea in their own words: good riders aren’t born; they are built over time through consistency, curiosity, and compassion for themselves and their horses.
Whether you’re preparing for your first local show or dreaming of Congress someday, take a breath, study the sport, learn your horse, and give yourself grace. Every accomplished exhibitor once stood exactly where you stand now.
