The AQHA Novice East and West Championships are coming up in a few weeks, and I wanted to give the competitors a few reminders and tips to make the show a fun and valuable learning experience. From my travels judging all over the world and reporting for GoHorseShow, these are the top five tips that I have gathered from both endeavors. I have also heard this advice repeated over and over again by trainers and fellow judges. Find out what you need to know before you show!
1) Most Classes Are Not Timed Events–Novices tend to get nervous and rush their patterns. You need to relax and try to do everything at a reasonable pace. When you show, try and be correct and make it as simple as possible. If you slow down the mental aspect of showing and keep calm, when you get into the pen, you will have the ability to rise to the occasion. Concentrate on the basics.
2) Don’t Be Late–Make sure you have a support member that can help you prepare and get to the show arena at the right time–hopefully that will be your trainer or a family member. You need to get there not too early but also not too late. You need to have the timing right in order to have your horse primed to have the best performance. Be ready early and relax–don’t be rushed. When exhibitors come up late–they are nervous and it throws them off their game plan.
3) Have a Game Plan–Mental edge is very important. You need to have a game plan and stick to it throughout the entire show. Concentrate on yourself and don’t worry what other riders are doing. Make sure you know your pattern and have it with you at all times. Download the pattern before the show–make sure you study it and know it backwards and forwards. Do your homework, read the rulebook and the rules on your particular class before you arrive. Be prepared before the show and everything will fall into place.
4) Be Confident–Confidence! No matter whether you have the best horse or not, own what you have and show it to the fullest. Confidence sells. Be organized and prepared, and, when it is showtime, present yourself and your horse with conviction. Be poised and precise while maintaining a pleasant and natural picture. Impress the judge that you are competent and enjoy your job. Determination, practice and tenacity prevail. You qualified for the Novice Championships so you should know that you deserve to be here.
5) Have Fun–Do not base your success on the ribbon you won. Base your success on what you have learned and how you improve. If you determine the quality of your time only by your placings, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Measure your success on confidence built, relationships nurtured, lessons learned, wisdom attained and added appreciation of your horse. As these things grow, so will your prizes.
About the Author: Laura Kathryn Gilmer is the Senior Writer and Editor for GoHorseShow.com and holds several judging cards including AQHA, APHA, NRHA, and NSBA.
