Recently, I exhibited in
13/under events at the 2010 American Paint Horse Youth World Championship Show
in Fort Worth, Texas. The lights, huge indoor arena, and the excitement can
really get your nerves going. I know I’m not the only one who gets nervous
so I thought I would talk to a couple of other exhibitors to find out how they
kept their nerves under control?
The first person I
interviewed was Shay Voorhees from Galt, California. She owns a beautiful chestnut paint horse named
Zippos Noble Reason. This year she won reserve World Champion in novice youth
western riding. She also shows in the 14-18 all-around events. I asked Shay about nerves and how she handles them. “I think about my pattern and
what I should do to prepare to show. I pretend that this is just another
practice session,” she said.
The next person I talked to was
Bailey Cook from El Dorado, California. She rides Gallent Titan in the novice
and 13 and under all-around events. “I think about what I’m supposed
to do and concentrate on each maneuver of my pattern. Right before I go into
the show ring I take a big breath.”
With the American Quarter Horse Youth World Championship show about to begin in Oklahoma City, I thought
it would be a good idea to talk to a few youth exhibitors who are showing there
and find out just what they will do to control their nerves.
Kaylee Marie Mellott from Andover,
Kansas, may only be 13 years old but this will be her third year showing at the Youth World show. She and her horse, Dam Im Hot are nationally qualified in
showmanship, horsemanship and trail. Kaylee says,” I usually handle my nerves
by listening to upbeat music and getting really hyper with my friends. Once I
start showing the nerves go away because I’m too focused.”
Most people are well aware of
a multiple AQHA World Show Champion named A Certain Vino. I thought it would be
interesting to find out how his owner, Darcy Reeve handles showing a horse with
such a winning reputation. “Every time I step into the show pen it is preparing
me for the major shows such as the world show,” Darcy explained. “For me
showing is repetition and every time I show it becomes easier for me to handle
the pressure when it is time to lay it all on the line”
I also caught up with Stephanie
Willsey from Canada as she was practicing the week before the world show in
Pilot Point, Texas. “Honestly, the World Show and
the Congress are the only places where I have trouble handling my nerves!
There’s so much energy, excitement, and emotion, you can’t help feeling a lot
of pressure. My coach, Jason Martin, always tells me to make a check list in my
head of the really important things to remember, and I have to run through that
check list at every corner of the arena and at certain sections of my pattern.
This really helps to keep me thinking about myself and my horse, Billy, so I’m
focused on us rather than the judges or the people watching. It also helps me
to remember how much time I’ve spent preparing. As I enter the ring I have to
remind myself to enjoy it!”
Nerves are hard to handle and
especially at a huge show like the World Show. I hope these competitors have
helped you find a solution to handling your own nerves in the show pen. My
personal advice is to ride each step and never stop thinking when you’re
showing. You will improve your chances of becoming a world champion!
Let GoHorseShow.com know how you handle your nerves by commenting at the bottom of this story!
Thirteen year old Cassidy Champlin shows on the APHA and AQHA circuits under the guidance of Jason Martin and Charlie Cole of Highpoint Performance Horses. The Gardnerville, Nevada native recently won two APHA World Championships
in Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle with Art Show and Solid Paint Bred Hunt Seat Equitation with Grateful Debt.
