Showing horses is an addictive habit. Once the horse show bug bites, the urge for the thrill of competition, the amazing ability of special animals, and the close friendships never fully disappears. Despite the addictive nature of showing, many successful competitors leave the show ring temporarily due to life obligations (job, family, or maybe simply a rest), but the call of the horse show and the drive of competition bring many back.
After winning an AQHA Amateur Trail World Championship with The Radical Doctor in 2005 and a fourth place AQHA World Show finish in 2006, I took an eight year break. Recently, I purchased a new horse and have re-entered the show ring. Like me, the horse show addiction has recently drawn three highly competitive amateurs, including Cheryl Mullikin, Janet Fraser, and Andrea Kengis-Foss back into the show ring. Together, we have some simple, but important, advice to offer those considering a return to the show scene.
Take it Slowly
This is difficult since we remember the way showing used to be when we were younger and sometimes we may even idealize it a bit. Cheryl Mullikin (pictured right) began showing western pleasure again in 2006 after being out of the show ring for 25 years. Since then, she has won classes at Congress, NSBA World, Reichert, and Southern Belle as well as a reserve at Tom Powers. In 2006 when she first re-entered the show pen, Cheryl only competed at a few shows and then has steadily increased her commitment since then. Slowly easing yourself and your family into the show scene will help avoid the culture shock.
Currently in her third year of showing AQHA, Janet Fraser showed local open shows as a youth. After her youngest daughter started kindergarten, Janet decided she would return to what she loved following a 15-year break. Similar to Cheryl and myself, Janet also re-entered gradually by only showing pleasure her first year back in the show ring. In her second year, she added horsemanship and trail.
Following a 17-year break, Andrea Kengis-Foss returned to the show pen in 2014. As a youth, Andrea placed in the top five multiple times at the Congress and Youth World. Andrea also recommends coming “back at a realistic pace for you and your horse. Life is different than it was when you were a youth. You may have kids or a job to juggle at the same time as showing.”
Like Andrea, I have also struggled with the balance between family, a full-time job, and showing. Be realistic in the expectations to avoid becoming frustrated and overwhelmed.
Watch Before You Show
Instead of jumping right back in, going to watch some shows to get an idea of the competition level is greatly beneficial. In my situation, a new horse needed to be purchased, which meant research to see the latest expectations in the show ring. If you’ve been out of the show scene for a while, styles have probably changed not just with the quality of the horses, but also tack and clothing. Andrea (pictured left) feels that the “competition is much steeper. Better riders, better horses, and much higher expectations are placed on both rider and horse.”
Janet shares similar thoughts when she says, “Be ready to compete. This is a tough group of competitors.”
Additionally, Cheryl emphasizes the current competition level in saying, “The competition level is much greater now and the breeding of the horses is very good.”
With the tougher competition, watching shows can help you mentally prepare for re-entering the show ring. Be careful, though, and don’t let the competition level intimidate you. Watch to learn!
Try Something New
When coming back into the show ring, no one says you have to do the same events again. Step outside that comfort zone and try new classes. Andrea says her favorite class has always been the western pleasure, but she has recently added hunter under saddle, horsemanship, and western riding to her repertoire. Foss’ son AJ (pictured right) also recently made his debut in the Leadline Class. It is always exciting to see past exhibitors get back involved with their children.
Foss’ last show prior to a break was the 1997 Quarter Horse Congress where she was fourth in the 15-18 pleasure aboard Little Bit of Assets. Ironically, when she returned to the show pen 17 years later at the 2014 Congress, she was fourth again but this time in the Three-Year Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle on The Kids Got Moxie. Last year, she also won the Novice Amateur Hunter Under Saddle at the Congress on the same horse.
Cheryl also approached showing differently when she entered a new branch of competition. Originally, she did not show AQHA, so when she returned to the show ring, she admits, “the classes were different from what I remembered, and I had to relearn the buttons on the horses!”
Janet shares a similar experience since she showed hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation, and over fences as a youth in local open shows. When she returned to the show pen three years ago, she decided to try the western all-around events. “I would have to say that trail is probably my favorite class. I love the challenge that it presents for both horse and rider together,” Janet says.
Don’t be afraid to try something new to make showing more interesting and challenging (in a good way). However, be reasonable in expectations. Trying something new will be a challenge but also beneficial in that you are less likely to compare your performances and placings with previous accomplishments.
Use Technology
Through social media and technology in general, communication has greatly improved in the horse show industry. Andrea and I (Becky Wood pictured left) both enjoy getting patterns in advance for extra practice. At the same time, this is also contributing to the stiffer competition level, as all competitors have this same opportunity. Doing your homework is an absolute must in the modern show scene.
Andrea feels that “one of the neatest things from last year was the app for the Congress that we could use on our iPhones.” Even if you are a little reluctant with technology, give it a chance.
Familiarize Yourself With Rule Changes
Recent rule changes have greatly impacted showing at the AQHA level. With the introduction of leveling, competitors who have taken time away from the show scene can participate at a comfortable level. Janet prefers to compete as an amateur because “it drives me to be the best that I can be.”
Pushing yourself is a good thing, but don’t be too proud to take it easy at first until you get comfortable in the show pen again. Andrea had a similar experience as she was able to re-enter competition at the novice level.
“You need to work hard, but at the same time don’t be too hard on yourself,” Foss states. “I came back to showing and had to relearn a lot of things, and I make mistakes, but so does everyone and if this was an easy hobby, I don’t think we would do it.”
The new leveling program offers opportunities for competitors to stay inside their comfort zone while also pushing themselves. To find your level for the current show year, we recommend calling AQHA or visiting the AQHA Leveling website.
Horse showing truly is an addictive habit. After all, who could resist the beauty and amazing athletic ability of an animal, the adrenaline rush of competition, and the power of wonderful friends? No wonder this hobby is so difficult to resist. Good luck!
About the Author–Becky Wood showed in her first open horse show at the age of 6. She continued showing in open and 4-H horse shows until she began showing AQHA shows at 15. Since then, she has earned numerous top ten finishes at the AQHA World Show in Amateur and Senior Trail, including an Amateur Trail World Championship in 2005 aboard The Radical Doctor. More recently, she works full-time as an English teacher at Knob Noster High School in Missouri, where she teaches dual credit composition courses. Additionally, she is married to Brian, and they have a four-year-old son, Austin. She recently purchased Im The Best Cowboy, whom she began showing last fall.
