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Top Tips for the Show Season
What preparation goes in to producing a top showing steed? We caught up with Net-Tex sponsored rider Lynn Russell to find out how she goes about preparing for the shows.
- Preparation is key to success in any field and showing is no exception. Months of planning the horses show calendar around a careful training programme that involves plenty of variety and of course all the clipping, trimming and grooming that results in a horse that will not only turn heads when he enters the ring, but also give the judge a stunning ride to match.
- My show horses have to be fit to compete, so I make sure that I include hacking and schooling in-between show dates, including doing a bit of jumping and pole work, if this keeps them happy interested in their work. Remember what ever level you compete at, always do your home work and school your horse so it goes well in the ring and is used to going round with others – the horses that you see at HOYS don’t just go beautifully by chance –so make the effort to train your horse well
- I always ensure that my horses are ridden by lots of different riders, before I put them in a showing class, as this will help your horse go better for the judge. Judges come in all shapes and sizes, so make sure that your horse is used to different weights and genders on him before you enter him into any showing class. I also like to ride the horses at indoor shows as the atmosphere is always so different for the horses indoors and whilst some seem to settle really easily –others don’t take to it quickly and you need to find out which ones those are!
- I make sure that my saddle is big enough to accommodate a bigger person! Your irons are large enough and your reins are not too narrow, especially if you are showing under a male judge!
- Always make sure that you and your horse are wearing correct attire for the classes you are competing in. I make sure that my show wear and the horses tack is cleaned and sparkling before we set off for HOYS and the same goes for any shows we go to.
- I always read the rules of the society I am competing under and check the rules and regulations of the show every year, just in case anything has changed –the last thing I want is to turn up at a big show and find out that we don’t meet the criteria or don’t have the right gear! I also make sure that all my entries are sent off in plenty of time, to ensure that they arrive before the cut off date.
- Always give your self plenty of time travel to the show I always allow an extra hour in the morning that's a penalty of living off the M25! Stabling over night might be an option if you are travelling further afield and with HOYS we always stable over to help settle the horses in. Competing away from home at smaller shows is a good preparation to gauge how well your horse settles down in a change of environment. I make sure that if I am travelling and staying away from home that I have plenty of feed and hay packed as well as double checking that the lorry is loaded with everything that I need –as often its not a case of simply popping back home when you are 5 hours drive away!
- In the build up to HOYS, the horses still get turned out in the field, as it allows them to have relaxation time and saves on more mucking out, but make sure that your horse is suitably dressed if you are leaving him in the field – I use hoods and rugs to help keep the mud and grass stains at bay!
- When I arrive at the show, we always settle the horses in first before getting ourselves bedded down for the night –we try to stick around the same kind of routine that we have at home in terms of feeding, if our schedule will allow and make sure that the horses are totally settled before leaving them munching away on their hay!
- Finally always check out your society's website to find out who has already qualified as you would be really sick if you missed out on an opportunity to compete at this world famous event or any other big show that you might have qualified for!!
Don't overdo schooling but do ensure your horse is an obedient, comfortable and responsive ride for the judge.
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