I know show season tends to differ depending on where you are in the world, but normally about springtime, people are starting to come out of their winter shells, horses are shedding fluff, and it’s time to start getting spick and span and mentally prepared to go down the centreline!
To coincide with this and hopefully help you get those all-important marks in the ring, I’m going to have a lot more show-themed content over the next while and be sharing my own journey to the ring. I’m also going to be giving a free Show Season webinar in May to help you earn how to optimize your scores, control your nerves, and prepare for a successful show season!
This video shares a show-week routine that helps me be as prepared as I can on show day.
Here are 5 tips to keep your nerves low and your scores high!
- Memorise your test early. – Practice mental visualisation during the week, think about each movement and imagine how it will feel to ride it correctly.
- Practice your centre lines and halt PAST x! – I find if I’m really drilling halting at X in the week before the show, my horse will anticipate it and want to halt before X on show day. So riding the week before, practice halting after X so if there’s any anticipation, you still hit your mark!
- School your test, but don’t over practice it. – If you just ride your test start to finish repeatedly you’re not going to correct any errors you find. For example, if you ask for a canter transition and your horse delays a few strides, you have to get after them and ensure they’re responding with precision! On the day, you won’t have the opportunity to correct mistakes, so while you can, correct mistakes as they happen. If you don’t correct on the fly, you’re telling the horse that it’s ok to do it wrong!
- Plan a day off! – You don’t want a stale or muscle sore horse. I usually give the day before we leave for the show as a rest day so they arrive fresh and with rested legs.
- Plan your warm up! – It shouldn’t differ too much from your home warm up. But you should have a clear idea in your mind what you want to do in relation to your test.
These are just a few tips to help you get really prepared for your show! Have a look at the video where I explain them in more detail and also give some advice for even if you’re not showing! Let me know in the comments if you find them helpful!
