A first show is exciting and a little nerve-racking, and most of the worry comes from the unknown. A bit of planning the week before will let you enjoy the day and keep the horse settled.
Enter early and read the schedule
Choose a class that suits the horse's experience and yours. Enter early so you know your times and can plan the day, and read the schedule properly rather than skimming it. Check the dress code, the tack rules and whether you need to bring your own number. Write the times on your phone and on a piece of paper, because signal at a showground can be patchy.
Confirm the venue, the parking and the start time. A practice run to the showground beforehand can take the guesswork out of an early start, and it gives the horse a quiet look at the place before the crowds arrive.
Practise the day at home
Ride in the kit you plan to wear and practise the test or the class routine. A horse that has seen the hat, the boots and the louder atmosphere at home will be calmer on the day. Keep the sessions short and finish on a good note.
Clean the tack the week before rather than the night before, and check every strap and fastening. A quiet, unhurried preparation is worth more than a last-minute scramble. If something needs replacing, there is still time to sort it. If you can, take the horse to a friend's yard or a quiet showground for a practice outing. Loading, travelling and standing in a strange place are all part of the day, and a horse that has done them once will find the real thing less alarming.
Pack the night before
Lay out your clothes, hat, boots and gloves, and pack the horse's kit in the same order you will use it. Take spare hair ties, a cloth for the boots and something to eat and drink. A written list stops the small things being forgotten in the dark. Put the essentials in one bag you can carry easily: hat, gloves, hair ties, a cloth and a drink. Keep the horse's feed and hay separate so nothing is lost in the rush.
On the day, arrive with time to walk the horse, find your ring and settle in. A short warm-up is better than a long one, and a calm horse will show itself better than a tired one. Keep the day simple and let the first show be a good experience rather than a perfect one.
- Enter early and note your class times.
- Read the schedule and dress code carefully.
- Check the route and parking before the day.
- Practise in your show kit at home.
- Clean and check the tack in advance.
- Pack clothes, hat, boots and horse kit.
- Arrive with time to walk and warm up.
If something does not fit or you are unsure what a class expects, ask us before the day. Our saddlers can help by phone, by email or from photos, and the show ready collection has the pieces that come up again and again. Every horse is different, so ask your vet about any health or condition question.
