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Tips for Your First Horse Show |
It can be nerve-wracking to jump into the stock horse show ring. It is not just about showing up and paying your fees. Many people are afraid to show because they don’t know what to expect.
Here are some handy tips:
Equipment
It is better to have a well-made saddle than to have one with cheap, fake silver. Nothing stands out worse than a stamped leather saddle with tin foil looking silver. And those saddles rarely keep your body in position.
There are tons of older model well made saddles that are actual cheaper to buy and work well. Older Dale Chavez and Circle Y (meaning mid 90s and before) are great finds. Also check for trophy saddles that someone may have won and do not need. Your leg covers the writing and you get a phenomenal saddle for a fraction of the price.
The same thing goes for your bridle, check Tack Trader, eBay and other sites for used headstalls. A bridle that cost someone $500 a few years ago can be yours for $100. Many times you can even take them to have new leather put on the silver and you have a thousand dollar headstall for a few hundred dollar.
Show Clothes
Don’t get intimidated by the bling. Hobby Horse is a great option for custom looking clothes at a not so custom price. Again, search the web but don’t let price be your guide – cheap knock off clothes are not your friend. In fact for your first show a nice starched blouse will never go wrong If you are even a tiny bir crafty add a few rhinestones to your collar and you are good to go.
If you are doing halter, add a simple blazer!
Same thing with chaps – if you can find used Hobby Horse chaps GO FOR IT. They are well made and last forever. I always recommend sticking with black as they never go out of style and match everything.
Whatever you do – do not go cheap on a hat. A well-formed hat is essential. That does not mean go out and spend $500, but try to buy as good as you can afford – at least a 10X. Also make sure that you get it shaped and inform them you are planning to show in breed shows.
Grooming
You will want your horse banded. If you want to do it yourself make sure to practice at home a few times. Don’t let your first time be at the show. It is not hard to do but you do need to practice a few times. If you get good you can make serious money at shows banding. I have a friend who funds her Living Quarter trailer payments off one show’s worth of banding.
Clip all white legs and any white on your horse’s face as well as muzzle, chin, throat and ears. I usually clip a week ahead of time in case I make mistakes, which allows the hair to grow out a bit.
Don’t waste your time scrubbing their white legs, instead invest in a can of Shapleys white and spray their white legs to gleam. I don’t use hoof black as it dries out their hooves, instead I use my regular hoof dressing.
Your first show
If you can, I recommend going and watching at your first show. Watch and see how the people who are doing well handle the show. You can then get a better idea of what is going on and this will help you make a plan for your show and help calm your nerves.
Speaking of nerves, you will be nervous which in turn make your horse nervous – I suggest bringing them in for the dry run. I cannot tell you how many relatively normal horses flip out at their first show. This way it is not a big deal if they are nervous and I can promise you that their second time will be better.
In the show pen
In your first class don’t worry about ribbons. Focus on keeping out of trouble and traffic. Remember that in breed shows you DO NOT circle for better space on the rail, nor do you cut across. They are unwritten no-no’s. Instead if you need to get out of traffic adjust your track around the arena more to the inside or outside and use the reverse as a chance to get the needed space.
Finally
Have fun!
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