First jumping show Saturday!!

[Nikita88]

I have been jumping for 2 years, i never showed. I was going to do it last summer, but my horse Missy had to get put to sleep :(
i just recently got my new horse nikita who has done tons of shows with her previous owners. My first show is this saturday (July 17). The thing im most worried about is Nikita. she is kind of stubborn cause she is a t'bred mare, she will often refuse jumps if she doesnt look at them before, she kind of a whimp. Do horses usually act better at shows then they do in lessons and just jumping around my arena? my other concern is, Nikita kicks at horses that go behind her unless she knows them. I dont want people to be riding up on me during warm ups, she will kick!! is there anyway to let riders know that your horse kicks?

[Ashleigh]

I think you're supposed to tie a red ribbon in your horse's tail if it kicks. (I think thats right).
I took one of the riding school horses to a show once, she backed up into 5 cars, 3 horses and a person. Oh yeah, and a dog.
About the refusals, horses are often worse at shows (especially if they haven't been to many before), but as your mare has had experience, she might be alright. Jumps at shows are different to the jumps most people use at home.
Good luck anyway!:D

[horse_crazy4eva]

to let other ppl know that your horse kicks braid a red ribon in her tail, make sure its a pretty bright one cuz i know some ppl put the smallest or darkest ribons they can find and are imposible to see untill its to late.
dont worry about her refusing, i know its hard but dont get yourself to worried or stressed about it that may make her worried. I know that most horses I have ridden are alot better at shows, they like being in the spot light lol

[kedwards]

I wouldn't plan on a horse being better at a show than it is at home. Often, whatever problems you have in schooling will only be intensified in a show situation. That said, you can't dwell on it or you'll create a self-fulfilling prophecy (i.e., she refuses because you expect her to). Plan on a strategy for how you will deal with whatever issues may come up, then go out there and ride your plan. For a horse that tends to refuse, it may be smart to focus on keeping up your own confidence so that you will ride her positively and keep her forward.

Good luck!