First show comming soon...any advise??

[horse_lover0095]

I got my first horse in September and we have been working very hard all winter to get ready for shows, and our first show is in a few weeks! We were doing really well until yesterday when we were cantering, and my horse decided to stop, and I flipped over her head... :mad: I have never shown before, and my horse has not either and I am very nervous and unsure of how she is going to be when we first get there. If you have any advise please help me! Thanks!

[Showjumper]

Are there any shows sooner that you can take her to for a walk about so that she gets used to the noise and bustle?

[dancing-horse]

Is it a big show your doing, because if it is, I wouldn't do a big show for your first show. It can make you both nervous. What classes are you signing up for? Walk/trot or walk/trot/canter? If your signing up for walk/trot/canter and you don't feel confident about your cantering at the time, I'd scratch the class. Like SHOWJUMPER said, try taking your horse to a show just to walk around and get used to the hustle and bustle. Maybe you can take her to show in a halter class before you do your show in a few weeks.

[Loopslou]

as Showjumper suggested before, take her to small shows to have a walk around in and let her get used to the atmosphere, most local shows allow this. It gives you something less to worry about. Also, practice loading your pony into the horsebox too, no point getting to the day of the show and not being able to load. The week before the show just go over what you are going to do once and hack out the rest of the week, it lets your pony relax and clear its head and will be keener to perform as it hasn't been jumping/dressage all week!

Good luck, relax and enjoy ;)

[Kanuma]

right be calm, turn up, enjoy your self,
and feel free to ask any questions on here before you go!!

[horse_lover0095]

Thankyou! The show we are going to is a small local show. I am not worried about her trailering at all because last time she did it, she was an expert and the horse that was in there with her was rearing, and bucking and hurt himself, but it didn't seem to bother her. I don't think I can bring her to another show because we are only going to one show before then and all of the spaces in the trailer are taken. I am planning on just doing walk/trot, showmanship, and english type halter. If you have any more advise, it is greatly welcomed!