First Show.....eeeeek!

[Luv 2 Trot]

Well, the new year is closely creeping up on us, which means show season is too! :eek:
I have just mailed in my first entry form for a Dressage schooling show at a nearby farm. I am taking the youngster, Nuggie, and i think it is his first show. In fact, im sure its his first show undersaddle since he was started about a year ago. Anyway, im very nervous already.:o Its not the ride im worried about, its the "down time" while he is at the trailer. He sometimes likes to untie the rope, and he has this whole deal with bridling again. He raises up really high and i can hardly get it on! :mad: I just want him to stay tied to the trailer, not run away, not run away with me or spaz out.

Has anyone taking a young horse to their first one-day show and survived? I just need a little reassurance and some tips to keep myself calm and him at ease.

[dixieniki]

:D first of all smile! ** blessed to have the oppurtunity to do it!

if i was you i would leave his bridle on. put it on at home take your reins off and travel him like that,saves you messin about there.

once there let him out,look around and just stand and take everything in, if he is really "high" then just give him a quiet "loose" lunge in just his bridle so he can look around n settle. once quite keep reasurring him then tie him with a net, but keep his bridle on underneah headcoller,one for extra control, for ** ease and also horses tend not to pull back with bridles on as they think they are attached by mouth. In my experience this tends to work.

Try to keep it as fun as poss for you both and stress free, just do a really nice easy class first time that ** over qualified for! like handy pony, or jump 1ft clear round when you normally doo 3ft! just to keep pressure off.

Best of luck and keep us posted.lolxxxxx

[dixieniki]

sorry! ignore my comments bout show,didnt read properly..you doin dressage!lolxxx:confused:

[Luv 2 Trot]

LOL, Thanks dixieniki. Yeah, we are doing Dressage, just a simple walk/trot test since we arent ready for canter showing yet, we still need the transitions and fowardness. I kinda thought about the bridling before we leave, but i would have to talk to RI about that, hes very picky. LOL. Thanks for the advice, i will keep it in mind. BTW, he does jump, but its never a jump. He jumps sun beams and poles. Poor pony of mine, and hes only 3yo, who knows what he will be doing at 6....

[dixieniki]

i took 2 youngsters couple weeks ago to their first dressage with the intention of just trottin round the boards, as i had no intention to do anythin else apart from showin them the demonds in white there was no pressure, i just rode them according to how they felt..one came 2nd and one 5th. just goes to show if you keep the pressure off yourselves you never know what could happen;)

make sure you smile esp at the judge!lol:D xxxxxxx

[xlil_mushroomx]

umm well i took oscar out for his first every dressage and his third ever outing. i you are worried about getting his tack on why not have him taked up before you go??
what about taking some herbal remedies for nerves to keep yourself calm. just take lots of deep breaths and when he [rats around just sit back quietly and remember that he is only a baby and dont get cross with him. he is bound to have a look around and maybe be a but exctied. Try and work him hard the day before and if you get a chance lunge him before you leave the yard on the day as that will tire him out and take the edge off him
hope this helps
xx