06/11/2024
It’s show season. Majority of the horse community is showing, planning to show, wants to show, wishes to show, or misses showing.
Here’s my take on horse showing from both a rider and animal communicator.
First I ask you this…
What is YOUR favorite part of showing? What is the biggest push for YOU to show? What are YOUR goals or plans when it comes to showing/each individual show?
Now I ask you this…
What is your HORSE’S favorite part of showing? What is the biggest push for your HORSE to show? What are your HORSE’S goals or plans when it comes to showing/each individual show?
As a rider/trainer I used to say the phrase “I just want good rounds to continue our education from home in a new setting”. But then ignore signals of my horse or client’s horse being overwhelmed or anxious and just say that “it will get better with more seasons”. But will it? Why can’t we address that this season and this moment? Why does our horse have to be okay and not show any signs of anxiety, being overwhelmed, or doing something they’re not mentally or physically ready for? Why can’t we allow them the time and space to express this? Why must we tell them to shove down what they’re feeling, but then turn around to a young kid or first time adult amateur and tell them everything will be okay and just breathe and all the validating phrases we tell those newer riders?
Riders and trainers are quick to say that they are only there for good experiences for their green horse and that they just want them to do the same at the show as at home. However, when it comes down to it often times get bummed with a placing. Will fluff their placings telling you they got third place, but neglect to say that it was a class of three. Will be annoyed that their horse kicked out, stopped, spooked, or something else while on course because they were having difficulty dealing with the stress of all the show parts. They will expect their horse to stand in the hot sun for hours on end, fully tacked with their rider on their back and expect them to do so quietly without any breaks or “naughty” behavior. But yet the trainer yells at the kids for doing just that when at home.
So how can we look at and approach all of this differently?
I am so thankful to have gotten my younger mare Val when I did. She has helped me learn how to bring to light my wants and desires while keeping her wants and desires at the forefront as well. Keeping me honest and humble. How I show today is loads different than I how showed years ago with my girl Luna.
I get to the show sooner and allow her all the time she needs to take in the sights and feelings around her. When she (mind and body) takes a breath I slowly tack her up. Going out for our first schooling at the show is not much different than any other day at home. We stroll for 5 or more minutes until she again takes a breath both mind and body, and lets me know she’s ready to think about working. Then we slowly move through our trot and canter gaits. Allowing her to stretch, breathe, and relax before “doing the hard work”. Then we spend no more than 10-15 minutes in the hard work with plenty of breaks letting her mind and body rest and focus on what we want. When we’re done we stroll around and hangout for a bit until she says she’s ready to go back and be put away.
Day of the show I do the same routine when riding her. Choosing the quietest times to school the show ring as I can and only getting on when I know our time is near.
When our show day classes are proposed to take 20 minutes each but end up closer to an hour each, what do I do? I get off my horse. I allow her to graze (yes with her show bit, bridle, boots, etc all still on). I loosen the girth and allow her back, belly, and barrel to breathe. I tell her how good she is. Take her to a shady spot. Socialize with other people (horses included!). I take her away from all the commotion if it begins to be too much for her. On really hot or particularly long days I offer her water. I give her body scratches and tell her how awesome she is (she has a particular fondness for this part).
The key here…
I allow her to be a horse as much as possible.
I do as much at the show as I can that I do at home.
I bring as many of her favorite things into play when at shows.
When she has a “green baby” moment, or her nerves get the best of her when in the arena I laugh it off, take a breath, and move on without holding it over her.
I always make time for cuddles, scratches, good girls, moments to quiet our mind and body to connect and just be, and tell her how much I appreciate her. This is a VITAL part to every day of the show.
A consistent theme in things client’s animals like are “the little moments together”. So don’t forget to pack these “little moments” from home into all the show things you’re packing as well. I promise you, your horse will appreciate it more than you realize.