01/05/2026
"When it comes to working with my students and their horses, I have a set of standards that I will never waver on. Safety is at the top of that list. Sportsmanship. And of course prioritizing proper training with a strong foundation for both horse and rider. After all, It’s my job to set them up for success.
When I take my students to a show, they’re very used to hearing the same speech from me once we unpack the trailer. I remind them that I DO NOT CARE about the ribbons. Not in the slightest. Sure, winning is nice. And to perform your best and be rewarded for that by rising to the top of your competition that day is a great feeling. We all love a blue ribbon photo. But what I want to see is this; my riders ride well under pressure. They recognize their mistakes and correct them. They ride smart and calm. They showcase what we have practiced at home. And they demonstrate good sportsmanship and the ability to maintain a positive attitude despite what happens in the show ring. Whether we come home with tricolors or not, it’s the ability to give your horse (and yourself!) a positive and productive learning experience that counts most.
Unfortunately, what I have found in my career as a trainer who attends local shows, is that success is defined differently by different trainers. Standing ringside during jumper divisions, especially “puddle” type jumpers at intro levels, is often disheartening.
Recently I watched a round from a trainer who’s student lost both stirrups and nearly flew off after zooming around, taking strides out, leaving the ground from impossibly long distances, and taking inside turns that defied gravity, putting the pair in real danger of injury. At the end of the round the young rider was somehow magically still in the saddle and the horse was still standing. Exiting the ring she looked bewildered, and her trainer says “all that matters is you’re the fastest and you don’t fall off until after you pass the finish timer.” To me, this is like a punch in the gut.
Why is it hard for me to watch things like this, and hear instruction like that? Well, because that gritty little rider and her brave young horse are the future of our sport. And she’ll go home with a trunk full of blue ribbons thinking that because she won, she was the best rider in that class. Despite the reality that there were riders in that class who had learned to, and were effectively counting their strides. Making balanced turns. Picking good distances. And strategizing a smart route to the finish line. Skills that will keep them both competitive and safe on bigger tracks as they progress. They were all fast too. And careful. But their horses were in no danger of flipping over. They were able to stay balanced in their tack while giving their horses a stress free experience that will keep them secure (and the spectators heart attack free).
It’s also so important for trainers to practice good, calm ringside etiquette. Of course, we’ve all been there where we’ve gotten enthusiastic in a moment of coaching. However, yelling and screaming while your student is on course, or barking play by play instructions, cheats your rider out of the ability to stay focused in an already high pressure situation. We cannot ride for them. Even when we want to. I often give my rider a few last minute pieces of advice as they walk in for their round. Whether it’s something general like “remember to breathe” or more specific to the rider’s program like “keep your left leg on all the way to the base”. I want them to stay locked in to the task at hand. But once they’re in the ring, my job is largely over. The rest is up to their ability to put into practice what we’ve worked on at home. Sure, if they need me I will absolutely be there to assist. But it’s their time to shine. Being loud and disruptive at the in gate is also unfair to other competitors and their horses, who are trying to stay centered and avoid stress before their rounds. As we know, horses (and often people) are incredibly empathic and adept at reading the energy around them. Anyone bringing a frantic energy to the environment is detracting from the necessity of a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone at the show.
I want to emphasize that these young riders are at zero fault. They trust their trainers and genuinely believe what they’re taught. Kick, pull the inside rein, go as fast as possible, and win at all costs… Even if you fall off past the timers. It is exclusively the trainers responsibility to set these young riders up for success as they learn and develop. When we forgo all education, horse and rider safety, and opportunities to develop good riding habits at the expense of a fifty cent ribbon, we do these kids (and our sport as a whole) a grave disservice.
Ultimately, the win at all costs mentality does in fact come at a heavy cost. So I implore this to trainers, coaches, and parents whose kids are showing in entry level speed classes: what is MOST important to you? Is it being able to say “my kid won!” or “you beat everyone!” or should it be more about the bigger picture. Local circuits are the cornerstone of our sport. Ask any big name competitor where they got their start. I’m sure they had a coach or two along the way who taught them what good riding really was. You have to learn to walk before you can run."
📎 Save & share this article by Ariel Univer at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/01/29/trainer-etiquette-sportsmanship-and-safety-set-the-right-tone-in-low-level-jumpers/
