Many riders find pleasure in taking part in horse shows, regardless of their riding discipline. Participation in these shows enables them to assess the progress of not only their horse, but also their own progress. It also provides an opportunity to compare themselves with other riders and, naturally, experience immense satisfaction upon securing a victory. However, competitions can induce significant stress for both the horse and the rider. Therefore, it is crucial to adequately mentally prepare for the show season to maximize chances of success. Discover the strategies for effectively preparing for a competition with your horse.
How to prepare mentally for horse shows
Set your show goals
Instead of just going to a show, it’s better to set goals! The idea is to determine what you want to achieve in a competition in order to better handle your stress. These goals can be technical, such as measuring your horse’s progress or smoothly completing a course or jump. They can also be competition-related, like outperforming your previous competition or achieving a certain ranking. By keeping these goals in mind, you can focus on the important aspects of the competition. Afterwards, debrief to identify both the positive aspects and areas for improvement, and assess whether you met your objectives. This will help you improve and perform better in future horse shows. Remember that each competition is a step towards a larger goal, which will help you work towards long-term success and reduce stress.
Develop a pre-show routine for you and your horse
To ensure relaxation before a horse show, establish a routine that aids concentration. For instance, go over your dressage or jumping routine (if you have one), visualizing each maneuver or jump. Additionally, create a comprehensive checklist of all the items you will need for the competition. Double-check your equipment, attire, horse transportation, and route. You can also apply a coat of grease to give your horse’s coat a shiny appearance or groom your horse to promote relaxation. Additionally, prioritize getting a restful night’s sleep and setting an alarm clock. Incorporate breathing exercises to achieve relaxation the night before the show or while in the saddle. Stress can cause improper breathing before or during your performance, so it is important to practice relaxation exercises. One effective exercise involves taking deep breaths for 5 seconds, then exhaling for 5 seconds, for a duration of 6 minutes. Repeat this exercise whenever you feel stress building up until the tension dissipates. This whole ritual will enable you to immerse yourself gradually in the competition atmosphere with your horse and maintain a strong focus.
Allow yourself the right to make mistakes
It is natural that everyone wants to perform their best in front of other riders or their audience. However, it is important to remember that making mistakes is normal and that riding is not an exact science. Both you and your horse are human beings, and your horse is not a inanimate object. It is also important to acknowledge that there are factors beyond your control that can affect the outcome of the big day. Therefore, it is necessary to accept the possibility that things might not go as planned, even if your horse is well-prepared for the show. The most crucial aspect to keep in mind is to have fun and gain valuable lessons and experience from each show, enabling you to better prepare for future events.
Prepare Your Horse for Competitions
Once your horse reaches the age of 3, it becomes eligible to begin its journey in the field of sports. However, if you desire to enter your horse in competitions, it is essential to provide specialized training to enhance its skills.
In order to properly cater to a specific riding style, it is essential to equip the horse with a suitable saddle and bridle while considering its specialty.
The competitions will offer you the opportunity to earn money based on your success, as well as enhance the abilities of your horses. However, since their potential is limited, there will eventually be a point where competitions will no longer improve your horse’s skills.
Every competition, regardless of the field, has a specific difficulty level expressed as a percentage range for a particular skill. Each center has the freedom to set their competitions at the level they prefer. Filters can be applied for certain types of competitions to select the distance. It is not permitted to enter more than two horses from your stables in any given competition.
Included on each horse’s profile page is a summary of the horse’s accomplishments and performance in competitions, along with other relevant information.
Classical riding competitions involve a series of steps that require careful thinking.
There are 5 types of Classical Riding competitions specifically for horses that specialize in Classical Riding and are equipped with a Classical bridle and saddle.
- Access to gallop and trot speed races depends on the galloping skill level required for gallop races and the trotting skill level required for trot races. In order to become a champion, the horse must also perform well in speed and dressage.
- Cross-country is a physically demanding discipline that requires great stamina, but also good jumping skills and docility. Access to registration depends on the level of stamina.
- Show-jumping requires exceptional jumping skills, but also lots of flexibility. Because these events are timed, a show-jumping horse will obviously need to be able to jump obstacles quickly. Access to registration depends on the level of jumping.
- The dressage contest features the horse’s gaits: gallop and trot, but most of all its dressage skills. Access to registration depends on the level of dressage.
Competitions in Western Riding
Western Riding competitions are specifically for horses that are specialized in Western Riding and are equipped with a Western bridle and saddle. These competitions can be categorized into five different types.
- Barrel racing , a timed race that requires speed, stamina and galloping skills. The goal is to slalom around 3 barrels as fast as possible without knocking any over. Access to these events is determined by your horse’s speed.
- Cutting , which requires great stamina and speed in order to control calves. It also requires a good level in dressage. Access to these events is determined by your horse’s stamina.
- Reining , a dressage event that’s performed at a gallop. Good stamina is also essential. Access to these events is determined by your horse’s level in galloping.
- Western pleasure , a discipline that requires excellent trotting skills, as well as docility and stamina. Access to these events is determined by your horse’s level in trotting.
- Trail class , the western equivalent of dressage in Classical Riding. Trail class horses must excel in dressage, as well as trotting and jumping. Access to these events is determined by your horse’s dressage level.
If your horse has not placed first in a competition within the past 30 days, it may lose morale points. However, you can restore its morale by allowing it to rest and giving it treats.
In order to enhance the performance of your horses in competitions, you have the option to award them with bonuses. Some bonuses can be obtained while placing your horses in their designated boxes, such as the hoof pick or comb. Additionally, there are bonuses that can be acquired by visiting either the store or the black market. These bonuses directly affect the skills of the horses and significantly influence the final competition results.
New players who are beginning their game will be given a special bonus. It should not come as a surprise if certain horses appear to be performing exceptionally well, as they have been given some assistance to ensure a successful start in the game.
Certain competitions are exclusively available for rookie horses, which are defined as horses with less than 20 victories and no skills exceeding 330. The recalibration of this number occurs on a daily basis.
