Tips from our Supported Riders on smooth sailing on Show Day

You’ve practiced your Dressage test so many times you’ve made yourself dizzy with circles, you can see your own reflection in your riding boots after polishing them to within an inch of your life and you’re Equine friend is as spotlessly clean as polished silver…and breathe.

Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or new to the scene, if you’ve competed at any level you know the stress, overthinking and long hours of preparation that go into show day.

Taking your Horse to a show should be such a fun occasion. It’s an opportunity to showcase the product of your hard work and dedication and a great way to bond with your horse and build both the confidence of your horse and yourself. Of course, even the best laid out plans don’t always follow through, but thankfully our Supported Riders have a wealth of experience to share with you on making your show day a success!

Storm Straker, Eventing

“I always feel with the build up to big events there is an enormous amount of pressure. Is the horse going to stay sound? Are you both going to be fit enough? Is the dressage up to standard?

What’s important to remember especially in the last couple of weeks leading up to the event is that nothing will change hugely to make such an influential difference. You can practice your dressage movements over and over so they become more fluent but no one can turn a test into a Valegro over night, nor will the fitness suddenly become the same level as Tiger Roll’s!

What I find is most important for both horse and rider is to keep the same system going and not add sudden pressure in the last couple of weeks. By keeping the horse in the same routine and still allowing it to have chilled days rather than over work it so that it becomes tense and bored. Likewise with riders, in our minds subconscious if you have a sudden increase of exercise and adrenaline you will automatically create a nervous energy, which can be good for cross country but not necessarily for dressage! For all the lead ups to my big events I plan hugely in advance to increase everything gradually so that both myself and my horses are fit yet relaxed when we come to the event.”

Tanya Buckingham, Eventing

“Just on the way back from training with Chris Bartle writing this!

My tip for competition is basically not to compare yourself to the other riders and horses…think of each event as being a competition against your last time out..that way you are always trying to better your own scores and if they are good enough you get placed …then you not coming away disappointed that you didn’t beat certain other people! Also, try and make your training as perfect as possible as you drop about 10% just going to a competition in the atmosphere! Finally have all the equipment you need ready and in a place you can locate it at the event…there’s nothing more stressful than panicking when you can’t find what you need.”

Roxy Shipley, Dressage

“(I could give a million tips on plaiting!) I guess one plaiting tip I would say is wash the mane before plaiting but don’t put mane and tail spray or silky coat on the mane or neck to avoid slippery plaits or reins.

My main tip would be to be prepared, organise the tidiness of your horse so it’s not a mad panic to do before a show. And put baby oil in their tail so it stays soft and shiny!”

Julie Lawson, Eventing

“There is so much preparation when it comes to horses! But cleaning (from tack to clothes to horses) seems to be what we spend most of our time on, especially the dreaded white socks!

My tip is always wash your socks as soon as they get stain, don’t leave them till the day before the competition, then wash the day before and put soft travel boots on overnight. I find these are better than bandages as easier to put on , cover more (knees and hocks) and you don’t have the worry of putting them on too tight. It has to be the travel boots that are completely soft and squishy so the horses can lie down in them.”

Melissa Chapman, Eventing

“Competition mornings are always a bit manic for us as we normally have 6/8 horses out, so we always try to be super organised the day before. The wagon is loaded, minus the tack!

Horses bathed and plaited and all travel stuff ready to go. We write a list on the board of jobs that need to be done and make sure everyone knows their role in getting us ready to go! Preparation is key to getting away ready and on time.”

Cara Shardlow, Dressage

“Preparation is the key!

I need to be prepared, timing is so important so that you are not late and stressed when you arrive. Firstly, I find out my times and work back from there as to what time to set of leaving me plenty of time to warm up, so hopefully I can get the best out of myself and my horses. I plan how long it takes to bath, plait up, load the Lorry, get me ready etc. I learn the test a few days before so I can practice movements I have to do.”

The post Show Sunday: Show Day Advice From Supported Riders appeared first on The Millbry Hill Blog: Life in the Country.