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Getting ready for the Show

What to Wear: 

Helmet: approved safety helmet, black is the preferred color. 

White or tan breeches

Light colored shirt – for jumping a stock tie or rat catcher for girls, a tie for boys; for dressage a stock tie.  For this show (Polo Club Open Pony Championships) a collared plain white shirt is acceptable if you do not have a show shirt.

Boots;   paddock boots, with half chaps or tall riding boots.  In the Category III Dressage, tall riding boots are required. 

Gloves: White gloves for dressage.  Jumping you may wear a conservative color or no gloves.

Jacket:  A dark conservative color. You may be able to find one in department stores.

Hair:  Neat and tidy, all except the shortest hair should be in a hair net.  Long hair should be pulled back into a ponytail, then either pinned on top of the head or placed in bun, put the hairnet on, then carefully place the helmet on your head.   

There are consignment sale items in the office that other members have outgrown.  Gloves and jackets can be shared, check with your friends before hand if you need to borrow some attire.  Make sure your show clothes are clean.  Bring something along to give your boots a final polish before you enter the ring.

Your show clothes (see above).

 
Money to pay for your entry fees, lunch, and snacks.

What to bring:


Braiding kit

Camera and film (optional)

 

Clean soft cloth for last minute boot polish

Treats for your pony (optional)

Preparation Work: 

One week before:
Check to see if others are sharing your pony.  If they are,  then get together and decide who will do what to get the pony and tack ready.

Shampoo the pony’s mane and tail.  Do not wait and do this later, as it will make the mane too slippery to braid. 

Make sure your pony’s mane is pulled to braiding length. 

Practice braiding your pony’s mane, if you have braided for many shows before, you may skip this step. 

One day before: 
Clean your pony’s tack.  Remember the bit must go into the pony’s mouth so don’t use any chemicals to clean it.  The synthetic saddles may be brushed and wiped clean.  Leather may be cleaned with a damp, not wet, sponge.  The stirrup pads should be scrubbed clean.  Trim off any unsightly long hairs.  Please do not shave off the pony’s whiskers or long hair around his eyes.  Many of the ponies have been recently clipped, so will not need trimming.  This may be a good time to pick out your pony’s tail.  This must be done by hand; using a brush of comb will tear out too many hairs.

Give your pony a bath.  Don’t use shampoo on the mane.

On the day of the show :

Be a good sport ...

Remember to put your horse's comfort before your own.  You choose to be there, he’s been drafted. 

Be nice to the family and friends who help you.

Arrive in plenty of time so you don’t feel rushed.

Check your ride times; they may have changed due to cancellations or last minute additions.

If there is an opportunity, take your pony for a walk around the competition arena so it won’t seem so frightening when you enter your class. 

Braid your pony’s mane.  You may also braid his tail. If you haven’t done this many times before, count on it taking at least one hour.   

Pay your show fees (you may not enter the ring before you have taken care of this pesky detail.)

Get dressed in your show clothes if you came in other clothes. 

Check for your posted class pattern and go to the ring and memorize your route in jumping.  For dressage, take a look at the competition arena, note where the letters and judge are located.  Visualize yourself riding your test in this arena. 

Check with your instructor on what time you should start your warm up.

Be sure and inform your grooms what time you need the pony tacked up. 

Most ponies are not as relaxed at a show as they are at home.  They are looking to their rider for confidence and reassurance.  Breathe normally and it will help your pony relax. 

Leave plenty of room between your pony and the other ponies in the warm up.  These ponies don’t know each other and may show more aggression than normal. 

In the jumping arena, you may only jump a fence if the red flag on the fence is on your right side.  Jumping it the opposite way will get you eliminated from the class.

Jumping Classes:

The course will be opened for walking before your class begins.  You will probably be warming up your pony when the course is opened.  Have a groom or friend hold your pony while you walk the course with your instructor.  During the course walk, you must be in your show clothes, you may carry your helmet and jacket instead of wearing them.

When jumping in the warm up, jump with the red flag on your right.  Call your fence before jumping i.e.: “Jumping crossbar!” 

Watch out for traffic in the warm up.  Try to stay away from ponies that are overly excited. 

The ring steward will call your name or your pony’s name when it is almost your time to go. 

Exit the warm up arena, and wait by the entrance to the jumping arena. 

As you enter the ring, move so you can see the judge and when the judge is looking salute the judge. 

The judge will ring a bell, and you then have 45 seconds before you must pass through the start gate.  This is usually enough time to trot by any unusual looking fences near the in gate, so your pony won’t be scared by it.  It is against the rules to obviously show your pony a fence before you start the course.  Once you go through the start gate, your course has officially begun, even if your 45 seconds are not up. 

If you circle your horse and cross your tracks while on course it will count as a refusal. If your pony completely stops it will count as a refusal.  (Note: you may slow down to a very slow walk and as long as you are still going forward it is not a refusal).

Each refusal will count points off your score.  Two refusals and you are eliminated.  A fall also results in elimination, and so does leaving the arena.  The judge may allow you to finish the course, but if you hear a bell you must leave the arena. 

If you go off course you will be eliminated.

If you have a refusal, turn your horse around, and head for the jump again.  Don’t give him a big approach to the fence or time to think about refusing again.  Don’t loose your temper. 

If you fall off your horse, catch him and get back on.  See if the judge will allow you to finish the class or if they would like you to leave.  Don’t make a big scene and dissolve into tears. 

If you forget your course, slow down and try to figure it out.  Remember, if you come to a complete stop or circle it will count as a refusal (still better than an off course).

After you finish the last jump you must go through the finish line.  Bring your pony back to a walk before leaving the arena. 

Dressage Classes:

Try not to get too close to ponies who are overly excited.

When the pony in front of you enters the arena, you should get your jacket on.

The ring steward will call your pony’s name or your name when it is almost time for you to compete. 

When the competitor before you exits the arena you may take your pony around the outside of the dressage arena.  If there isn’t room you may enter the arena and work your pony in the arena until the judge rings the bell. 

After the bell has rung, you have 45 seconds to begin your test.  On a horse this is a lot of time, but if you are riding a very slow pony you may need to turn and trot to the in gate when you hear the bell. 

! ! ! ! !

Here are some things you can’t do during your test:

! ! ! ! !

Make a noise with your mouth that the judge can hear

Leave the arena

Forget your test 3 times

Beat your pony

When you halt and salute at X, wait for the judge to nod or salute you, before moving on with your test. 

If you get the wrong lead or diagonal, fix it; don’t continue on hoping the judge won’t notice.  If your pony spooks, shies, or shows some other disobedience just try to go on with your test.  If a circle or some other part of your test did not go well, just go on with your test: don’t go back and redo it.  Remember, each movement of a dressage test is judged by itself, so you could get a “2” on one movement and an “8” on the next one (it happens at the Olympics).  Don’t let one bad moment throw your performance for the rest of the test. 

If you forget your test and go “off course” the judge will ring the bell.  Trot over to the judge and you will be told how to get back on track.  You may do this twice, but on the 3^rd “off course” you will be eliminated.  If you do go off course, this will count a few points off your score.  Most dressage tests have possible scores of over 150 points, so stay calm and relaxed, and it won’t affect your score much. 

After your last salute, exit the arena at a walk on a long rein.   

Most competitions require you to receive your awards in your show clothes.  You may be asked to ride your pony for the awards ceremony.  The winner will then lead the other riders in a “victory gallop”.  Stay in control during this lap of the ring even if it means staying in a trot or walk.   

If it is your pony’s last class of the day make sure it’s braids are taken out and is resting comfortably.  Thank your groom (sometimes they load ponies and leave right after the last class).   

Pick up your dressage test sheet from the office after your class has its ribbons awarded.  Study your sheet for things to improve.  If you do not understand the comments, feel free to ask the judge what he/she meant when they have a free moment.  

Before you leave the ground make sure you have packed up everything you brought. 

Thank the following people before you leave the grounds:

Your pony’s groom

Your trainer

The show organizer (it’s a lot of work to put on a show)

The judge

Your parents! 

Please remember: shows take a lot of practice, what is easy at home, may be hard to do at a show, until you have several show experiences under your belt.  This is true for you and your pony.  Relax, have fun and enjoy the experience.