SHARE YOUR TOP TIPS ON OUR TIKTOK BELOW ...
To succeed in the show ring focus on 3 main areas:
- Training - include regular exercises and varied routines to improve performance and build confidence
- Presentation - showmanship and proper presentation in hand and under saddle
- Nutrition - Achieve show-ready condition "fit not fat"
Blue Chip founder and successful show horse producer Clare Blaskey has an enviable track record in the show ring. Clare has achieved success at all the major shows, where her horses have competed almost every year since she was 5 years old. Below, she shares her top tips from her wealth of experience. We hope they help you show off your horse or pony to their best.
TRAINING - AT HOME
If your horse will be ridden by the judge, allow other riders of different sizes ride your horse in preparation.
Practice riding transitions so your horse moves smoothly from one gait to another. Concentrate on riding your horse so that they move away from the leg easily and listen to your aids in downwards transitions so that they don’t fall onto their forehand.
Place banners and/or feed bags around your yard/arena so your horse gets used to the sight and sound of distractions.
Treat your horse like a horse. Try to turn your horse out everyday, even in bad weather and vary your horse’s routine to include schooling, pole work, jumping and hacking out. Seek training from a show rider or coach for expert advice and feedback.
Practice trotting your horse in hand and standing your horse up for the judge. This is an important part of most classes and many people forget to practise this at home.
TRAINING - AWAY FROM HOME
Before you start the competition season, take a young or novice horse to dressage competitions. Your horse can experience travelling and working in with other horses in a similar situation to a show.
PRESENTATION - TACK AND TUNOUT
Try to have the correct tack for the class you are going to enter. A lightweight bridle is correct for a hack whereas a more substantial one is needed for a Riding Horse and a thicker, more workmanlike bridle for a Cob or Hunter.
Make sure you have a correctly fitting and comfy saddle that shows off your horse. Stirrup leathers should be able to be adjusted easily and stirrups should be wide enough to fit a man’s foot in them.
- Plaits - neat and even
- Tail - neatly pulled/plaited
- White socks - Clean, it may help to clip the hair off a horse with white legs
PRESENTATION - ON SHOW DAY
Improving your preparation and ‘ring craft’ at shows can really help to ‘catch the judge’s eye’ and wow them with that winning performance.
NUTRITION
Your horse should be in tip-top condition, with good topline and muscle tone. They should gleam with health, and not have to be constantly bathed.
Enviable coat shine comes from horses being healthy from within; this can be easily achieved by feeding a balancer suitable for their needs, whether that be a 15kg option or a Super Concentrated balancer. Balancers avoid excessive weight gain, while providing a balanced diet that supports overall health and performance, and can even target additional specific needs such as calming or joint care.
Examples of potential balancer choices, please do contact us for individual advice:
- Calming - Helps to control anxiety, stress and excitable behaviour and promotes gut comfort. A calm and confident horse is more likely to perform well in the show ring.
- Native - Perfect coat condition and enhanced shine, helps to improve mane, tail and feather quality, and helps to maintain topline and a healthy weight
- Original - Aids development of exceptional condition, topline, scurf-free skin and gleaming coat
The most important thing is for you and your horse to enjoy your day. It is also a great opportunity to watch the professionals and pick up some ringside tips. If you want to know anything, go and ask them as they are usually more than willing to help.
@bluechipfeed Equestrians, let's not gatekeep! 👀 Share your top tips for show ring success in the comments! 🐴⬇️ ⭐Head over to our blog to find out our top 3 tips to show ring success- https://bluechipfeed.com/blogs/horse-care-corner/secrets-to-show-ring-success #horse #horseriding #equestrian #pony #equine #foryoupage #foryou #fyp #showing #horseshow #gatekeep #comment #tag #dyk ♬ PASSO BEM SOLTO - Slowed - ATLXS
