Show Tips....lets share

[Pasogirlz]

Ok trainers and A/O competitors. Lets share some of your best advice w/ the novices. I wanna hear all the little things that help make a performance polished and "professional".

[Barbwire]

If you are bigger than a "C" cup, wear 2 bras.

[Pasogirlz]

If you are bigger than a "C" cup, wear 2 bras.
I thought I already shared that advice? ;-)

[Barbwire]

Yes, but it bears repeating. :D

[SandyMM]

One of my pet peeves in the show ring is dirty tack. It is very unprofessional to enter the ring with anything less than sparkling metal and clean, polished leather - all in good repair.

Well-groomed horse! of course! lol

[Mona Lisa]

I personally don't show, but my family and friends do. I agree that clean tack is a must. Also pay close attention to the grooming of your horse. The rider must also be polished, have an outfit that fits correctly and is flattering to the overall picture. Another biggie is make sure that you are in the "right" class. Newbies make this error all too often. Please check with someone that has more experience and ask for an honest opinion. I so often shake my head when I see a pleasure horse in a performance class, or a pleasure in a performance class -- etc....


Mona

[echo]

RELAX and ENJOY your ride! The biggest mistake I see in the a/o classes is that people get all freaked out and worked up, then they cannot ride well, and their horses reflect their demeanor. A horse is your mirror...practice being calm under exciting circumstances. Ride in front of others routinely to get over the "jitters". Compete in smaller shows first. Don't forget to BREATHE! :eek: :lol:

[CarolU]

Look ACROSS the board. Don't focus on it. If you look at it the same way as riding down the sidewalk, so will your horse.

BREATH...(I know Lori already said it, but no one can say it enough)...BREATH

Oh...and SMILE, especially in Pleasure. You're supposed to be enjoying the ride!

[SQUEAKS]

Here's my tips for the girls

1. Do NOT believe latin trainers who say they are not married
2. If they tell you they own a horse ranch in Columbia simply ask , "Could I see your deed to the place?"
If they ask you "Do you want to come to my motel room and see photos of my horses, simply say, "My dad is Chief of Police here.... can he come along too because he loves Paso Finos?"

add your own tips to this list LOL :D

[Barbwire]

A wink and a wiggle will get you far with a judge, but cash bribes will get you farther, faster.

[Pasogirlz]

Here's my tips for the girls

1. Do NOT believe latin trainers who say they are not married
2. If they tell you they own a horse ranch in Columbia simply ask , "Could I see your deed to the place?"
If they ask you "Do you want to come to my motel room and see photos of my horses, simply say, "My dad is Chief of Police here.... can he come along too because he loves Paso Finos?"

add your own tips to this list LOL :D


I asked for show tips not Miami dating tips. :lol:

[Wendy]

Corn Starch on white markings really make them look clean and baby oil on muzzle, around eyes and ears. A good clipper job is a must. If you haven't done it in a while or are new with clippers start practicing now so that it can grow out if needed before show season starts.

And most importantly: HAVE FUN!!!!! :D

[RR]

Proper boots. (black with black suits, brown with kaki pants...)
Correct hat (black felt for performance, straw for pleasure, no zebra prints, looks tacky)
Clean horse
and most importantly sober!

OH and one more thing. DO NOT GO DOWN THE FINO BOARD WHEN EXCUSED FROM THE CLASS!!!!! I didn't do it but my daughter did at nationals a few years ago, she didn't know that it was a no-no.
That was her last paso show period.

[motorgypsy]

Just copy Lori's big grin and buy a horse that gaits like General!! He's great on the trails too by the way.

Choose your stalls and your barn carefully. You want good ventillation and a fairly quiet area. Tell the person who assigns them. It's also good to have stalls fairly close to the parking area so you can load and unload easily and don't have to carry stuff so far.

A lot of people buy an extra stall for tack and changing.

Get to the practice arena really early for classes. Plan far ahead because things do happen. Carry spare outfits. Wear some kind of lab coat type thing over your show outfit until you're ready to go to the class.

Carry extras of everything you possibly can.

If you have a big butt don't wear light colored pants and get someone to take a picture of you from the rear to be sure your saddle isn't too small. There are nice outfits that you can wear in pleasure that look really good on larger people. In performance and fino just make sure you lose the panty line and don't overhand the saddle.

Oh - wear two sport bras over your regular bra if you need to so you don't get hit in the face with all that bouncing.

There are quite a few noline panties for sale - some are thigh length and others are higher. If you can tolerate thongs some are OK, some are still visible. The noline panties are quite comfortable and can be purchased at Walmart etc. Again use two mirrors and get in some really good light and look at the side and rear views.

Don't get upset if you lose. Everyone does. It's not a judgement of the value of you or your horse. In the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal. It's a game so enjoy it!!!

[Abejita]

what why are we bouncing..are these horses not supposed to be smooth??? ;-)

[motorgypsy]

;-) ;-) ;-) Some of us bounce when we're not moving! ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

[DebbieS]

;-) ;-) ;-) Some of us bounce when we're not moving! ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Don't rub it in!! Some of us will never bounce!!

Always give your horse a pet on the neck when you're done!!

[cowboy ed]

about the only tip i can give you is, dont ride conservatively. i think many judges would rather see you push your horse a bit, and try to show everything the horse has, even if you mess up a little. i think too often riders worry about making a mistake, so they just kind of hold back and dont really let the horse work.

[echo]

I read somewhere, Horse Journal I think, that the difference between an amateur and a professional is that an amateur tries hard NOT to make mistakes, while a professional EXPECTS to make mistakes AND is prepared to minimize their effect.
If you mess up, get you and the horse together, then continue as if nothing happened. You don't know which judge (if any) even saw the mistake. No horse/rider is perfect. Keep riding, have a good time. If you place, that's great. If you exit the ring knowing that you and your horse did your best, then you won the class, regardless of what color ribbon you are holding. I approach the ring as a challenge to do my personal best. I am not competing with others, they are not riding my horse. I think it's less intimidating when you look at it from this perspective. I pay attention to my spacing with other competitors, but watching your competitors while in the ring is distracting you from doing your best. Ride YOUR horse, concentrate on keeping yourself calm to relay that message to your horse.

Thanks, Motorgypsies!

[Brigitte]

I always make a list of EVERYTHING I need there. Make sure you're tacked up early and ready to go as soon as you're called.

[RitmicoRox5]

**forget everything going on around you...i.e. your friends/family and anyone else...focus on you and your horse as well as being aware of the people around you
**if you are really nervous do not eat before because you dont want to ride with a stomach ache
**always wish good luck and congratulations to other riders because you dont want to be known as a bad sport
**do your best and dont worry about little mistakes, you can always fix those next time
**dont rush yourself, take the time you need to be prepared and ready
**and my last tip is KICK SOME BUTT lol

[~pasowave~]

Make sure you go into the ring w/ a good additude!! You need to be able to be happy w/ your horse as well as yourself regardless of where you place.
In pleasure, MAKE SURE YOU SMILE!!!!!!! It helps you relax, and your supposed to be having fun.
It's true what Ritmico said about eating alot when your really nervous, however, in the morning before you ride make sure you eat something even if it's small, because if you don't your likely to get a stomach ache and you can't think as well especilly if your doing pattern work.
Try and keep a relaxed seat and don't get all stiff because your horse will sense it and make you both nervous.
MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN BECAUSE IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D

[PattiB]

Pay attention to what is going on in the ring. Don't ride blind. If you look around you, you will see problems before you get to them. Space your horse, even if you have to cut across the ring to find a open spot. I try to watch where the judge is looking, they can't judge what they can't see! So if you need to check your horse a little hard, do it when the judge isn't looking.

[diswick]

Years and years ago my best friend told me that the secret to winning is to put your butt in the saddle for 20 minutes a day, every day. Winning is done by being ready for the show, both you and your horse, and the way to be ready is ride ride ride...consistantly BEFORE the show. If you and your horse know each other and you have practiced enough it will show, and you will win. The horse will be in shape and so will you. That will be noticed more than everything else. The judge is judging the horse, not the tack; the horse, not the rider; and the horse who knows and does its job the best is the one that should win (doesn't always happen that way, but it is supposed to.)

AND, when entering the ring, be either first or last; many classes are won the first time the judge looks at the horses, as they enter the ring, and the judge historically notices the first, and then, the last horse.

[Privatetreaty]

Teach your horse at home to eat ice.
It's a fast and easy way to provide some water, even with a bit in mouth.

Use a show pak (not the stuff you use daily basis at the barn).
This way you don't forget anything or use dirty brushes, etc.

Always use a finishing brush at the show on the body.
Part the hair on the tail down the middle with a comb.

Echo is right - spacing is crutial (you must have picked this up from Pat Figueroa - she taught me 28 years ago - I'm not kidding).
Avoid riding into a box - look back and do a circle to create space.

Avoid turning your head around - move your eyes instead.
Look- down and to the side a little to see back (practice at home).
Listen- you can hear a heavy breathing horse behind you.
Shadow- use shadows to see yourself and horses behind you.

It's okay to be passed at a Corto.
But, it looks better to pass at the Largo.

Wow, there's so much more. :idea:
But, I don't want to be a posting hog.

[motorgypsy]

MORE!!MORE!!MORE!!!

[CarolU]

Diana's advice was great...nothing more important that practice, practice, practice.

As far as attitude, I teach my students, "If you win, the horse deserves half the credit. But if you loose, it is never your horse's fault." Either you didn't practice enough, or you were nervous and made your horse nervous, or didn't prepare for that arena ahead of time...or you were up against a better horse.

So many people blame their horse when they leave the arena, and even worse, take it out them. A horse is just a reflection of its rider and/or trainer.

[~ll*michelle*ll~]

hehe didnt we already have a topic like this?????

well im sticking to wut i said last time !!!!!! ............nothing ......lol :D

my show ring secrets have been learned from the last 4 yrs of riding and competing so im gonna not say ne thing to give away my secrets !!!! :D

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!.............lol :D

good luck to u pplz !!!!!!!!!!!!

[motorgypsy]

Ahhhhhh Michelle - afraid of a little competition HUH!!! Need the edge those tricks give you huh??? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[George Marlow]

Reminder to self:
Insure horse is in great physical condition weeks before the show, use the last 2 or 3 weeks to a month for tone up and finishing.
DITTO Rider
Have everything done a full day prior to departure;
Vehicle and Trailer serviced
Horse bathed and groomed
Tack cleaned and in trailer
Show supplies stored in trailer including first aid/emergency care kit
Paper work up to date/filed (stored where they will make it to the show!)
Show garments pressed and packed
Food and beverages packed and put away
(This is a condensed list put you get the idea)
The day prior to depature have a relaxing and peaceful day
Do a punch list to verify everything is in place
Pamper your horse and yourself
Look forward to your depature and the upcoming events knowing you have prepared well.
Enjoy this wonderful breed and the camaraderie

This is my goal, I do not always accomplish it, but when I do the experience of showing brings great joy.

Good luck to all who make the gate(gait), ride the class and wax
some(hiney).

Cordially
George

[Pasogirlz]

These are all such great advice, and I need as much as I can get....no thanks to ~michelle~. ;-)

Privatetreaty....PLEASE TELL US MORE! :D

[dana]

Make sure your boots get dusted off between classes. i saw a performance mares class that came down to the last two and the deciding factor (the judge told the rider) was that both horses were evenly matched but one woman's boots were dusty from in between classes.

dana

[Polly Aulton]

This is the funniest threat I've read in a long time.
The bra tip is hilarious. If I'm bouncing that much on a horse it can't possibly be a paso. LOL
Guess my best tip is don't pet the horse. My first three trips into the ring I didn't place cause I kept petting the horse and saying "good job". That particular judge didn't like it.
Polly

[CarolU]

This is the funniest threat I've read in a long time.
The bra tip is hilarious. If I'm bouncing that much on a horse it can't possibly be a paso. LOL
Guess my best tip is don't pet the horse. My first three trips into the ring I didn't place cause I kept petting the horse and saying "good job". That particular judge didn't like it.
Polly

now Polly, I was reading that differently. I was reading it if I wore two extra bras (I assume filled with padding) I COULD bounce.

Darn

[Terry Wallace]

Here is one for you (please don't spazz on me)...

You have loaded the horses and are heading to the show. Upon your arrival to the show grounds, you unload horses only to find that one has somehow skinned his face, or leg, or somewhere else....you don't know how, but you see there is no hair there in the spot. You now have a "mar" on your otherwise well-groomed animal. What do you do?

What I have done is, take the clippers to the back of a fetlock..or somewhere you can get the same color of hair that is missing...clip off a small amount into your hand. Take a little bottle of "new skin" or Super Glue liquid....smear just a little bit on the naked spot...then "blow" the clippings off your hand and onto the naked spot, and walla...instant coverage. Use the smallest clippings you can...not long hair...its a "flocking effect" that you get... on small nicks you can barely tell.

[Barbwire]

deleted double posted

[Barbwire]

Thank you for the tip, MacGyver.

[CarolU]

Terry, I always wondered how you got that patch of pinto hair on your ear lobe. ;-)

(and that is JUST what would happen to ME if I combined cut hair and super glue!)

[Privatetreaty]

Gee Terry, what did you expect after posting that one?
Well, it could have been worse, huh?

Okay, how's about a few more show tips-

Place hay in water bucket either in the trailer or at show. Even if they refuse to drink water, at least their getting something.

Use Oral Electrolyte Paste (Oral jug) before, during and after a show. Read instructions carefully for manufacturers suggested dosage.

Avoid using soluble electrolyte mixes in the water. Your horse may avoid drinking water all together.

Don't feed your horse junk food (hamburger, French fries, etc). This is a horse, not a dog.

Avoid having your horse shod right before a show. Horses should be given at least one days rest after being shod.

Never attempt to nail a shoe back on (I saw someone attempt this at a show once). Get a Farrier, otherwise pull the horse from the class.

Remove the black hoof polish with sand paper after the show (a hoof must breath).

Tails should be parted down the middle to highlight the various hair colors and give it that "flowing" look.

Part the tail hair down the center, while hair is wet and then comb w/conditioner. If hair is coarse, use human rinse (not conditioner) product.

Always comb the mane and tail starting from the bottom to detangle. Otherwise, you will break the hairs.

Never pull hard on knots. Use fingers to detangle nasty knots.

Special treat for you pack rats-
Pack smaller items in clear freezer plastic baggies (use easy zip kind) and label them with Sharpie marker, to find stuff easier.

A lot of times, it's easier to load horses at the barn than at the show grounds (don't they want to go home?).
Have one person handle the lead rope, and have two people lock hands behind horse (one person on either side next to back legs).
Typically, when horses feel human arms pulling them in behind their legs, they tend to load safely.
This is kind of hard to explain. If you need pictures, just e-mail me.

Trailer and show stalls should be disinfected prior to use.
(By the way, are you disinfecting your stall at home atleast once a year?)
Here are two products for your consideration-

Trailer & Stall Disinfectant Spray
http://www.pbigordon.com/consumer/Farm_Animal_Products.htm#TrailerStall

STALLSAFE
http://www.shanestack.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-browse-m-EQUINESAFE%20PRODUCTS%20INC

[Pasogirlz]

How about some tips on how to fight the jitters once you are in the arena. :D

Also, how about some tips on how to pass someone, or if you have horse right behind you riding too close.

[CarolU]

It's common curtesy to pass on the inside and leave the rail to the slower horse. If someone is tailgaiting you and won't pass, I'd pull to the inside and let them go by...better then you breaking gait if your horse gets upset by them. (people like to do this in Paso shows to slow their horse's forward progress down).

As for getting rid of the jitters, there is no tried-and-true way short of Valium or Xanex ;-) LOL. I recommend singing to yourself because it makes you breath. You can also try memorization games like the books of the Bible backwards, or the parts of the horse. Or you can run over your dog. :( I did that when I was about 20, my dog ran behind the truck and got run over by the trailer. I was so depressed all day, wasn't excited at all...won all my classes and the All Round Championship. If you're going to use this method, you'd better have a lot of dogs if you show a lot. ;-)

[Pasogirlz]

As for getting rid of the jitters, there is no tried-and-true way short of Valium or Xanex ;-) LOL. I recommend singing to yourself because it makes you breath. You can also try memorization games like the books of the Bible backwards, or the parts of the horse. Or you can run over your dog. :( I did that when I was about 20, my dog ran behind the truck and got run over by the trailer. I was so depressed all day, wasn't excited at all...won all my classes and the All Round Championship. If you're going to use this method, you'd better have a lot of dogs if you show a lot. ;-)

I find that I totally blow the first class, but always do better progressivly thru the day. But the first one...I'm a lunatic. It's like I totally forgot everything I know. :roll:

[Yasmine05]

Everyone's got great tips here...wish I did something like this before I started showing!

I just have one to pass along, and that's for getting rid of the jitters.

I tell all of my students, adults and children, to sing their favorite song (to themselves, of course), at the largo. Most of my students find it hard getting their jitters under control, and singing a favorite song in your head just seems to do the trick. After all, I did it with Poderoso this year...and we ended up with the Grand Championship in Pleasure Stallions/Colts and 3rd Grand Champ in Performance Stallions/Colts. Singing a song helps you relax and find your "groove"...you take your mind off of your nerves and actually enjoy the class a bit more.

Even after doing this for 17+ years, as I tell my students....I still get nervous before the class - and mostly in the lineup. When I'm working the horse on the rail, I guess I'm just concentrating too much (and yes, having too much fun). Of course, I've been caught dancing in the lineup (which can be a big no-no) so...everything in moderation. ;-)

And the most important advice:

Do NOT beat yourself up over a poor placement. Remember that that is simply that one judge's opinion of your performance for that day. If your opinion of your performance is high, do not punish yourself or your horse. Remember, your horse is only "human", as they say...he/she will make mistakes. Mistakes are what add character and what make you, ultimately, a seasoned and well-rounded show person. Remember that this is only a show, one weekend in a year of over 50, and you still have a relationship with your horse that is pure and beautiful. If you are happy with your performance, then that is all that matters. It's hard to ignore the disappointment, but it comes easier with each excusal or "poor" placement. If you do get upset, find a nice, seculded area (I always found that my horse's stall was the best spot, and his neck even better) and cry your eyes out - get it over with, clean your face, take a drink of water, and move on. Don't throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the arena or badmouth the judges to anyone else.

Remember that judges are only human. They sometimes do not see the mistakes that we (as spectators) can see. They have one set of eyes, and the view is very different from inside the arena than it is on the outside, trust me.

My last piece of advice...

HAVE FUN.

:D

[Privatetreaty]

During an interview, Elizabeth Taylor was asked if she ever gets nervous before a performance?

She replied, "Everybody does, unless they're crazy or a liar".
.

[PattiB]

Waiting to go into the class is when I get the jitters, once I'm going through the gate there is too much to think about to be nervous. If you feel nervous talk to your horse (in a low voice of course), talking keeps you breathing, I'd sing but I might scare my horse :lol:

[Got Brio?]

When I last went to a show I spent a few peaceful moments with my horse before I went in. And It turned out I did really good :D

[Brigitte]

Make sure your boots get dusted off between classes. i saw a performance mares class that came down to the last two and the deciding factor (the judge told the rider) was that both horses were evenly matched but one woman's boots were dusty from in between classes.

dana

Stupid reason to lose, but shows that how the riders look does make a difference. We have had horses lose here because the rider's didn't know how to do an ocho or would turn to the outside instead of the inside

[motorgypsy]

Don't overtrain. You can burn yourself and the horse out

ACT like you know what you're doing. It works.

Know your horse and how to handle them when they're nervous. Different things work for different horses. With Chinook I have to stay on the ground until the class actually enters the arena but with Brandy she's much better if you're in the saddle.

Be a good winner as well as a good loser. Remember you really were "just lucky".

Walk your horse around the arena in both directions before the show during a practice session with other horses in there. If you horse can handle a practice session the real thing will be a piece of cake because the pracatice sessions are like a demolition derby. People get dumped, people go in both directions at all different speeds, people stop and stand in the way as you practice - actually they are great fun!!!

Enjoy meeting all the people and chatting and looking at all the great horses.

Prepare as much as you can and then just forget worrying and enjoy the fun. It's like a big party - so much fun!!!!!