When things go wrong in the horse show ring, how to turn show ring mistakes into learning opportunities for horse and rider

I’ve known and loved lots of horse families in my years of coaching. Riding students and their “pit crews”- those bound up in the bundle of life with them. Horse shows can pull families together…and sadly, others apart.
As coaches, let’s do our part to support our families – they’re the building blocks of our communities in a messy world.

Horse show judges are reminded to consider the intent of the horse show rule – to keep the purpose of the class and the standard of what’s “correct” to guide our judging
decisions.
In other words, to ask “What’s the point?”

Snowman, an $80 horse, purchased from among the “leftovers’ at auction became an acclaimed show jumper. Christmas is the story of hope found in unexpected places.- a hope that can’t be shaken and ultimately lasts – beyond the next political cycle or horse show season.

Training your horse to wait will bear fruit in many disciplines where immobility is assessed. Halting square and staying attentive 3-4 seconds – which can feel like and eternity- is required in dressage, working equitation and in obstacle classes.

Mounting your horse sets the tone for your ride. Teach your horse to wait. Train him to accommodate all mounting forms and tolerate all styles, from either side…graceful and less so. Mounting from the ground, from a block, leg up …or vault on!