When things go wrong in the show ring Part 4
The rest of this article I wrote for Canadian Horse Journals is available on their site https://www.horsejournals.com/riding-training/rider-development/psychology/when-things-go-wrong-show-ring
The rest of this article I wrote for Canadian Horse Journals is available on their site https://www.horsejournals.com/riding-training/rider-development/psychology/when-things-go-wrong-show-ring
But he never does that at home!” When my horse responds to a cue “most of the time”, he hasn’t quite learned it. A busy horse show atmosphere is sensory overload for a green horse. By August, judges have sadly DQ’d a scorecard full of horses not “quite” ready for the ring. Summer school stinks … Read more
Horse show safety tips – more points from an article I wrote several years ago- tips for a young coach, preparing riders for that first show of the season!
Tips for a young coach, preparing riders for that first show of the season!
As a coach who enjoys working with novice riders, I’ve learned that there are as many issues to deal with outside the show ring as inside it. Navigating horses and trailers going in every direction. Unfamiliar sights and sounds.
Prepare for that first horse show and navigate the horse show warm up ring like a winner. While horse riding’s not technically a team sport, looking out for one another in the warm up ring benefits everyone!
The horse show warm up ring- a sea of horses and riders, each rider in their own head -and under pressure. Time pressure, peer pressure and pressure to succeed in the horse show ring. While riding’s not technically a team sport, looking out for one another benefits everyone!
I think we’re on the “right lead” when the horse show industry seeks to strengthen sport horse welfare and to safeguard the public image of horse competition – our “social license to operate”.
If you plan to step into the horse show arena, expect the unexpected. Few sports have more variables than equestrian. This is the 1st of a 3 part article I wrote for Canadian Horse Journal. What might you expect to go wrong in the show ring? I’ll put on my horse show judge’s hat and share common equestrian mistakes. Additionally, I’ll wear my hat as a specialist in equine behaviour. Fixing WHAT happened depends on discovering WHY it happened.
Do judge’s care if…? Do judges prefer…? Horse show judging has taught me that the pressure to sort through a group of moving horses in a limited time doesn’t leave room for pet preferences. Without a good mover and correct leads, bling and brand names won’t land anyone in the ribbons for flat and rail classes.