|
Do you want to be the exhibitor that the show staff want to come back again and again, or the one that makes them cringe when you pull up? Personally, I am in the first group. I know a few that belong to the second group, and they can make the show day more stressful than it needs to be. Have the show staff looking forward to having you at the next show by following these 8 “Do’s” of horse show etiquette. 1 – Do Pre-Enter/Submit Your Entry BEFORE the Deadline Most horse shows have pre-entry. Pre-entry is simply being able to register for the show and enter the classes you want to compete in. Most shows have an online form or email you can send the entry to. The show secretary loves exhibitors that pre-enter. Trust me on this one. Pre-entering does not mean you have to compete in the classes you chose, or you can’t change/scratch your classes the morning of the show. It does, however, give the show secretary the opportunity to get all your information entered, assign you a number, and start filling in gate sheets. It gives show managers an idea of how many horses are going to compete, and they can make adjustments to show staffing, stall availability, and extra arena space if it’s available. If the show has an entry deadline, be sure to mail the entry so it arrives on or before the due date. If you are concerned about your entry, be sure to contact the show secretary to verify it was received. This makes for a speedy and smooth check-in on the morning of the show. 2 –Do Be on Time for Your Class If the show starts at 8am and you are in Class #1, then you should be at the in-gate at 7:55am at the latest. First call for a class is your signal to head to the in-gate area. Some shows have assigned start times for exhibitors. Be mindful of the time and be where you need to be at least 5 minutes before your start time. If you need a gate hold, be sure to communicate that to the show staff as soon as possible. Don’t wait until they call your name because your class is entering the show ring to request a gate hold. Some shows will simply move on, and you miss your class. You still must pay for the class even if you miss it. Keep track of what class is in the show ring, and how fast the classes are going. If you are competing in an open block class, figure out when you have a long enough break in your classes to go complete your pattern. Don’t wait until the end of the day to complete your open block class. 3 – Do Check in with the Gate Person The gate person’s job is to keep the exhibitors flowing in and out of the show ring smoothly. They have a list of entries for the class, and they check off the entrants as they check in. I have been the gate person at several shows. There is nothing more frustrating than calling an exhibitor’s name, having them not respond, and finding out the exhibitor was standing 10 feet away the whole time. Be sure to check in as soon as you arrive for your class and pay attention to the gate person in case they need to communicate instructions for the class. It is also extremely helpful if you remember your exhibitor number and what class numbers you are entered in.  Heather and Dream early in their second year of showing together. April 2017 4 – Do Review the Rule Book
Be sure to review the rules for the show and for the classes you are entering. This simple step done at home prior to the show can save a lot of misunderstandings and potential conflict. If you are unsure of where to find the rules, ask the show secretary. They will be able to direct you to the appropriate rule book(s) for the show you are attending. 5 – Do Be Prepared There is enough stress on show day without adding forgotten tack and dehydration to the mix. Pack your trailer the day before so you know you have all of the tack and clothing required for the classes. Bring plenty of snacks and drinks. You would be surprised at how many food vendors cancel at the last minute. If you need help, be sure that person is coming. Don’t rely on the good graces of others to assist you on show day. Remember, they are getting ready to compete as well. If available, print or take pictures of your patterns to bring with you. Bring a copy of the showbill so you can keep track of classes. Remember your checkbook and/or wallet. In the summer, don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses. 6 – Do Park Straight and Clean Up When You Leave Parking can be challenging especially if there are a lot of people attending a show. Try to park your trailer as straight as possible. Leave enough room for the neighboring trailers to be able to tie their horses to their trailer. Take up only the space you absolutely need, so more trailers can fit into the parking area. When you leave, clean up your area. Pick up manure, hay, and hair as well as any trash. Most facilities have a wagon and manure fork available to clean with. If not, throw your manure, hair, and hay bits into the back of your trailer. Ideally, when you leave, your parking space should look as good as or better than when you arrived. 7 – Do Be Polite and Courteous to Everyone Horse shows require a lot of patience. There are lines to get checked in, waiting at the in-gate, and unexpected delays. Remember a lot of show staff are volunteers, especially at open shows. They are trying their best to keep the show moving along. Catching up and visiting with friends is wonderful, however have those visits away from high traffic areas, such as the entrance to the arena. Be efficient when using water spigots, the bathroom, and any other shared resource. Remember the adage “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” Don’t be a doormat, but you can be polite and assertive. 8 – Do What’s Right for Your Horse We spend a lot of time preparing, training and practicing for a show. If you have been showing long enough, you know that show days rarely go as planned. Your sweet angel muffin may have inconveniently decided to take the day off, and your horse is now grumpy Gus who doesn’t feel very cooperative. Your horse may have some discomfort today that wasn’t there yesterday. This may mean you need to scratch a class or scrap the day altogether. Show staff would much rather you scratch classes than watch you and/or your horse have a miserable day in the show ring. I have had to scratch entries and whole days. It is so disappointing. At the end of the day, your horse and their health is more important than any buckle, ribbon, or trophy. There you have it. Follow the 8 golden rules of horse show etiquette, and the show staff as well as your fellow exhibitors will cheer when you pull up.
0 Comments
Be sure to include your horse training and conditioning schedule when you set up your timeline so they will be ready as well. A training planner is a great resource to formalize your goals and track your progress towards them. Also, leave buffer space in case tasks cannot be completed when you originally scheduled them. For example, your farrier needs to reschedule. Be sure to book any appointments at least two weeks before the show at the latest, so there is room to reschedule if needed.
Since our first big show is usually in mid-April, I start thinking about my preparation the first week of January. First on my list, I submit all my paperwork by January 31st. I double check any deadlines in early January to be certain that I don’t miss important dates. I also start light practice with the horses. Weather permitting, I plan for two to three relatively short practice sessions per week focusing on specific things, such as pivots, trail obstacles, transitions, etc. The first week of February, I check my tack, show clothes, clipper blades, grooming supplies, and the horse’s blankets and sheets. I make a list of items that need to be replaced. This gives me plenty of time to get them on order or purchased prior to when I will need them. Since Whiskey is still growing, I checked his show halter to be sure it still fit. I had already noted at the end of last show season, he was going to need a bigger sheet and full body slinky. I have spent the winter keeping an eye out for sales on those items. I also set aside items that need repair. The latter part of February, I complete the repairs and mending as needed. I step up the practice sessions with the horses in February. They get a little longer and I focus on refining maneuver’s and start driving more often. I don’t have an indoor arena nearby, so the weather is a big factor in my training and conditioning plan. I try to be creative and flexible in the training plan to accomplish my training goals. March is when the rubber hits the road as far as preparation goes. We start doing warm-up/fuzzy shows. Training and conditioning the horses is at the forefront of the timeline. I practice three times per week minimum but try to get four to five sessions in per week. For my driving horse, we are practicing in cart at least a couple times a week in addition to working on in hand skills. I mix up practice and conditioning to keep it fresh for both me and the horse. The remainder of supplies needed get purchased. I go through the tack room in the horse trailer and organize as needed. The horse trailer gets washed inside and out. I make sure that my horse wear (blankets, sheets, tail bags, etc.) are clean and ready. The show cart gets shined up, and touch up paint as needed. I take my cowboy hat to be cleaned and shaped. My preparation task list gets double checked to make sure I haven’t missed anything. April is the home stretch of preparation. At the first of the month, I bathe, and body clip my miniature horse. I like to body clip about two weeks before the first show. I pre-register for the show to make check in on show day quick and easy. I continue to practice at least three times per week depending on where the horses are in their skills and conditioning. I iron my show clothes and clean my show tack. The week of the show, I get my horse show packing list and check off items as they are loaded into the truck or trailer. The horses get a final bath and I touch up their bridlepath, face, and legs with the clippers the day before the show. My husband and I load everything but the horses in the trailer by the night before the show. I sleep better knowing there isn’t anything left to do but load the horses and go in the morning. At this point, I’m ready to go show and have fun. Planning and doing things over a few months really helps alleviate a lot of the stress of getting ready for that first big show. It also helps keep you on track when things don’t go as planned. If you have someone who can help, a plan and list make delegating so much easier. Make a plan today and start show season well organized and ready to go! |
RSS Feed
About the Author:
Heather Bunting is a lifelong equestrian. She entered the world of miniature horses and ponies in 2016 when she purchased Dream and Tina. Since then the herd has grown with the addition of Jack, Whiskey, and River. She lives in southwest Idaho on a hobby farm with her husband, Jim, as well as their two dogs, three cats, two goats, and a small flock of chickens. |
Like and follow Resources For Little Horses on
|