[RideToLive13]

I've been riding for 5 years on-and-off (barn issues) and am finally at a barn to stay for good. I am going to my first show as Claire's student (shes my trainer), and I'll be showing in the hunter-jumpers. It's a local, unrated show. Does anyone have any tips for things I should know about how the class is judged, what to look out for, and what to remember? Anything will help! I want to do good because I'm hoping my place at the barn will become final.

[Roxi&Bingo]

Just be respectful to people in the warm up pens, it's amazing what a few nice comments and good ring etiquette can get you

Also have fun and don't stress, welcome the the fantastic world of horse showing

Good luck.

[JumpingDreams]

As my trainer told me to remember before my first show, heels down, make sure you're on the right diagonal or lead, stay relaxed, and smile a bit. And here's what I'm always told to do if I'm nervous, eat a banana before the show. lol.

Good luck.

[magic_rider]

Just have lots of fun. good luck

[cantara]

i had my 1st show last weekend and it was a blast! you will have a lot of fun!

[Huntseat]

The most important thing IMO is to go into the ring and come out of it with a smile on your face I'm sure that it will go just great, but just in case something bad happens, if you can just laugh it off as an "oopsie!", you'll be able to learn from it and people will respect you for having a good attitude.

Are you showing hunters or jumpers? They are two TOTALLY different classes, and we can't really help you with what the judge is looking for until we know what you are showing

[Simon Says]

be respectful in the warm up, call your jumps out! Have fun, smile and get pictures

[DressageGirl16]

Remember to breath. have fun, make it a good time, don;t worry about ribbons and placings, just make it a great learning experience, the ribbons are just a bonus

[passe831]

Breathe. I always forget to because I focus so hard... and trust me, its not as easy as it seems

In Hunters just aim to make your course seem as effortless as possible. Put in the right amount of strides(usually 12 ft. unless your in ponies/they let ponies add consistantly in the smaller divisions), get your leads (at unrated if you need to do a nice quick simple change they allow it I believe), and go clear. The rest depends on your horses overall movement and form.

Jumpers is technically speed and clear, but I strongly reccommend riding smoothly and not trying to go fast at your first show. Dont race, just ride a nice smooth clear round.

In hunters you will have a simple 8-10 (give or take) course. Usually a single inside-diagonal-outside line-diagonal-other outside line Or something along those lines. Be prepared to jump flower boxes, Tree branches, lattice, planks, hay bales, natural boxes with both verticals and oxers. Flat class is usually just walk trot canter at unrated shows, the higher you get the more they will ask.

In jumpers, you will have a more complicated longer course with quick turns, combinations and usually brightly coloured jumps that can basically anything under them. They can have hunter stuff or just bright poles or tarps, water, planks, boxes or any colour of shape. Most jumps will just be poles usually though.

Hunters, you warm-up over your first course or a set warm-up course, jumper you walk each course before riding it.

[rebelbabe]

always smile!
Even if something happens wrong...act like IT'S RIGHT!
relax, have fun. If you're not having fun, then you shouldn't do it right?!
Acknowledge the judge, know your patterns, relax.