[mustang_dodger]

i miss showing like crazy. i really want to get back into it. when i use to show i mainly did it for fun and to learn new stuff. yeah i have about 20 ribbons and one trophy from my shows. i know there are a lot of people out there that all they care about is winning. i have show against some of those people. to me showing is some thing fun and to learn stuff. if i don't get a ribbon, i go home and work harder for the next show. there was one show that i showed at at my friend's farm. the judge was a friend of mine, and at the end of every class she told us what we needed to work. i took her words to heart and worked on a lot of the stuff she told. so when i get back into showing i hope those things help me. what things have you guys learned from showing?

[No1Dazy]

I've learned that there's always another ride, another day, and another show, so don't take it too seriously if it doesn't go well.

[mustang_dodger]

Originally Posted by No1Dazy

I've learned that there's always another ride, another day, and another show, so don't take it too seriously if it doesn't go well.

yeah that is true too

[mustang_dodger]

bumping this up

[Drafty]

i showed for 3 years first year on a 20 yr old buckskin mare 6 ribbons 1 trophy, second show legend my 19 yr old draft horse 2 ribbons first draft to show in show ring and was in the news paper, third show no ribbons on buddy a 10 yr old draft cross

i love to show and smile all the time and know i am there for fun doesn't matter to me if i win or loos i was there to have fun with my horese and what i was doing. great post mustang

[mtgirl]

We go to open shows as a family fun time. They are usually on Saturday and Sundays, so a bunch of us go up on Friday night. We usually have a potluck dinner, weinnie roast, and marshmellow roast for the kids. All the kids are riding their horses around and my hubby is giving people buggy rides. It is just your all american fun, without t.v, games, computers and such. It is really fun family times. But back to your topic.

I always try to tell my children, it is not about winning, it is the fun that we had doing it. Sure, we all like to win, but it does not always happen that way. For the most part they are really good about it, except when my sons pony ate his 4th place ribbon LOL!

The thing that I liked about our last show was the judge let us know WHY and HOW she placed everybody. She then let us know what we could work on. I thought that was very nice that she explained the placings

[Drafty]

i didn't start showing until after i went to the show and saw how much fun everyone and there horses were having hten i wanted to and i haven't shown in almost 3 years i miss it to death haven't riddent since november 23rd 2006 my horse was put down on the 29th of november did our last ride to say the least one day i will get back into it and go to shows and riding again

[HoofPrints11]

I've learned a ton. The first is, how you did isn't going to matter in a year. Sure you can be competitive at Zone Finals, or whatever else. But in the long run, it won't really matter at most shows. Another lesson is that getting competitive gets you no where.

[Drafty]

that is so true and i am with you on that

[passe831]

For me I just find I ride that much better at a show and my pony is just that much better too. I love the feeling of being in the ring, riding a course at a new place, all dressed up. And although by having an incredibly green horse my first year I learn't to really appriciate every ribbon, I would have to admit I Like winning. Knowing my work has paid off and that someone else thinks I rode well. Now I'm ot one of those people who cry when they don't place because the next day, it doesn't matter. Its just a piece of fabric. If I screwed up I get a lesson, if the competition was just better than me, I push myself harder, if he judge just didn't like me... it was just a 1$ piece of fabric.