[DunLegend]

I know my horse can rock the ring. In fact, I just got back from a ride and he was so good. Sure, he has some itty issues (dropping shoulder, head set is a tad high...little things) he can easily do a walk/jog class.

But I always get so freaked out right before the class that he just doesn't have confidence in my..so he freaks.

I have a schooling show tonight...my sister is convinced she can do a w/j/l with him..gah it's not really her horse to show. I just agree to it to shut her up....

I don't know....I'd just like to ride him myself. But my parents would just like to see him get some ribbons...with whoever...so we can sell him faster. I'm more interested in getting us as a team working right....ribbons don't matter.

So..any suggestions?

[rose1081]

I kind of know how you feel, I have my first show coming up, i know if my friend rode my horse, they would probably get ribbons. placed higher than I will riding my horse. she is a better rider and can get the horse going better.

i guess if your nerves are the problem then you have to figure how to control that. do you know what it is which freaks you out? is it always that you are rushing ot get there and end up with not enough time to prepare? or just being in front of lots of people? if you can relax, maybe after this time, seeing how things go when soemone else takes over, you might relax more? what is it that worries you?

[jackiesbabyjet]

I have the same problem. My gelding is a 20k plus mover in hunter under saddle, but I don't have the confidence to show him in it. I'm a really good rider in WP but HUS I suck at it.
I wish shows weren't so much work, like getting dressed,getting the horse ready and all the nerves when your showing against top riders.
Now I have a reason not to show because it would cost me over 1000 to even take my horse to a show to show him.

[shyxpony]

You could try something like Bach's Rescue Remedy. It doesn't taste that great (it's not bad though, kind of... herbal-y) but it's worked pretty good for me. I used to get SO nervous that I was shaking and felt sick before I went in the ring. I loved showing though so I was determined to work through it, and I've been showing for five years now. Obviously now I have way more experience and I don't really get nervous anymore, just REALLY excited. I try to make my nervous energy into excited energy, and then channel that into just really trying my hardest in the ring. Think about just riding the same way you do at home, and at home, maybe see if you can do a mock show with a buddy and have someone else call out the gaits. Then you & your buddy just pretend like you're in the show ring. It's good practice. It's also good to get pratice riding in front of people, so it's easier when you're in a class. My barn is a BIG barn and if I go during the afternoon there's usually 6 or 7 people riding and about 10 people just wandering around (parents, trainers, etc.) so I get plenty of practice in front of people and that's VERY helpful. I could probably give better suggestions if I knew exactly what made you nervous - the people watching, riding in a big group of horses... ?

The more shows you go to, the less nervous you'll get! Know that you're not alone, I think everyone gets at least a little nervous before they go into the show ring.

[DunLegend]

Ok so just got back..

We were too late to enter the walk/jog class and I wasn't ready for w/j/l (although the sr. horse had zero entries...darn missed it). Basically the reason showing is pain is all of the idiots....the ones who walk their horse right into yours or cut you off. It's especially bad for a horse like mine who can get easily flustered....

I asked my mom if maybe I could take my horse to weekly lessons for a month with my old trainer...she'll know what we need. Maybe some group lessons too...I think that'd help.

Darn stupid people. I hope that when I FINALLY get to go to an AQHA show that they're not all idiots like at open and 4-H shows.

[jackiesbabyjet]

Originally Posted by DunLegend

Ok so just got back..

We were too late to enter the walk/jog class and I wasn't ready for w/j/l (although the sr. horse had zero entries...darn missed it). Basically the reason showing is pain is all of the idiots....the ones who walk their horse right into yours or cut you off. It's especially bad for a horse like mine who can get easily flustered....

I asked my mom if maybe I could take my horse to weekly lessons for a month with my old trainer...she'll know what we need. Maybe some group lessons too...I think that'd help.

Darn stupid people. I hope that when I FINALLY get to go to an AQHA show that they're not all idiots like at open and 4-H shows.

EXCITALLY... I hate to say it but there are alot of idiots at open shows...
AQHA are super hard so be ready for the competion.
Ive showin for 8years on paint and AQHA state shows and I'm still a nervous ninny.
Can you upload a video of your horse for me to see him move?

[~*GOJUMP*~]

Originally Posted by jackiesbabyjet

EXCITALLY... I hate to say it but there are alot of idiots at open shows...
AQHA are super hard so be ready for the competion.
Ive showin for 8years on paint and AQHA state shows and I'm still a nervous ninny.
Can you upload a video of your horse for me to see him move?

Not true, not true, not true! I think they are at every show.

Unfortunately, you just have to take the good riders with the bad. And you just learn to ignore those s.tupid i.diots and stay OUT OF THEIR WAY....and even that is pretty d.ang hard. But, go ride/school when there aren't a lot (or any) people in the ring-even if that means schooling at night. And as far as warming up before you show, well that's a little harder to stay away from the i.diots. But you'll learn to deal with them.

I promise, I know where you are coming from. I've found myself BAWLING in the middle of a schooling/warmup ring because I've got crazy riders coming at me from all different directions, and I just have no clue what to do. I think we should all learn to have proper ring manners, and the ones that don't care and are idiots are normally old, so I guess we can just wait until they get too old to show! haha. I guess there's not much to do about them, huh?