Horses lend us the wings we lack.


In riding a horse we borrow freedom.

The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.







Saturday, August 23, 2014

the unwritten rules of showing

As a spinoff from a recent article I read on ...thought it would be fun to put together my own unwritten rules about showing and what I have learned (the hard way) about showing...

- check and re-check to make sure you have all your tack - girth and bridle especially, I am embarrassed to say I have forgotten my girth more than once

- always pack a pair of rubber boots - even if it's not raining, the morning dew will soak through your paddock boots. Nothing is worse than having wet feet all day.

- always bring an extra coat for yourself and an extra blanket your horse. Show nerves will make it seem like it's 10 degrees cooler

- keep a copy of your dressage test in your pocket, your nerves will make you forget everything you thought you knew

- watch the riders before you perform, it will help you remember your test/order of your jumps

- the cross country course jumps are bigger on foot than on horse

- bring a pitcrew, if you bring your husband, bring a back up pitcrew. I brought my husband, and lost him in between dressage and stadium only to find him at the neighbours BBQ because he got hungry (true story)

- always bring your own food, don't assume there will be a food cart... that's why I lost my husband to the BBQ

- if your pitcrew critiques you on your riding... tell them to ride it themselves next time. It always looks easier from the ground (that's a good thing, but really your pitcrew should be your support crew not your critque crew, critiquing is for at home)

- be nice to your pitcrew, remember they are there to help you, they have given their whole day to support you, if your attitude sucks you will be attending the next show alone

- don't worry if things don't go your way, that's all a part of showing. If you can't accept that your day probably won't be perfect, don't show















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