Baby's First Big Show (Pin Oak) -- What Should I Know?

[coffeehag]

Hello! My OTTB and I are aiming at our first rated show this March (Pin Oak). As a kid, this wasn’t something even remotely attainable, and I have never even been to one so I have truly no clue what to expect…

This will be my OTTB’s first, too. He’s been cool as a cucumber at local shows, but we’re both ready to cut our teeth on something a little more challenging. We’re not going in expecting a single ribbon, just want to have fun.

On that note, would love any tips you have for first timers with young(ish) OTTBs who are late 20s adult ammys!

[MHM]

With any young horse, but especially the OTTB, it’s a good idea to just give them plenty of time to get bored with the whole thing on the first few outings. Particularly if you’re going to a bigger show for the first time with more hustle and bustle.

Take him out for a graze/hand walk/tack walk whenever you have a chance. Flat around in or near the show ring when things are relatively quiet. Let him just hang out by the ingate to soak in the atmosphere.

They need to get the idea that it’s not that exciting, even if it’s a new setting.

If you don’t usually ride with multiple horses in the ring, it’s a good idea to try to do so a few times before the show. Otherwise the concept of the flat class could be a surprise for him if there are a lot in it.

I remember showing an OTTB in his first flat class, and when we lined up at the end, he looked at the other horses like he was thinking, Why is everybody else following me into the middle of the ring?? Lol.

Good luck at the show!

[ThreeWishes]

First ! Good luck ! Breathe and above all … have fun. What are you entering ? Do you have good guidance (coach) at the show?

[coffeehag]

We’ve done shows with a good number of pairs in the flat classes and he seems unbothered by that. We’re planning on doing a schooling show at a big venue a few weeks before to help as well. Previously he’s legitimately fallen asleep in his stall at three-day shows lol.
Thank you! I’m hoping even hacking around will help.

[coffeehag]

Yes! My trainer will be there. I think we’re honestly just going to wind up doing the long stirrup, which feels moderately embarrassing but you have to start somewhere!

[ThreeWishes]

Oh listen the long stirrup in our show series has some super nice horses. It’s split into two divisions it has so many entries ! Mostly what I see are older (30’s plus) adult riders with young horses returning to the ring or younger riders on been there done that steadies. I hope you have the most amazing show!!! Please report back!! With pictures !

[Ponyplusaninch]

For all horses but OTTBs especially, try and keep as much of a routine as you possibly can! That helps make everything “normal” and “boring” because they know exactly what to expect and when to expect it. So if you typically handwalk for half an hour at midday, try to make that part of his regular schedule. Feed times–I know it can get bonkers at shows but hopefully you or trainer has good help that can ensure meal times happen when meal times are supposed to normally happen.

I have one that notoriously loves a predictable routine and, although he can now cope somewhat better when we break that routine, he really does his best work/is mentally at his best when the routine he knows is adhered to.

[MHM]

@coffeehag

I think we’re honestly just going to wind up doing the long stirrup, which feels moderately embarrassing but you have to start somewhere!

With any young horse, the most important thing is to make sure they have a positive experience so they build confidence. Don’t worry about the division at all! If you’re qualified to do it according to the class specs, don’t give it a second thought.

[CBoylen]

Make sure you have gone through all the boring stuff with your trainer so there are no surprises. Ie microchip, horse registration, proof of 6mo flu rhino vaccination. Double check the legality of your supplements. Pay attention if you need to give any meds within a week of the show (or meds with longer withdrawal times in the meantime). If you are doing just one show you can do a nonmember show pass, but only if your trainer is signing as trainer. If you are signing as trainer you have to do a membership and your Safesport. These are the things that come up for my people that are used to local shows. And now he needs to wear his number any time he’s out too.
The great thing about an ottb is they have seen all the things. The water truck and golf carts and porta potties don’t offer the same challenges as they do to sheltered babies at their first big show.

[MHM]

Also, has he been braided yet? If not, maybe just put in a few braids a few times so he understands that process. Especially if somebody else will be braiding him.

[coffeehag]

Ah this is brilliant candidly I forgot about a lot of this!

[coffeehag]

Ahhh no he hasn’t. This is a good call!

[Limerick]

I hope it is a wonderful experience and no shame in doing Long Stirrup. Build his confidence and yours and show the young ‘uns how your Go Pony to Show Pony is a fancy Hunter!

I am probably twice your age and so excited to get my daughter’s OTTB into the Long Stirrup ring this year.

[MHM]

If somebody else is braiding him, just give that person a heads up that he is new at it so they allow a little extra time.

And maybe ask that person if they want to pull his mane so it’s just the way they like it, or if they have a preference regarding the length of it.

[clanter]

@MHM

With any young horse, the most important thing is to make sure they have a positive experience so they build confidence. Don’t worry about the division at all! If you’re qualified to do it according to the class specs, don’t give it a second thought.

Fully agree, we had a five month old weanling delivered to us at our breeds national show where there were 1300 plus horses. He came direct from a North Dakota ranch. We thought since he was There he should have the chance to be exposed to the experience. There was a in hand class that did not require prior qualification that we entered him in to be in the ring with 25 or so aged horses that had many years of being at these events. Really was just hoping to keep him from exploding.

He did the whole thing without a second thought, I guess he just thought it was fun.

(to our surprise he won the division against 36 head stallions/gilding/mares, the ribbon he won had to have a knot tied in it as it drug the ground and all the other stuff was full horse sized)

here is the lad before he entered the big ring to show off his winnings

He is now a long yearling measures at 14.3h, he is as good as his brother was maybe better

[paintedpony]

I suggest you make it known to others that your horse is a newbie. Small acts of kindness will often be delivered when this is known. It might be an offer to ride alongside in warm up, or something as simple as yielding slightly in a flat class, or choosing to position themselves and their Steady Eddie beside you/moving their first timer down the line. You might not be aware, but choices will be made.

[Jo]

My only advice is to have a GREAT time and buy the pics! Everyone loves Pin Oak!

[ATXmom]

There are a number of adults in the long stirrup and it is quite competitive at the Texas shows. I do get you though! At my daughter’s first show back (after 10 years of not showing) with her baby horse she did the long stirrup and was moderately embarrassed, as well, lol! It is a good safe division to start and should give your baby a good first experience.

I think long stirrup is in the indoor arena during Pin Oak (it is during the other shows at GSWEC), if it rains the arena will be very loud! That can be scary for a baby - I know it was for ours!

[coffeehag]

I am a smidge nervous about the indoor, not because of the rain but simply because our last time at an indoor show he bolted (see past posts lol). I’d like to attend to give him the “big show” experience beforehand.

@PaintedPony I tend to be overcommunicative by nature (a byproduct of being anxious, I fear!), but do you suppose in this situation braiding a green ribbon into his tail is a good idea?

@MHM that’s a marvelous idea, I’m thinking I might try to braid him at home before we go just to give him the experience.

[paintedpony]

Visual indicators are never a bad idea.

Sadly, my sense is that only the red ribbon is well recognized. I fear that those who know what a green ribbon means will identify without needing the visual and those who do not know the meaning are the ones who most need the information. Please tell me I am wrong as my glass to often seems half empty. I am becoming a curmudgeon.