If I didn’t show solo I wouldn’t show! And that’s worth the stress of trailering. I’ve broken down with the horses. It sucks, but we’ve all lived. If I fall off and get sent to the hospital…maybe the horse shouldn’t have sent me to the hospital?
Do you drive to lessons currently? Maybe instead of starting by going to a show, start by hauling along to school or lesson. I used to not be very confident with driving the trailer and worked out into a larger and larger comfort zone of where I was willing to go.
Once of my things (since I have green horses) is to keep them inside the trailer and go to the bathroom when I arrive. I tack them inside the trailer until I trust them (and even then the oldest and most annoying horse is tacked on the trailer). We emerge from the trailer fully formed and ready to walk right into the ring, dusty boots be damned.
I quit eventing and show local hunters + hunt now, and I have never had an issue with friendly strangers videoing my rounds, tying back my martingale for the hack etc.