Do you have any riding friends? Perhaps other students of your trainer who are not showing at that show? I have roped friends, other boarders and relatives into reading for me. But for that overall help it is best to have someone horsey. Friend and barn owner did that out of friendship. I did bribe one fellow boarder with free snacks and lunch…
Make your scribe happy - when you go around the arena before entering, tell the scribe your number.
Check in in with the ring steward when you get to warm up. They are your friend to help get you into the ring on time (unless you are super rude to them)
When you check in with the steward at the warmup ring, ask two questions: Is the arena running on time, and which horse you follow. Have her point them out Helps me know when to finish up and get ready to go to the competition arena. Remember the 45 sec between bell and you must enter at A is a LONG TIME. Practice at home how far you can go within that time. You will be surprised. Use that time well… some judges ring the bell as soon as they see you. Be prepared for that. Remember that if the arena is running ahead (due to scratches perhaps) you do NOT have to go early/before your time.
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great advice so far.
One small thing to add because it’s the type of small, silly thing that is easy to not know/forget:
I’m not sure where you’re located but it is summer and hot in much of the world. If coats are waived, remember to take your stock tie off too (if you’re wearing one). I don’t know the origin of the rule but you can’t wear a stock tie without your coat!
Good to know! I’m in Maryland so the heat and humidity can be FIERCE ! I also hate my stocktie, it’s too tight and the velcro grabs and little stray hairs that escape my hair net.
Something really basic: remember to eat and drink, for energy and concentration. Taking a few minutes to sit down and eat can be very useful in settling nerves and putting your head in the right place. You will perform better when hydrated.
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Fun for down time/test study/pre-ride meditation:
Get a super cheap rope hammock and hang it in your trailer. Instant private, shady place.
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Regarding jacket waiving : I’m always that person who ask for jackets to be waived. I go seek the TD early in the morning as I hate wearing my beautiful brown jacket. So far, I’ve never had one TD tell me no even if it was not that hot… It’s summer!
Bring folding chairs for downtime between classes.
A hat, extra sunglasses, and a change of clothes are a good idea during the summer. Keep your jacket and breeches in a coat bag until absolutely necessary.
I like to do two tests each day - lately I’ve been doing the same two test each day, once in the actual class and then a test of choice. I’ve found I can get alll my nerves out on the first test, and make significant (5%+) improvements on the second ride. I use shows as a training diagnostic, and I like to use the feedback I get. This strategy may not be for everyone.
Watch the FEI classes during your down time - so interesting and you can learn a lot.
You have 45 seconds to enter the ring and go down center line after the bell/whistle. Use it! Don’t suddenly rush and tighten up. Keep riding, find a good tempo, give Dobbin a nice pat on the neck and breathe out as you enter.
Know if your judge has a bell or a whistle. Usually there is a sign, especially if it is a multi-ring show. That will help you from being confused as to what to listen for.
I usually ask to have my whip measured before I enter - just in case.
Make sure your horse is used to strange gloved hands in his mouth - that was a surprise for little brown mare at her first show.
Keep your goals easy for this first show. It’s really nice to get a 70% and win your class, but let this first show be a good experience for you and the horse. My goal at my first rated show was to stay in the ring and don’t break in the canter. We stayed in the ring…and picked up the wrong lead. But hey - we stayed in the ring. The stakes got higher as I got more experience.
Do less in the warm-up than you would at home. It will take a while to dial in a good show warm-up, but keep it fairly simple and straightforward. You won’t fix anything in the warm up ring that you couldn’t fix at home, so don’t try.
Know what parts of the test are strong for your horses, and what parts are weaker. The first time you do the test, you’ll probably just try to get the pattern, but as you get more familiar, you can start to ride the test and figure out where you can half-halt, where you re-balance, where you need more leg, more seat, how to set up the corners, etc.
It’s just dressage - not brain surgery. It’s fun! Smile! Give your horse a big pat and hug after the last halt. Keep telling him how good he is all the way out the arena. It’s stressful for them, too.
Have fun! 
The owner of the horse I lease recommended doing the same test twice. Because, in her words, he likes shows but tends to go around like a giraffe the first time. Makes sense!
I generally do not tie in the trailer or on the trailer unless I have to, and then I do not hard tie. I prefer to hold my horse or get a stall. And when I hold them, I do ground work. I do ground work at home, and we do the exact same stuff at the show. I bring the rope halter, long lead, carrot stick (I know, I know) and everything. It gives her and me something to focus on. She knows the drill with rope work and ground work.
We’ll do our work on the grassy areas or in the lunging areas. I walk her EVERYWHERE. We stand and watch the classes together. I’ll hold her while I chat with people. We do this until she will move or stop if I change my body language, just like if we were doing it at home.
I try to get a stall at shows because giving her a chance to rest somewhere quiet helps with her stress.
My routine is usually:
3 hours before first class: Arrive and unload, check in. (unless I did this the night before)
2.5 if I have time, walk around and do some basic ground work. (or the night before if it’s a two day show)
2 hours before: groom/braid/tack/change/eat something quick. If you don’t braid, drop 45 minutes.
30 min: walk to warm-up
20 min: warm-up
0 min: showtime!
Untack and hand-graze
Little brown mare gets a nap and downtime while I get scores, review video with coach, and watch other tests
Then I change and get a nap/food.
2-3 hours before next class we do ground work/walking/hand grazing/watching.
45 min to next class: quick brush/tack up/change/fix hair/eat more food
30 min: walk to warm-up
15-20min: warm-up
0 min: class 2
I’ve found people are really friendly at most shows (at least around here) and in a pinch will hold your horse, tighten your girth, dust off your boots, etc.
You guys look great! Look 3 letters ahead in the ring - it will keep your eyes and head more up ANd make you think about your next movement - you can still look down your nose at his head if you need to. 
Interesting… coming from Eventing we all just tied to the trailer! Most of my shows have been very close (less than 45 mins away) so it’s sort of silly to pay for a stall (and I’m doing this all on a public school teachers salary!). He’s also a pretty bad weaver so I’m not sure a stall would be better to be honest. I did see that you can pay to have an extra horse so I was thinking of maybe bringing his mini horse companion to the shows that are far away.
Another strategy is to enter two tests and then decide when you get the times if you will ride both. Sometimes the rides are close together and you can go from one to the other with just a walk break in between. Other times you have time to dismount, each of you get a drink, wander around a bit and then get ready. But sometimes you get the 8:30 am and 3:45 pm times. Then you need to decide if you want to spend the whole day, and, if not, which ride suits you better!
