I started riding seriously for the FIRST time in my life last year at age 39. Under the direct tutelage of a dressage trainer I have begun the painfully slow climb toward becoming a competent dressage rider.
Now, one year later I own my first horse, a wonderful 8yo draft cross mare, and I THINK we are ready to try our hand at a few local shows. Neither she or I have show experience and I’m really nervous about signing up for one! I have never competed in anything so I think that’s part of my nerves.
I don’t ride at a “show barn” although my trainer has extensive experience. When I ask if she thinks we’re ready to give a training level show a try she says, “definitely” like its no big deal (which I’m sure it isn’t for most people). How did you, my fellow equestrians, know that you and your horse were ready?
I think doing this for the first time as an adult is part of my challenge. It’s so hard to put ourselves out there as true novices at this stage in life.
Anyhow, any advice on getting my head right for this particular endeavor would be greatly appreciated.
UPDATE -
Thanks for all this wonderful advice. I had a great heart to heart with my trainer this evening before our lesson. She gave me very similar advice, told stories of some of her more memorable show distasters and advised that no matter what happens, keep smiling and laughing the whole way through. First and foremost, it should be fun for both us. If I’m tense, that will transfer right through to my horse. Then, after our usual lesson, she told me we were going to run through the test. She called out as we rode. I had no idea what test we were riding until we were finished. We nailed out training level 3 right out of the gate! It wasn’t a show environment but it went a long way to boosting my confidence. 
If your trainer says you are ready trust them. To get your self prepped practice everything at home. Braining/riding the test/figuring out warm up etc…
Do you have a local or schooling show circuit where you can have an easy first outing? Have you been to shows as a spectator to get an idea of the flow? Has your horse traveled to other places at all? Your trainer might be able to suggest a “field trip” to another local farm to help you both get your feet wet before you add the stress of a show experience. I’m a huge list maker, so I make a list of my needs and the horse’s needs in terms of packing.
Keep in mind that being nervous is part of it for almost everyone. I’ve been competing since leadline when I was tiny-- and I still get nervous every time I go in the ring or the startbox or down the center line. Start small, and keep your expectations low for the beginning (stay in the ring and remember the test) and you’ll be okay.
Yep, practice, practice practice the test(s) at home, so you know them inside and out. Then you won’t be worrying about not knowing them or missing a section. And, you’ll be a step ahead of almost everyone else, LOL!!
Then, view this as a test, you are testing yourself to see what you are weak on in this environment. You’ll love it.
Getting nervous is normal but you sound ready, so just prepare by knowing your tests, thinking about everything you need to do before trotting down centerline (eg, braiding, loading, getting you dressed, checking in, tacking up, schooling, etc. plus taking bathroom/food breaks, etc. Figure out how much time all of that will take and then come in with a plan: I need to be loaded and pulling out at 8:05 to make it there by 9am, then it should take 15 min to check in, 25 min to get dressed and tacked up, etc… Maybe even practice some of your plan. The more you are on auto-pilot, the better you will be.
Also, think about why you want to show. Is it to stress yourself out? I wouldn’t think so. Is it to see where you are in your training? Maybe. To show off your newly acquired riding skills? Maybe. To show off your horse. Maybe. Just for something fun to do? To give you a goal? Maybe and Maybe. Etc.
Remember that it is only a show. No one except you (and your trainer) cares about how you do. The judge doesn’t care (although she/he want you to do well); other riders don’t care (although they probably don’t want you to do as well as they do); your horse doesn’t care (other than it being a new environment and all that goes with that). You need to make it a pleasant experience for both you and your horse. Then accomplish the why you are there. Bad scores teach. Meeting new people is fun. Having a clean horse is nice. Riding a good test is rewarding. Etc. Your future riding is NOT dependent on how you score. It’s one test, on one day. And even if you don’t make it down centerline (b/c horse or you are too nervous, mess up with timing, etc), it will still be a learning experience.
Bottom line: prepare and keep it in perspective in the grand scheme of things.
Can you sign up just to school at the shows in your area? That’s what I did with my young horse who’d never been to a show. And prior to her, I’d only been in one. It’s a great way to get familiar with the environment, for both horse and rider.
If your trainer can be at the showgrounds to coach you while there, for a lesson in the warmup and competition rings, even better. You get to wear your regular clothes, be on your own schedule, explore the show environment, and pay less than the class fees. I really recommend doing that first. If it works out logistically in your area.
You’re not in any hurry, so it’s fine to take small steps.
When I have a horse that’s never been to a show before, sometimes I will pay a schooling fee to go to the show grounds to ride but not compete. Why not try that for you? I’ve had horses that I never even rode, just took to the show and hand grazed to help them feel comfortable.
Or, go early, warm up and see how you feel. Is your horse listening? Are you able to breathe :)? If you are stressed out, scratch your class and chalk it up to experience and go home knowing that you have taken the first step.
Always remember that a dressage test is just four or five minutes of your life and no one is going to “judge” you (except the judge) and believe me, those judges have seen some pretty exciting training level tests.
It is supposed to be fun. And most of the time, it works out just fine. So what if your circles aren’t entirely round for your first test, or if your transitions aren’t bang on the money. Everyone needs to start somewhere.
My $0.02 FWIW:
*Practice your test movements at home, but break them up. Don’t practice the test too much all together so that your horse doesn’t “memorize” or anticipate what you’re going to ask for next.
*Memorize your test. Walk it out in your arena, living room, backyard, whatever works for you. You can have a reader if you think it will help, but truthfully, I’ve never found it overly helpful and you have to make sure that they’re a GOOD reader and that they have the timing right of when to read what. The more you know your test inside out, the more confident and comfortable you’ll be.
*Is there another farm nearby where you can take your horse to school off the property? This will give you an idea of how she is away from home. Do that as many times as need until you feel comfortable.
*Take your horse to a show, but don’t actually show. Get yourself acquainted with the routine and how your horse is going to respond in a show environment without the stress of going in and having to do a test. Seeing for yourself how your horse reacts in this environment beforehand can help prepare you for the next time without blowing the money on show fees. You’ll have to pay a grounds fee, number fee, and maybe a stall fee (usually only if you’re doing a recognized event where they offer stabling), but it takes a lot of the pressure off! Another option is taking them to a one or two day hunter show just to let them hang out. Hunter shows are WAY crazier than dressage shows are and it’ll be good experience for them. If you’re comfortable enough to ride, hop on, and just sit ringside for a while watching classes. Let them get used to hustle and bustle and learn that it’s all no big deal.
*Practice braiding, clipping, etc. at home well before you ever leave for a show. It’ll make it easier to prep in the future.
*It might sound crazy, but the week or two before the show, ride in your show clothes (or clothes that are similar in feel) as much as possible. Boots, shirt, breeches, belt, etc. You want those clothes to feel as though you wear them all the time. It’ll also give you an opportunity to check out whether or not anything doesn’t feel right BEFORE you get into a test situation and give you the time to replace it.
Can you walk, trot, canter, make transitions about once every time around the areal, stay in the gait you want and on the correct lead 90% of the time; and have you have ridden your horse away from home a couple times without anything scary happening? Then you are probably ready for a training level show or schooling show. – You might not be ready to get top scores, but you and the horse should both be able to have a positive experience in the ring and see where you are score-wise. For your first show, don’t have any goals or expectations score - wise. Just aim for good calm behavior in the ring.
Have you been to watch a show before? That will be very helpful. Try to get to one that is similar to whatever will be your first show (i.e. schooling show vs recognized show.) If you watch a recognized show, DO NOT be intimidated by all the horses and riders who look so much better than you. Everyone LOOKS much better than they are once they get all braided, groomed, and dressed up. Believe it or not, even you will look like that once you get dressed up!!
I strongly recommend memorizing your tests ahead of time. If you feel like memorizing two tests will be confusing, then memorize the one you want to focus on, and ride through it at home a couple times without a reader. You can still use a reader on the day of the show if you want, for extra insurance.
Make a plan (consult your trainer if necessary) for how much time you will need to tack-up, when to get on, how long to warm-up and what to do in warm-up. You might even want to write down the plan. And then STICK TO IT. Don’t get tacked up half an hour earlier than you need to because you are afraid of being late.
Undershoot your ability the first time out. Enter Intro A. Practice it at home a whole bunch.
On show day, your horse will hardly break a sweat, but I promise the nerves/adrenaline/etc. of one ride will have you pretty tired.
[QUOTE=Highflyer;8608542]
Keep in mind that being nervous is part of it for almost everyone. I’ve been competing since leadline when I was tiny-- and I still get nervous every time I go in the ring or the startbox or down the center line. Start small, and keep your expectations low for the beginning (stay in the ring and remember the test) and you’ll be okay.[/QUOTE]
If you are very nervous, I find even lower expectations are good. Success = starting and ending on top of the horse.
Second show you can worry about staying on pattern! 
Sounds like you are ready. Go out there with the intent to enjoy the experience of a nice day out with your horse, with a ride thrown in for good measure.
Give yourself plenty of time and remember it isn’t an Olympic Trial.
As my old friend Connie used to say, “No one threw up or fell off, so it was a successful day :)”
You have gotten so much great advice!
Remember that every one has had a bad test, every one. It is ok to make mistakes no one will think less of you or your horse.
I think Showing will always make me nervous but I do some prep to make sure there is no additional stress.
Make a list of things you need to bring and bring extras if possible (extra bridle or lead rope just in case)
I like to give my self extra time for every thing. Then if something takes longer than planned you are not rushed once you get to the show grounds.
I like to practice the whole test at home on my horse, others will say not to do this but for me it is necessary.
But most of all breath and have fun, Horse shows are a great way to get you and your horse all gussied up, meet new friends and have new adventures!
OP I just focus on each and every movement, turn, transition in individual chunks, rather than focusing on the test as a whole. That way I get so far in my ‘zone’ that I forget I’m in the ring, or that there are people watching. It’s just the horse and I in there.
Lots of good advice so far. Everyone gets nervous, but it certainly gets easier the more you show. Just like anything else, its a matter of comfortability and confidence.
I’d recommend going to a show (preferably at the same level/type that you plan on entering) and just watch. Watch the flow of the warm-up, the pacing of the tests, and yes, scope out the ‘competition.’ What you will find are that people and horses make tons of mistakes and they still live to survive the day. No one gets laughed out of the arena.
Since your horse is green too, its worth taking her off-property to a show but to not show, but ride in the schooling arena so you get a good idea of the hustle and bustle. Most shows allow you to do this, but you will have to pay a small ($30 or so) grounds fee.
When it comes time for you to show (hooray!) remember that you paid money to be there - for that 5 minutes that arena is YOURS and you can do whatever you please in it! haha I was once riding a horrible test, but I just figured that I paid my fee and if my horse was going to have a meltdown, well, everyone was going to watch it. That thought helped relieve the performance anxiety. Shows are for learning, not for ribbons!
I consider myself to be a self confident person. But put me in a show and I’m shaking in my boots! I really have to remind myself to breath. Like, literally, when I ride, my head goes, “Breath in…breath out…breath in…breath out.” Once, I got so into my groove that I did 2 twenty meter circles back to back and when the judge rang the bell, I honestly had no idea why. (Side note, I still got a 68%!) It’s often said that you shouldn’t school your horse over and over for the test but I think that depends on the horse. My quiet, lazy, trusty QH always was drilled on his test and I found that very helpful. My always guessing, always pushing, always rushing, Appy never got to know the test ahead of time. I really like advise of the previous poster that said it’s YOUR arena for the time you paid for it. I’m going to use that one myself next time! Good luck and enjoy your ride.
Great advice, and I’ll add my 2 cents.
The only way you’re going to feel comfortable riding tests in front of a judge is to ride tests in front of a judge. You WILL make mistakes. You will NOT ride as well as you ride at home. So what? The more you do it, the more confident you’ll become and the more you’ll ride like you ride at home.
I think the best thing you can do is have someone video tape your ride. And have a friend who is a good reader read your test. Why? First, it is great to have the voice of a friend read your test while you’re riding, even if you know your test (says the person who rode the same error TWICE while my test was read). Second, you will feel much while you’re riding…but when you sit down with your test and the video later on, I guarantee you’ll say “oh yea, there was no obvious lengthening there” or “oh yea, that really was a bad transition” or “oh yea, my horse really wasn’t very through” or “oh yea, I really was restricting with my hands”.
I used to scribe alot, and if a horse is truly melting down, or if a rider is truly nervous, the judge knows it and is sympathetic, especially at training level. So just go do it!
Lots of good advice. Find a groom that can help you with your horse. Somebody that can walk your horse around the grounds while you check in, pee break etc.
Learn what 45 seconds is so you do not panic when they ring the bell. Allow plenty of time to get ready, it is easier to slow down than speed up. Know how long you need to warm your horse up and what you want to accomplish in warm up.
Have somebody teach you warm up ring etiquette so that you can keep your focus on warming up and not worrying about how to act with the other horses warming up.
Have your groom have the test book with them so you can get a look at it to calm your nerves while waiting around.
Have a plan when you are riding around the ring before entering to set your horse up.
DO NOT worry about being nervous, everybody is if they are a sane person.
from years of scribing . . . .
Just my advise, take it for what it’s worth - when you do hear the bell, head toward A in a timely manner. don’t figure you can go down the long side again just because you have the time. Certainly if you need it, use it, after all you are renting the ring for 5 minutes : ) Judges, organizers, and starters like to keep the show on time and that can make a difference.
