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Im might enter my first horse show2007-11-24 21:17:38

EDIT: OFCOURSE you have a chance. Ride your horse like you normally do, there is no way to determine or change the attitude or a "bad day" with your horse. Who knows, he might surprise the heck out of you or, be the biggest attitude case you have ever seen. Its all part of the game and only experience can reduce these issues, if you keep it positive! JUST BE YOURSELF, don't change anything. If you try to act differently to please another person... that is where you are not being like a "pro". Experienced showman take what comes, its the way you handle a bad situation that makes the difference, not how well you do at "scoring" or "look", thats just the icing on the cake for your hard work!

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The person who gives me lessons always tell me to relax, breath, and smile. Accept I don't actually know if it works because I've never been to a show before LOL.

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ok, chances are you are entering a small saddle club show. everyone else there is going to be just as nervous as you are. all the classes you are entering are something that you and your horse have done at least a million times. having taught students and shown myself, the best advice i can give you is to do it just like you do it at home. your horse will take his cues from you, so if your nervous, he will be too, so give him the familiarity of doing it just like you have a thousand times before in training. good luck and enjoy, youll be fine!

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Actually, the relax, breathe and smile thing really works! The most important thing thing is to just have fun. Don't treat it as a competition, treat it just like another lesson, because really, that's all it is. The only difference is at the end, there are ribbons. I've been in shows for many years, and I remember how nervous I was for my first one. I was doing a beginners Walk/Trot class and a Trot Poles class. On my trot poles, my horse started to canter, and jump over the poles. I got sixth place in the class, with only 6 riders, but I still had fun, and still had a great experience. With every show, I got better and more relaxed. The more you relax, the more your horse will relax. Don't worry about if anyone is better or worse than you, just pretend they're all part of your lesson. Enjoy it, have fun, and don't let anyone put pressure on you just because they want to win. In the end, all that matters is you did your best, had fun and learned lots! If you relax and enjoy yourself, the smile will come naturally! Have fun and good luck! :o)