Welcome to Trainer Tuesday! Each week we ask trainers a question and gather their answers for you. These trainers have a range of experience, backgrounds, and focus points of their programs, so the answers have as much variation as you would expect and also probably much more similarity.
This week’s question posed is: What is something people don’t get embarrassed of at a show that they should?
Here are their answers:
“Bad sportsmanship. Towards their child, towards their horse, towards other competitors, towards the judges. This is a total “ick” to me (to quote the youth) we are so fortunate to be able to be here with these wonderful animals that do so much for us for what is supposed to be FUN.” -Serah Vogus
Read more Trainer Tuesday Responses from Serah here.
“Tacky riding apparel & equipment” -Julie Winkel
Read more from Julie and listen to her on The Plaidcast here.
“As discussed last week, there are so many variables at a horse show you cannot control which can lead to momentary feelings of embarrassment. However, the things you can control should be routinely practiced, demonstrated, and a source of tremendous pride! If these items are done thoughtfully and properly, you can avoid embarrassing yourself and your team at a horse show:
– Your preparation – the rehearsals are done, the performance is now! Are you prepared? Is your alarm clock set for an appropriate arrival time? Do you know how and when to walk your course? Do you know what the lines ride and what questions the track is asking? Have you watched a few trips? Did you see the inside turn? What number looks best in the bending line? Do you know where you are on the stand-by list? Have you chatted with your trainer (at the appropriate time) about the plan for your trip(s)? Are you at the warmup ring and ready to start schooling when your trainer arrives from another ring? Did your horse come out today feeling good in his body and comfortable doing his job? What flatwork needs to be done so you can present the best horse you can today?
– Your presentation – Are your breeches and show coat well-fitting and clean? Are your boots polished? Is your ring bag close at hand with your spurs and crop? Is your horse immaculately clean? Are your horse’s braids straight and lovely with appropriate colored yarn? Is your tack put on correctly and also perfectly clean? Does your saddle pad fit your saddle and stay put as you flat and jump around?
– Your decorum – Are you kind and respectful to horse show staff, teammates, your training team, grooming staff, and fellow competitors? Are you visibly grateful and rewarding of your horse and their efforts? Do you conduct yourself with grace and humility as the class or division winner? Do you conduct yourself with grace and humility in the face of mistakes? (If not, see last week’s Trainer Tuesday!) Did you show up with open mindedness, ready to learn and grow today?
– Lastly, are you a *good client* by making your trainer’s 80+ hour horse show week just a little easier? Are your memberships and SafeSport current and up to date? Did you register your lease or ownership transfer with USEF & USHJA? Did you bring your braiding and horse show office checks prior to Saturday? Do you communicate with your trainer during business hours only, say between 7am-6:30pm? (Just because we’re up hacking hunters at dawn and tucking in your horses at night check, does not mean we’re reachable for non-emergent questions at all hours!) Did you say thank you and demonstrate gratitude to your team who lovingly supports and helps you manifest your big horse show dreams? The way to the winner’s circle requires exacting standards of excellence, unyielding attention to detail, and the ability to laugh at yourself (a little) so you enjoy the journey with your horse and your team!” –Claire Gordon-Neff
Read more from Claire here.
“There are two things that I see quite often that riders should be entirely prepared for, and if they are not, should think twice about before their next competition.
The first is confirming everything on your checklist of supplies needed (and double checking it twice) is packed and ready for your competition. There is never any guarantee that another rider or tack store nearby will have what you are missing. I always suggest you have a printed list and use that each time you are packing for a horse show. Rushing at the last minute to find something you forgot only adds stress that could have been avoided.
The second is to make sure that you are mentally prepared for the good, the bad, and everything in between. There is never the promise that everything will go as planned. Even the most prepared and seasoned riders have days when everything does not go quite right and that is A-OK!! My motto is you can never know it all….there is always something new to learn. Take the missed lead change, long spot, and or add down the line as an opportunity to learn. No trainer, and certainly not your horse, wants to see bad sportsmanship ringside. Pat your horse, keep your negative emotions in check, and be grateful that you have the opportunity to be in the show ring. Everything will be ok and there is always another day!” -Meaghan Kearns
Read more from Meaghan here.
