Tame Your Horse Show Nerves

be intimidating but it can help to come up with a rhyme to remember the order of the jumps and take a photo of the course map so you can study it before you go in for your round.
If you have the chance its extremely helpful to walk the course on foot. Emma likes to go down to the ring a few horses before her stadium round to watch a few rides and make sure she knows where shes going. Even if youre the first in your division watch a few rounds from another level to get an idea of how the course rides such as a noticing a tricky turn.
No one is perfect says Emma. You shouldnt be embarrassed if you have a stop rail fall or make a mistake! Youre there to have fun and all you can do is try your best smile and pat your horse when youre done.
Riley agrees.
We are riding 1200pound animals with a mind of their own so sometimes things might not go as planned. But thats OK! Everyone has their off days. If the show didnt go well look at it as a training experience and take that home.
Everyone has their off dayseven your horse! If the show doesnt go as planned look at it as a great training experience. Photo by Tom McGintyShutterstock
Coach Becky advises you not to focus on the small stuff.
You cant control how others do and you cant control if your horse decides not to play that day. All you can do is ride your best!
Win or lose horse show days are like a field trip with your barn friends and horses so make the most of it and remember to have fun.
The most important part of showing is not the fancy ribbons or the score on the test but the experience and being able to spend it with such an amazing partner says Riley.