How do you recover from a bad ride at a horse show?

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Permalink Reply by MagsNMe on October 4, 2010 at 10:39pm

This year I had a show where I had 5 out of 6 dressage tests with squealing and bucking in them. Between coaches at the time. Only one from my barn there. Is this sounding like a horrific show, because it was?! But, I enjoy showing, I love my horse, so, after each ride, I looked at the good from each test, the improvements between tests. Had a chat with a friend, gave my horse a snuggle, shook it off and went home.

I started up with a new coach, talked about the problems we were having, went to a schooling show, worked out the squealing and bucking (was me of course), and continued with the show season.

I really think that having a good coach is THE most important thing, whether s/he is at the show with you or not. At the upper levels, of course, that's a different ball game, but for your average adult amateur, which I am, this is our hobby, it's supposed to be fun, and we aren't required to have all the answers. That's why we pay trainers, to help us and our horses.

My two bits, of course.

Permalink Reply by MagsNMe on October 5, 2010 at 6:16pm

Make it Jack Daniels and DuMaurier, and I'm totally showing with you!