| Just like any other social occasion, attendees at a | | | | other riders are schooling over jumps (jumping |
| horse show are expected to maintain certain | | | | practice), be conscious of staying out of their way. |
| standards of behavior. For the safety and enjoyment | | | | Anticipate where they will land and make sure you and |
| of everyone involved, both you and your horse should | | | | your horse aren't in the landing zone at the wrong time. |
| follow established horse show etiquette. Behaving well | | | | Be a good sport. Horse shows are supposed to be |
| at a horse show comes naturally for some people. | | | | fun. If you don't win, don't be dour about it. Throwing |
| These folks naturally look out for others. Most people, | | | | ribbons on the ground and loud, angry comments is the |
| however, need to take a look at some guidelines for | | | | height of bad form. Losing your temper only succeeds |
| good manners. Here's a list of ways you can show | | | | in makes you look bad to everyone watching you. |
| good etiquette at a horse show: | | | | Some Horse Handling Guidelines |
| Give the right-of-way. If you're walking your horse | | | | Your horse doesn't know much about human social |
| through a show, keep an eye out for spectators and | | | | niceties, so you're responsible for making sure he |
| always give them the right of way. Remember that | | | | behaves. Keep the following in mind when handling |
| your horse could potentially injure someone if he isn't | | | | your horse at a show: |
| under control. Not every spectator is horse savvy. | | | | Tie a red ribbon on horses that might kick. If your |
| Look out for other riders. When riding in a class with | | | | horse has a tendency to kick at other horses when |
| others, be aware of where other horses are and | | | | they get too close, tie a red ribbon at the base of his |
| avoid getting in their way. Also, be sure to keep a safe | | | | tail to warn others to keep a distance. Likewise, if you |
| distance from the other horses. Two to three feet is a | | | | see a horse wearing a red ribbon, keep your horse far |
| good guideline. | | | | away from the horse's back end. |
| Be aware of your surroundings. Know your horse and | | | | Give your mischievous horse some space. If you have |
| his behavior, and be aware of anything in your | | | | a horse who likes to pin his ears at other horses and |
| surroundings that may frighten or excite him. The | | | | nip at them, keep him far away from the others. This |
| safety of everyone around you depends on your | | | | courtesy also applies when he is tied at the trailer or |
| being able to control your horse in under every | | | | just standing about in between classes. |
| circumstance. | | | | Unload and load properly. Please don't even bother |
| Keep the in-gate clear. Don't congregate or starting | | | | taking your horse to a show unless he easily and |
| mounting or grooming your horse at the entrance of | | | | willingly gets in and out of a horse trailer. A horse who |
| the arena, called the in-gate. Leave the area free and | | | | flies out of a trailer backwards when he unloads is a |
| clear for other riders to enter and exit. | | | | hazard to all around him. Fighting to get your horse |
| Warm up right. When riding in the warm-up arena at a | | | | back into the trailer at the end of the day only makes |
| show, ride left-shoulder-to-left-shoulder to avoid | | | | things difficult for those around you. People may try to |
| crashing into riders who are going the opposite way. In | | | | avoid the chaos, but may find themselves innocently |
| other words, stay in the right lane of the horse traffic. If | | | | involved in the cross-fire between you and your horse. |