| Getting ready for a successful show season requires | | | | appropriately. |
| months of intensive training and a big investment of | | | | Grooming For Success |
| time, effort, and dedication. It also means having the | | | | Oiling the horse riding equipment is only half the battle. |
| proper equipment, a well-groomed animal, and a plan | | | | The mount must look well groomed and properly |
| of action. As the rules change between show circuits, | | | | cared for as well. A good bath with lanolin soap |
| it is imperative that the current riding equipment and | | | | removes all the dirt and mud while creating a |
| apparel rules, grooming rules, and skills being judged are | | | | moisturizing effect. If their skin tends to dry out, there |
| known. There is no sense wasting time or money by | | | | are many quality products on the market that will |
| attending a show only to be summarily eliminated for | | | | condition and treat the problem. A dull coat can be |
| using the wrong tack or wearing the wrong colored | | | | improved quickly with a spray conditioner just before |
| show jacket. | | | | entering the ring. |
| Each style of riding has its own requirements. | | | | After bathing the horse, comb, pull, and braid the mane |
| Problems can easily be prevented by creating a | | | | and tail, depending upon the style of riding and the |
| checklist of items to be brought to each show. Be sure | | | | circuit requirements. Hooves should be cleaned, oiled, |
| to use the list during preparations. Arriving early also | | | | and polished to look their best. After ensuring that the |
| provides much needed time to get used to the facilities | | | | horse is properly groomed, be sure to maintain their |
| and to warm up properly. In case something turns up | | | | polished appearance with horse clothing that keeps |
| missing, or breaks, an early arrival can provide the time | | | | dust and dirt off. Many riders use various tricks to |
| needed to go and replace it before the event begins. | | | | keep their grooming efforts protected, but the best bet |
| Use The Right Horse Riding Equipment | | | | is simply to use high quality horse clothing and keep a |
| Using the proper horse riding equipment for each | | | | towel handy. |
| discipline is the first step in being prepared for a | | | | Warm Up And Unwind |
| successful show season. This is especially true for | | | | The worst thing you can do to both yourself and your |
| dressage and eventing riders. The horse riding | | | | mount is to ride into the show ring cold. A good |
| equipment must be clean and well fitting. Generally, it | | | | warm-up will loosen muscles, making them able to |
| looks best when it is all of the same color. The overall | | | | function optimally, and will provide both of you time to |
| appearance must be trim, elegant, and understated. | | | | get in sync with each other. Arriving at the show early |
| While bright colors will certainly attract the judge's | | | | will give you plenty of time to warm up and get used |
| attention, it may not be the best kind of attention. At | | | | to everything. Keeping a couple of treats in your |
| the same time, riders can certainly select horse riding | | | | pocket is another way to help your mount relax and |
| equipment and apparel that best suits the color of their | | | | enjoy attending shows. Staying hydrated will help both |
| mount. | | | | of you look and feel your best. |
| Horse riding equipment must be clean and well oiled, | | | | Prior to a show, prepare for dealing with strange |
| but a jumping class should never be attempted right | | | | environments by making a point of getting out and |
| after oiling the saddle. Once the tack is cleaned, keep it | | | | away from customary surroundings. Breaking away |
| covered. A blanket or a clean article of horse clothing | | | | from their normal comfort zone will help both of you to |
| works just fine to keep the dust and dirt off. To get an | | | | be relaxed and at your best in the show ring. |
| added boost this show season, take the time to see | | | | Shopping for the correct tack and keeping it well oiled, |
| what the judges are looking for. Observe other | | | | keeping your grooming efforts safe under protective |
| classes and take notes. If a particular judge appears to | | | | horse clothing, and staying relaxed in new |
| prefer dark leather and dark riding attire, take | | | | environments will all create an advantage this show |
| advantage of that information the next time they judge | | | | season. Looking and performing optimally is far easier |
| the class you are competing in by dressing | | | | when one is properly prepared for a winning season. |