Heading to your first horse show can be an intimidating experience.

While a seasoned competitor might pull into the fairgrounds and not even bat an eye at the chaos that’s happening around them, a rider who is attending a show for the first time might become overwhelmed with what’s going on around them.

The barn I’m at has a lot of riders who are new to the world of showing. Here’s some of the advice the more seasoned riders offer our barn’s newer riders, who might feel nervous or overwhelmed heading into their first show.

Have a Plan

Your plan should start well before you pull into the parking lot of your show. It’s something that should start weeks, even months, before you attend an event.

First, you’re going to want to find a show series that is the best fit for yourself and your horse. If you prefer ranch horse events, look at the showbill ahead of time to make sure they offer ranch classes. You don’t want to get to a show and realize that they only offer Western pleasure classes.

Then, if possible, head to one of those shows without your horse to get an idea of how they’re ran.
This is the time to get a feel for the kind of riding attire is needed. Does this show series require long-sleeve collared shirts similarly to a breed show or is it more casual? Do riders under the age of 18 need to wear a helmet? Each series or association is going to have its own set of rules.

Does the facility have stalls, or will you be tying your horse to the trailer all day? If you’re tying to the trailer, is there an area that you can park in that has more shade on those hot sunny days? Is there water on the property or do you need to bring your own?

Look the Part

It doesn’t take thousands of dollars or sparkly outfits to look the part in the show pen. In fact, you can do a lot on a budget. First, find a color that complements you and your horse and stick with it. Neutral colors, like black or brown, are always a great option because they pair well with all horses. A fitted button-down shirt free of wrinkles is going to stand out just as much as a custom show shirt covered in sparkles.

And don’t forget about your hat! Your hat can last a long time if you take care of it. Keep it in a hat can when you’re not wearing it. And make sure that you’re getting it cleaned and reshaped as needed. When it’s not in use, keep it in a temperature-controlled environment instead of leaving it in the trailer, so that it will hold its shape for a longer time.

When it comes to your tack, the judges shouldn’t care about how much silver your saddle has on it. But what they will care about is how clean the saddle is and if it your halter or bridle is fitted properly. A couple days before the show, give yourself some time to sit down and make sure all of your equipment is clean and in working condition.

[READ: Maximum Mane Care Tips to Shine in the Show Ring]

Ride For Yourself

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the prizes offered at a show, instead of focusing on your horse and what you’re doing. Don’t get so caught up in winning that belt buckle or daily highpoint prize, that everything you worked on at home goes out the door.

Winning prizes at a show is great, but don’t let it distract you from the real reason you’re showing. Getting fixated on who else is in the show pen, or winning so you can take home a belt buckle is only going to leave you less focused on your horse. And you can’t expect to properly communicate with your horse if you aren’t focusing on him.

In This Issue

Learn more first-timer horse show tips by heading to page 38. Shyanne Smith, who specializes in working with young riders and first-time horse owners, breaks down some of the myths that come with attending a show for the first time.

And as always, we love to hear from you! Do you have any stories from your first horse show? Or advice someone shared with you that helped you gain confidence in the show pen? Send us an email and let us know.