I hear this from many new horse owners. In fact, this was the intention of a number of my students for whom "just riding around" lost its appeal as they got a taste of competition! Showing horses has so many rewards far beyond ribbons and prize money. One of the benefits of my job is seeing young as well as older riders, families and singles, with very different goals and expectations reap these rewards from the same sport.
It is quite common for riders to ask, after they have been taking lessons for a while, for an evaluation of their talent. I think its human nature to want to know how we measure up to the average standard. And many a horse owner just can't help but wonder how his horse stacks up to the others. Ten people at your barn can tell you how much they like your horse, but there is no greater thrill than when a qualified judge likes him too. Showing gives you an opportunity to test the skills you are practicing at home and achieve your personal best performance. J Perhaps you have nailed down some impressive equitation patterns at home - will you be able to do the same in a horse show situation? There's only one way to find out!
Showing horses is (or should be) a fun, social activity. Although some show organizations have the stigma of being cliquish and exclusive, my experience in the association that I'm involved in (showing Quarter Horses) is quite the opposite. Families spend the weekend together, rather than each member pursuing their own interests. A parent might ride the family horse in amateur competition, then a teenager shows in a youth class before handing the reins to the youngest for a walk/trot event. I have some families that start out with one member of the family riding the horse in English events and another showing the following day in western classes. Each one gets a chance to assist and cheer the other. Back at the stable area, while waiting for their next class, competitors, their families and friends encourage, help and tease each other. After the horses are put away the day's events are recounted around BBQ's and in restaurants.
Having a goal to work toward, a date circled on the calendar to prepare for is one way to keep life exciting. It motivates you to head for the barn rather than the couch after work. My students who prepare for the Quarterama horse show each march tell me it keeps them riding throughout the winter when it would be tempting to hibernate. There is a "buzz" around the barn when there's a show approaching that's contagious!
Youth riders learn valuable lessons competing with their horses that they wouldn't learn by pleasure riding. They must budget their time to be dressed with patterns or courses memorized, horses entered, schooled and groomed at a specific time in the program. If they're not ready, they miss their class. If they miscalculate, they may end up riding a horse that's too fresh, or forget their number, or go off pattern. They build physical and mental toughness when they have to compete occasionally in challenging conditions like rain or heat, or getting up in the middle of the night at the big indoor shows to familiarize their horses with the show ring.
Competitors of all ages are stretched when they perform alone, in front of a crowd and a judge without the security of a team around them, as in other sports. To mess up badly with all eyes upon you, and realize that the world didn't come to an end and that people aren't ridiculing you, but sympathizing with you instead is a character builder. What preparation for making that confident business presentation or even the toast to the bride at your friend's wedding!
Competition is more than just winning or losing. It's about facing your fears, whatever they are, and going for it! It's about building relationships with other people that have the same interests and they are facing the same challenge. Most importantly this sport goes beyond mastering a piece of equipment - our "equipment" is a living, breathing partner with whom we're learning to communicate. Are you convinced? Could the show ring be for you?
This article is courtesy of Headwaters Horse Country magazine.
Lindsay Grice