“Think about other people’s feelings first because it’s not all about maximizing your personal convenience.”
- 27 Etiquette Rules For Our Times, Forbes
Observations
Last year I was very humbled as to what it felt like to compete in the show ring after taking a hiatus for a few years and switching disciplines. One of the biggest reminders I had was to acknowledge all level of competitors- this sport is mentally and physically tough. Since last fall, I have been standing ringside, A LOT, while my hunter competes only in the open divisions. You could say I have been a “fly on the wall”, especially with the hurry up and wait timing of our sport. I have found that the individuals that are most pleasant to be surrounded by demonstrate a manner of ringside etiquette that is based on one common trait: THOUGHTFULNESS.
Modern Etiquette to Remember Ringside
1. Cell Phone Usage: There is a big difference between “loud conversations” and using the phone as a tool to call back to the stabling, warm up ring, etc. In the former, leave the area, as it is distracting to those within hearing distance. Also, stay present enough when taking a call to ensure that you are not in any one’s way.
2. Social Media: Keep it positive. This is not a place to post images on ANY social media platform of a rider having an issue, especially a refusal of fall. We all have those days. Now if you want to post a picture of yourself, have fun with it!
3. The Gate: This area should be kept clear. “Extra people” tend to mill around if their trainer and/or friends are in the class. The rider on deck should not have to navigate around large groups or an individual in the direct pathway in order to enter the arena.
4. Course Boards: Be aware of personal space. If multiple people are trying to look at the same course, then do not obstruct their view. If you are like me and memory challenged, take a picture of the courses on your cell phone.
5. Verbal Comments: You never know who is standing around you. I was watching a friend in a class at WEF and the trainer behind me asked another trainer what he had showing later in the week. He replied, in a less than enthusiastic tone, that he had just a few adults in the equitation and the “SCAriat”. I was totally offended as many of my friends ride in this division and, as adults, we work hard juggling responsibilities just to ride. I would aspire one day to ride in company of the top adult equitation riders! We each have a few stories like this...
6. Thank You: Since this post is specifically about ringside etiquette, it is important to mention to open horse owners or a parent of a junior/amateur competing to always thank your trainer. I guarantee that they have placed more pressure on themselves than we imagine and they take every imperfection in a round as a personal mistake of their own.
7. Graciousness: To the same group listed above, always graciously acknowledge the winner and those that walk ahead of your horse or child. Being the class winner is easy. Our character is tested on how we treat competitors.
Passing Judgement
I would like to close with the same insight I garnered earlier in the year and published in the post titled Return to the Show Ring Toolkit:
“A good reminder to all of us, including parents, is that this sport looks easy from the sidelines, but to actually walk in the ring takes fortitude…For these reasons, I have made a firm promise to myself that I will never pass subjective judgment on a competitor’s round with the same scrutiny I once did. We don't walk (or ride!) in any one else's boots. Any individual that follows through in competing, whether a crossrail class or an International Hunter Derby, has already accomplished a large feat.”
1) Rob Asghar, 27 Etiquette Rules For Our Times, APR 22, 2014, Forbes, downloaded May 4, 2017
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