Show Ring Return Toolkit

A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE

Returning to the show ring has not been an easy endeavor. I truly love attending horse shows, but the thought of walking through the gate and “thinking” that I need to be perfect, regardless of the discipline, can put my anxiety on high. I know I am not the only equestrian with these feelings, so the question is why do gravitate towards a sport that triggers such intense emotions? The answer is one word: PASSION.

When I purchased Sazerak (aka Sunny) 1.5 years ago, I had no doubt that this was my opportunity of a lifetime to own a competitive hunter. Little did I know that mentally I would develop a fear of getting hurt (not related to Sunny), emergency colic surgery would take place, and I would struggle with perfectionism and the subsequent desire to want to stay home and practice.   I had to turn these obstacles into opportunities if I wanted to return to the show ring. 

THE TOOLBOX 

I am at an age where I know better then to put myself in a position where I look back and wish I had tried. This sport has an immense about variables that can curtail opportunities including equine health and soundness, financial obligations and personal limitations. With the help of professionals and my own experience, I created a plan to best ensure I reach my goal of returning to the ring this year. I call the culmination of these pieces, my “toolbox”.

1) Mental Skills: Hiring mental skills coach Tonya Johnston was one of the most important investments I made. A competitor herself, Tonya has first hand experience in the show ring and understands the challenges riders face. She worked with me weekly to maximize my riding lessons and establish tools that I could use for my actual classes. Two of the many skills that Tonya taught me that made a difference in my rides included visualizing the course TO THE PACE and walking the perimeter of the show ring prior to my classes to become familiar with each fence and line. I plan to continue to work with Tonya to grow my confidence as a competent equestrian  (www.tonyajohnston.com).
2) Replicate the Show Ring Environment: Practice every question that you think may be possibly asked in the show ring. Competing last week, I learned that the small ring that I ride in daily is not conducive in establishing a true horse show pace through an entire course. Warm up classes and an evening school were the immediate fix.  In the future we will regularly haul to outside locations to practice in larger arenas with courses of fences.
3) Tough Love: Recognize that your trainers, family, and close friends might have to give you tough love, but only because they believe in your abilities.

My first day of showing did not go as planned. Sunny had been showing in the open classes and quite frankly, I think he was rather uninspired by the lower fences in my divisions and therefore pulled me down the lines. Additionally, since they were 2-3 strides longer than what we practice at home, I did not feel prepared and my fear level rose. I walked out of the ring after my second class and said, “I am never doing that again.” MEANING…. I AM GOING HOME AND PRACTICING AND NOT SHOWING ANY MORE UNTIL WE CAN DO THIS PERFECTLY! Calmly, my trainer told me to rest, eat some protein and we would practice in the evening. She knew our abilities and had to firmly nudge me to apply them. Later, we did a 20-minute school and I was confident and prepared for the next day. 

4) Physical Fitness: Horse shows are known for depleting one of sleep and requiring extra physical exertion compared to our normal daily activity. Cross-training is not only important for you rounds in the ring, but conditioning helps better prepare you for riding your best on long days.
5) Training: Competitive riding requires working with an objective third party. One must find a trainer that is the perfect fit.  Important factors to consider include effective and ethical training techniques, ability to assist you in reaching your goals, belief in both you and your horse, and a reciprocity in respect.

COMPASSION

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. I cannot tell you how many professionals and seasoned amateurs have commented to me that each time they show, they still get nervous and/or have fear. The level of anxiety I had in the days before my classes was definitely elevated.  For these reasons, I have made a firm promise to myself that I will never pass subjective judgement 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.