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Show season is right around the corner. This is the time of year when the weather is more unpredictable than usual, making it a challenge to prepare your horse for show season. Here are a few tips to get you and your horse ready.
1. Draw your dressage tests.
1. Draw your dressage tests.
Dressage and event riders should begin now to mentally prepare for their dressage tests. Even if you plan to use a caller, it is essential that you have a clear, dynamic image in your mind of how each figure spans the arena, and where you need to prepare for your transitions.
In her 2010 Dressage Today article, Hilary Moore, dressage instructor, FEI competitor, and USDF associate instructor stressed the importance of drawing your dressage tests, especially at the lower levels. "Draw your test movements", she states, "so that you know what each should look like, including the exact geometry of the arena. You need to know exactly where your figures hit each point."
Why does this matter? In the same issue of Dressage Today, Janet Foy, an FEI "I" and USEF "S" dressage judge explained that the most common errors riders make at the lower levels is riding incorrect figures. She often asks riders how many meters are between the letters, and is dismayed to find they have no idea. She points out that it isn't possible to ride accurate circles if you don't know this.
In her 2010 Dressage Today article, Hilary Moore, dressage instructor, FEI competitor, and USDF associate instructor stressed the importance of drawing your dressage tests, especially at the lower levels. "Draw your test movements", she states, "so that you know what each should look like, including the exact geometry of the arena. You need to know exactly where your figures hit each point."
Why does this matter? In the same issue of Dressage Today, Janet Foy, an FEI "I" and USEF "S" dressage judge explained that the most common errors riders make at the lower levels is riding incorrect figures. She often asks riders how many meters are between the letters, and is dismayed to find they have no idea. She points out that it isn't possible to ride accurate circles if you don't know this.
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The plan: Start getting yourself and your horse in condition two months before the start of show season. |
If you practice drawing your tests, you will get a very clear image in your mind of how a 20-, 15-, or 10-meter circle spans the arena, how deep you need to ride into the corners to avoid losing points, where each 10-meter arc of a serpentine must begin and end, and where you need to prepare your horse for a transition. The higher the level the test, the more important this is because higher level tests have more figures and hence less time to prepare for a transition (or recover from a poorly executed one).
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The best part of this all-important test preparation? You can do it anywhere—sitting in your living room, over your morning cup of coffee, on your lunch break, or at the barn. We recommend using dry-erase boards that have imprinted, drawn-to-scale dressage arenas imprinted on them. They allow you to draw your test, wipe the board clean, and draw again. (See products below.)
2. Get your horse (and yourself) into condition.
This is particularly important if you have not had access to an indoor arena over the rainy or snowy winter season. Your horse may have lost some muscle due to inactivity and burning calories just to stay warm. Your riding muscles may be out of condition as well. Even if you've had access to an indoor arena, you should start stepping up your horse's game to ensure that she shows at her best.
The best way to do this is to rely on the old rule of thumb: Walk for strength, trot for rhythm and balance, and canter for endurance. If you horse has (more or less) been off training during the winter, start with a 30 minute work out, dividing your time more or less evenly among the three gaits. Work up slowly to an hour. And be sure to cool your horse down before returning him to his stall. Again, the rule of thumb is walking for about 5 minutes at the end of the session. If it is still cold in your barn, you might want to untack him, drape a fleece cooler over him, and hand walk him for 5 minutes.
If you've been sedentary over the winter months, get back into workout routine that builds your cardiovascular endurance, your flexibility, and your strength. Pilates, yoga, running, bicycling, and weight training are excellent ways to achieve this. Be sure to do some of these activities outdoors as much as you can as the weather warms. The show arena is probably not going to be as temperature controlled as your fitness center or living room!
This is particularly important if you have not had access to an indoor arena over the rainy or snowy winter season. Your horse may have lost some muscle due to inactivity and burning calories just to stay warm. Your riding muscles may be out of condition as well. Even if you've had access to an indoor arena, you should start stepping up your horse's game to ensure that she shows at her best.
The best way to do this is to rely on the old rule of thumb: Walk for strength, trot for rhythm and balance, and canter for endurance. If you horse has (more or less) been off training during the winter, start with a 30 minute work out, dividing your time more or less evenly among the three gaits. Work up slowly to an hour. And be sure to cool your horse down before returning him to his stall. Again, the rule of thumb is walking for about 5 minutes at the end of the session. If it is still cold in your barn, you might want to untack him, drape a fleece cooler over him, and hand walk him for 5 minutes.
If you've been sedentary over the winter months, get back into workout routine that builds your cardiovascular endurance, your flexibility, and your strength. Pilates, yoga, running, bicycling, and weight training are excellent ways to achieve this. Be sure to do some of these activities outdoors as much as you can as the weather warms. The show arena is probably not going to be as temperature controlled as your fitness center or living room!
3. Practice your moves.
Once your horse is back into condition, begin practicing your dressage figures and/or jumps. Don't ride the whole test because your horse will learn it as well as you do, and will try to anticipate the movements. You can lose major points for that. In a dressage test, you horse is supposed to do what you ask when you ask. Make sure you have the current tests for your discipline. Dressage tests changed in 2015. You can find them here.
For jumping, start with cross rails and low jumps just to make sure you and your horse are judging the distances correctly. A lot can happen to your vision and your horse's judgment when the two of you have been off for a few months.
Once your horse is back into condition, begin practicing your dressage figures and/or jumps. Don't ride the whole test because your horse will learn it as well as you do, and will try to anticipate the movements. You can lose major points for that. In a dressage test, you horse is supposed to do what you ask when you ask. Make sure you have the current tests for your discipline. Dressage tests changed in 2015. You can find them here.
For jumping, start with cross rails and low jumps just to make sure you and your horse are judging the distances correctly. A lot can happen to your vision and your horse's judgment when the two of you have been off for a few months.
4. Body clip your horse.
If your horse's coat has gotten shaggy over the winter (and it can happen even if you blanket her), plan to body clip her as soon as you're sure the cold weather is gone for good. (Yes, this can be a challenge in the Midwest where the saying is, "If you don't like the weather here, just wait 5 minutes.") Here are two good videos that explain how to safely body clip your horse.The first shows you in detail the type of equipment and accessories you will need to do a good job.
If your horse's coat has gotten shaggy over the winter (and it can happen even if you blanket her), plan to body clip her as soon as you're sure the cold weather is gone for good. (Yes, this can be a challenge in the Midwest where the saying is, "If you don't like the weather here, just wait 5 minutes.") Here are two good videos that explain how to safely body clip your horse.The first shows you in detail the type of equipment and accessories you will need to do a good job.
This one from SmartPak Equine shows you how to body clip, especially those areas where the hair swirls in different directions.
5. Clean your tack and your show clothes.
Check over your tack and clothing to see if anything needs to be repaired or replaced. Make sure your show clothes still fit!
6. Practice braiding.
If you are out of practice with respect to braiding your horse's mane, take some time to do a few practice sessions. The last thing you want is to discover that you're all thumbs the night before a show. Here are three good videos on braiding. The first shows how to create button braids, which are customary for dressage and eventing. The second shows braids for hunter/jumpers. The third shows how to do a decent braiding job is just 10 minutes!
Check over your tack and clothing to see if anything needs to be repaired or replaced. Make sure your show clothes still fit!
6. Practice braiding.
If you are out of practice with respect to braiding your horse's mane, take some time to do a few practice sessions. The last thing you want is to discover that you're all thumbs the night before a show. Here are three good videos on braiding. The first shows how to create button braids, which are customary for dressage and eventing. The second shows braids for hunter/jumpers. The third shows how to do a decent braiding job is just 10 minutes!
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Happy riding!
Copyright Denise Cummins March, 2017
We thought you'd also like these quality products. Click on the pictures to purchase from Amazon.com
Copyright Denise Cummins March, 2017
We thought you'd also like these quality products. Click on the pictures to purchase from Amazon.com
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  Wahl Professional
Equine Clipper |
  Oster Professional
Turbo Clipper |
  ADC Professional
Equine Clipper |
  Braiding Kit
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  Oster 10-Piece Universal
Clipper Comb Set |
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  Drawn-to-Scale
Dry-Erase Dressage Arena ClipBoard |
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Dry Erase Markers, Eraser, and Cleaner
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TuffRider Kashmere
Full Seat Dressage Breeches |
EQUUS Stretch
Dressage Coat |
TuffRider Women's
Dress Boots |
  Ovation Stock Tie
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  Troxel Helmet
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  TuffRider Dressage
Shirt |
  Roma Cruise
Coat Bag |
  Roma Cruise
Saddle Bag |
  Roma Cruise
Tall Boot Bag |
  Roma Cruise
Bridle Bag |
  Roma Cruise
Hat Bag |
  Roma High
Wither Dressage Saddle Pad |
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