Horse Show Seasoning

Frits and hilary

In 1968, I competed in my first “real” horseshow. It was a Jugendreiterprufung (Children’s Riding Test) in Wiesbaden, Germany. I was nine years old. My grasp of the German language at that point was minimal. My desire to pay attention to anyone other than animals or myself was even smaller. But into the arena I went, with all the other riders (that I knew I could beat.)

First lesson: It is great to have confidence and feel prepared. It is bad to be self-absorbed.

The judge, a stern looking but rosy-cheeked older German man, was standing in the center of the arena, along with my instructor. My instructor started barking out orders for us to trot around in rising trot and I decided we were in the “warm-up” phase of our competition.

Second lesson: Know what is going on and how your show class is supposed run. Study. Listen.

We trotted around, on and on. I felt it was my duty, as the most perfect rider there, to show those in the audience just how talented I was. I let go of the reins and grabbed leaves off the trees that hung over the arena. I sat through super deep corners, the envy of Reiner Klimke I was certain.

Third lesson: You ARE there to show off but not to make up your own version of the test.

Thankfully, every time the judge looked my direction, I was the vision of grace. I knew the instant his eyes were headed my direction and I tunneled all my energy into doing EXACTLY as my instructor was saying. I pulled out my best posture and remembered all of my earlier lessons. Just perfection in the sand!

Fourth lesson: Know when and how to “wow” the judge(s). Focus on a winning attitude.

Soon, the class was called to line up in the center and I suddenly got the sinking feeling that we were actually NOT in a warm-up and that was my show. I wildly replayed the class in my head and decided that I was still the most wonderful rider in the group. The class was pinned and I did not win. I was beaten by my barn rival. My instructor looked at me with disappointment.

Fifth lesson: The judge sees a snapshot of you and judges what they see in your 10 minutes of fame. If nothing else, be accurate, polished, and, for the love of all that is good, pay attention!

I did not win the next show I attended either. However, I was prepared, I knew exactly how the class would run, and I did my best job. It felt good. I learned that I still had to work hard to succeed but beating all my competition was possible if I just kept at it and wanted it enough.

Sixth lesson: Dream big, put a deadline on your goals, persist, persist again, put your whole heart in, challenge yourself more than others, and success is yours to grab!

Competition is a funny thing. At first, I found them fun for getting away from home. Soon, I was annoyed by the presence of so much oblivious behavior, often resulting in cruelty to the horses or snide comments about (or to) fellow riders. Then, I realized that becoming a champion at the shows was more than ribbons. It was about being a champion in your treatment of all those around you on your way to the podium. Be that person and notice that person…that is the champion. Calm down about all the rest! It IS supposed to be fun!

Final lesson: No one really cares or even remembers who wins what show from year to year or decade to decade as a general rule. What they do remember is the person who helped others and often wore a smile. Be an advocate for the horse and your sport! “Be the change you want to see in the world” – Gandhi  

Be a true champion! Then let’s do it… get out there and have some fun!