Many times I hear, “we are so good at home, then we get to the show and it all falls apart.”

For those of you who may have to do the majority of your work independently, here are some ideas. Try to re-create a show type situation at home. If your horse gets fresh in a group setting, try to ride with others as often as possible. Practice the WTC and reverse in a group, have a friend randomly halt on the rail giving you a chance to practice riding past or taking the quarterline to avoid traffic. Have a friend act as ringmaster to call the class, this helps with you not knowing exactly what may come next: will the judge ask for reverse and trot? Or canter?  

If you are having problems over fences, you can practice riding a lot of pole and flower box courses. Starting with your opening circle, design a few courses, be creative, add that bending line or rollback. Practice riding the correct track and striding until you feel confident that you can develop and identify your horse's ideal pace. Go ahead and use brightly striped poles and crazy colored flowers, potted plants, shrubs, etc. Most horses are more distracted by the “fill” than the actual jump. The more real situations you can create, the better. Practice, practice, practice.

On show day be prepared 110% and arrive early, allowing you and your horse ample time to acclimate to the show grounds. Choose a division that is appropriate for your horse. Go in the ring confident and with realistic expectations and goals. Your success will come by exiting the ring knowing that you and your horse gave your best, not in the color of the ribbon.