Know when to quit training your horse. Once you get to a show, even if something is not right, just let it go. If you try to fix it there, both you and the horse will get frustrated. It's more important to let the horse stay happy, because in western pleasure classes, quietness wins. You might know that something isn't perfect yet, but it won't be as obvious to others and you can still gain experience by competing anyway. Besides, the judge can't scope out the whole show ring all the time--you get about 10 seconds of the judge's attention each time you go by--he just might miss that not-so-perfect thing when it happens!
Resist schooling your horse in the ring. Many riders think they can get away with jerking on their horses or schooling them when they aren't in the judge's line of vision. This tactic can backfire. When you're jerking on your horse, you just might attract the judge's attention--but that's not when you want it! Even if you do get away with it, when you drop your hand after jerking, your horse is going to be uptight and the judge will see that. Do your schooling at home, so you can have a quiet, happy horse in the ring!
Choose where to place yourself on the rail. Throughout the competition year, you get to know your fellow competitors and their horses. Choosing who you ride next to in the ring can make your horse look good or bad. For example, if your horse isn't a good loper, make sure not to ride near a great loper, because your horse will not look as good when the judge compares the two horses together. If you know that a particular horse is faster than most, line up behind him because that will give you more rail space. If you're riding a good horse and there's another good horse in the ring, ride next to him. That tells the judge: Here are your top two horses--you can pick your winner from these two!
Don't be afraid to pass other competitors in the ring. Most western pleasure competitors are reluctant to pass others in the show ring. Everyone makes this mistake. If you are loping behind a creeply-crawly horse who makes your horse go too slow, you'll lose the nice swing of the legs that you need for a good lope. Don't choke back and make your horse look bad just to avoid passing someone. It's okay to pass if you do it courteously and safely.
Communicate and cooperate with the other competitors. Maintaining a good ring position can be tricky in a large pleasure class. Pay attention not only to who is in front of you, but also who is coming up behind you. If you hear someone coming up close, cut the next couple of corners just a little bit to stay ahead of them. That way you can maintain your position and maybe help out the friend behind you. Don't be afraid to ask another competitor to move over or to cut the corner. If someone asks you to do these things, do them!
Practice good sportsmanship. Everyone gets tense about competition, but it doesn't do anyone any good if people are bad sports. Don't be sarcastic or rude to other competitors. Don't swear at them if they get in your way--they may or may not be doing it on purpose. There's no sense getting worked up--or getting other competitors worked up--if something goes wrong, because there's always another show if this one didn't go right. If you are competing for the love of the sport--and not to win at all costs--then you can relax and have fun. Wish the other competitors well, help them out if you can, and may the best person win!
© 1998 by Larry Charles. All Rights Reserved.
Larry Charles is a T.E.S. instructor who has won various U.S. and Canadian All Arabian/Half Arabian National Championships in Western, Hunt Seat and Saddleseat. |
