Spring is here! And so is the show season.  Shows can be fun, but before you decide to take your horse to one some preparation is needed.  You need to think why you want to go to a show. Maybe it's to broaden your equestrian experience, or to see how well your horse performs against similar horses and riders, or just to meet other horse people. You don't need to compete to go to horse show, they can be fun to watch, too. You may like to help at a show as a ring judge, show secretary or even help a friend and be her groom. Whatever the reason enjoy yourself. You can have a lot of 

 Shows can be fun but they are hard work, and can be both rewarding and disappointing. Participating at a show can be tense and you need to be organized in order for the day to run smoothly. On the positive side you gain experience riding your horse in a different atmosphere, you make new friends and you may come away with a ribbon and prize. On the downside if things don't go so well it can cause family arguments, demoralize you and you may even consider selling your horse if he hasn't behaved well.

 Preparation is key, you need to make sure you have all the tack you need (and 
cleaned) for the horse plus essentials like hay, water and a bucket (for his water!) to make him comfortable, your own riding attire . . . and most importantly directions! You need to know where you are going. 

 I remember going to a Cross Country competition; the schedule said Larkhill Cross Country and gave the date and classes etc.  I sent in my entries and on the day of the event my dad and I drove to Larkhill, which is an Army base in Wiltshire near Salisbury, UK. It was very strange arriving as I was the first horse trailer there. We asked the soldier on the gate where all the other trailers were and he new nothing about a competition being held there (although they regularly had point to points and cross country competitions). The schedule just said Larkhill Cross Country. In the distance I spotted another trailer and I said "Dad follow that horse trailer"!  We went for miles and miles and after about an hour or so ended up at the competition and fortunately in plenty of time. When I enquired at the secretary's tent why there were no directions she just said that everyone new where it was held and most came each year!! 

 It's a good idea to get your horse familiar to his trailer, too. It's frustrating when you have to get to a show and then your horse takes and hour or so get into the trailer and the same when leaving the show I have known people to even lead a horse home from a show as they couldn't get them in the trailer.

 Your riding skills need to be proficient enough for the classes you are entering and that you can be in control of your horse. For my first show of the season I would enter a class but be focused on getting to know the show, how it is run, the show conditions (eg, footing in the rings, whether classes run to time and if they overrun how badly - it's annoying when the schedule says your class will start at 10:00 am and it finally starts at noon) but there is nothing you can do and you have to make the best of it. At the show you need get ready and warm your horse up by walk, trotting, cantering and jumping him over the practice fence. Each horse is individual and you will know how much warming up your horse will need. You will need to keep an eye on the classes so that you don't miss your class, so it's helpful if you can have someone with you to help you out.  It may take a few shows to get your horses acclimated to shows and yourself too. Ultimately you want to enjoy yourself, and you do want to aim to come home with a ribbon.

 Enjoy the show season