GETTING READY FOR YOUR FIRST SHOWJUMPING COMPETITION

So you’ve nailed your jumping course in your lessons, and your instructor tells you that you’re now ready for your first showjumping competition, but you’re nervous. You can jump, no problem, but you’re not sure how to manage the show scene. Stress not – we’re here to give you the tips you need to make your first competition go as smoothly as possible.

Choose your venue

The best location for your first competition is somewhere you’ve been before for lessons, schooling or even as a spectator. That way, you’ll know how to get there and where everything is, which will remove a lot of the nerves you might be feeling.

Plan your day

Working out your arrival time at the show is the first thing to sort out. You need to remember that the show schedule is mostly just a guide as to when a class is likely to start, but by looking at the entries, you can work out when you are likely to have to enter the ring. If you get stuck with this, chat to your instructor or get in touch with the show venue and they will help you. Working out your competition time lets you figure out when you should aim to be in the warm-up arena.

Once you’ve worked this out, factor in how long it will take you to load your pony and get to the venue and how long it will take you to tack up and get ready at the show and then calculate when you need to leave home. Our advice is to give yourself plenty of time to avoid being in a rush before your class.

Kit list

It’s well worth packing the night before your first show, as packing before you leave is super stressful! As well as the essentials like tack, hay and water, these are the extras you might need for your showjumping competition:

• Tendon and fetlock boots: These protect the critical structures in your pony’s legs.

• Plain numnah: Generally, plain numnahs are considered smartest for showjumping, and most people opt for white, navy or black.

• Show jacket: You need to be in a jacket for most shows.

• Gloves: You don’t have to wear gloves, but we’d really recommend it. These are also one of the main items we tend to forget when heading to shows, so we thought we should mention them here just in case!

Matchy-matchy

Are you keen to showcase your favourite colour numnah in the showjumping class? Check with the venue or organiser about any dress code rules – sometimes they will be quite happy for you to dress to impress with some matchy-matchy colours.

On arrival

When you get to the show, it is a good idea to collect your number (if necessary), walk the course and then watch a few horses jump so that you can get an idea of how other people are tackling the course. You can choose to walk the course before you get your pony ready to ride or after you’ve warmed up with a helper holding him for you – it all depends on the timing of the class and your place in it.

Always walk the exact route you will take with your pony when walking the course. Don’t be too ambitious with tight turns at your first show, and instead, focus on getting your pony on a good line to each fence. In walking the course, it is also worth striding out the combinations and related distances, so you know how many strides to expect. Ask your instructor how to do this, and practice in advance so that you are ready for the big day.

Warm-up

The first thing to do is tell the steward – who should be standing near the warm-up arena or by the main arena gate – that you’ve arrived. They’ll let you know how many there are to go before you or will write your number down in the running order.

Then it’s time to warm up your pony with a good walk, trot and canter in the warm-up arena. Ride plenty of transitions and pop a couple of fences on each rein.

It can be busy in the warm-up arena, and there are a couple of rules to follow to keep it safe for everyone:

• Pass left to left: If another rider’s approaching you on the other rein, you should pass so that they’re on your left side and you’re on theirs.

• Walk on an inner track: Whether you are just starting to warm up or your pony needs a bit of time to catch his breath, do your walking just inside the track so that others working in trot or canter can use it without having to weave around you. Similarly, don’t halt on the track as this can cause a pile-up.

• Leave plenty of room: Following other ponies too closely can be dangerous as they may stop or slow down suddenly, so always keep a two- or three-horse distance between your pony and others. Look out for ponies with a red ribbon in their tail as this means that they might kick.

• Be flag-wise: If there are flags on either side of the jumps, this means you are supposed to jump them in a particular direction. Always keep a red flag on your right and a white on your left.

• Call out before jumping: Call out to let other riders know you’re going to jump a fence before you turn to approach it. On landing, ride a straight line back to the track.

In the ring

Time to enter the ring! Here are some key things to remember as you jump your competition round:

• Wait for the bell: A bell or buzzer will signal to you when it is time to approach fence one. Don’t start before you’ve heard it, or you’ll be eliminated!

• Focus on your rhythm and route: Don’t get too worried about the height of the jumps or if your pony knocks any. Instead, just focus on riding the best you can, following the route you planned in the course walk and making sure you keep a good rhythm.

• Take it easy: This is your first time at a show so take it easy! If you are worried about a fence, don’t hesitate to circle and plan your next move. It’s much better to leave the ring having had fun!

After the competition

Going into the jump a course can be nerve-wracking, but the best thing you can do is concentrate on your technique and enjoy the moment. Afterwards, focus on what went well, and anything that didn’t go to plan, is just something you can improve on next time!

Of course, don’t forget to cool down your horse, and make sure you give him a bit of time to drink and nibble on some grass before heading home.