How to be a good horse show mom or dad
Sep. 21st, 2011 10:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kayreLaura's first riding instructors made sure I knew exactly what to do and what not to do at a horse show, and I've figured out a few more things on my own. I've seen show mom flunk-outs, too-- at each barn there was a mom who was not allowed at the warmup ring at shows. So here's a first draft of a summary.
Stage one: Take care of yourself. Shows are stressful; you'll be no help to your rider if you are sunburnt, dehydrated or hungry, not to mention underslept or hung over.
Carry the grooming bucket or bag. Learn what each thing in it is called and produce when requested. (This should include a water bottle for the rider; offer it occasionally.) Make sure your rider is wearing the correct number. Carry the rider's hat or helmet until it is needed. Keep track of what class is in the ring, and what your rider's next class is.
Don't speak, except "Good luck!" as the rider heads into the ring. Seriously, just those two words, or something very similar. At this point your rider needs to hear from the trainer, not you. Listen carefully. After each class, just a couple more words-- "Great job!" or "nice try!" or "ouch, that was a tough one!" appropriately.
Make friends with other non-riders-- show parents, show officials, even the cooks in the concessions. (Especially them, if you're a coffee drinker.)
Stage two: Continue to take care of yourself. Gently urge your rider to do the same, but don't nag. Help your rider figure out what works best for them at a show, in terms of self-care. (My rider has trouble eating while nervous, but chocolate milk and goldfish crackers hit the spot, so I make sure those are available. Nutrition can wait; this is about calories and hydration.)
Carry the bucket, hat, etc. Obtain patterns for classes that require them. Wipe down rider's boots just before she enters the ring; horse's legs as well, if you are comfortable doing so. Ask rider if fly spray is needed, and apply it if the answer is yes.
Offer a few words of genuine encouragement, with one-- JUST ONE-- gentle reminder, if the trainer's not there to coach at the last minute. No coaching after the class, though. Let the rider evaluate what happened, but stick to calm and neutral responses, or comfort if needed. Don't slam the judge!
Stage three: You don't get here fast-- a couple of years at least! By now you may be doing shows without a trainer, or your rider is sufficiently advanced that the trainer's not in constant attendance. Take care of yourself, and help the rider do so as well. Also keep an eye out for the horse. You shouldn't be caring for the horse, but you can make sure the rider doesn't forget.
Carry the grooming bucket, give those last minute touch-ups. Be prepared to help other riders (sometimes a stranger with safety pins or a boot brush is a blessing), or to help with show business like gatekeeping or handing out ribbons. By now you're probably doing some coaching, but keep it gentle and limited, and be sure you balance reminders with encouragement! You're just putting on polish, not training. No coaching after the class, unless you've spotted some small point that can be fixed in the next one. Otherwise, leave it until the next lesson.
Stage one: Take care of yourself. Shows are stressful; you'll be no help to your rider if you are sunburnt, dehydrated or hungry, not to mention underslept or hung over.
Carry the grooming bucket or bag. Learn what each thing in it is called and produce when requested. (This should include a water bottle for the rider; offer it occasionally.) Make sure your rider is wearing the correct number. Carry the rider's hat or helmet until it is needed. Keep track of what class is in the ring, and what your rider's next class is.
Don't speak, except "Good luck!" as the rider heads into the ring. Seriously, just those two words, or something very similar. At this point your rider needs to hear from the trainer, not you. Listen carefully. After each class, just a couple more words-- "Great job!" or "nice try!" or "ouch, that was a tough one!" appropriately.
Make friends with other non-riders-- show parents, show officials, even the cooks in the concessions. (Especially them, if you're a coffee drinker.)
Stage two: Continue to take care of yourself. Gently urge your rider to do the same, but don't nag. Help your rider figure out what works best for them at a show, in terms of self-care. (My rider has trouble eating while nervous, but chocolate milk and goldfish crackers hit the spot, so I make sure those are available. Nutrition can wait; this is about calories and hydration.)
Carry the bucket, hat, etc. Obtain patterns for classes that require them. Wipe down rider's boots just before she enters the ring; horse's legs as well, if you are comfortable doing so. Ask rider if fly spray is needed, and apply it if the answer is yes.
Offer a few words of genuine encouragement, with one-- JUST ONE-- gentle reminder, if the trainer's not there to coach at the last minute. No coaching after the class, though. Let the rider evaluate what happened, but stick to calm and neutral responses, or comfort if needed. Don't slam the judge!
Stage three: You don't get here fast-- a couple of years at least! By now you may be doing shows without a trainer, or your rider is sufficiently advanced that the trainer's not in constant attendance. Take care of yourself, and help the rider do so as well. Also keep an eye out for the horse. You shouldn't be caring for the horse, but you can make sure the rider doesn't forget.
Carry the grooming bucket, give those last minute touch-ups. Be prepared to help other riders (sometimes a stranger with safety pins or a boot brush is a blessing), or to help with show business like gatekeeping or handing out ribbons. By now you're probably doing some coaching, but keep it gentle and limited, and be sure you balance reminders with encouragement! You're just putting on polish, not training. No coaching after the class, unless you've spotted some small point that can be fixed in the next one. Otherwise, leave it until the next lesson.
