1. Allow more time than you think you will need. You will always use it.

2. Get to the show grounds early enough to know where competition rings are, warm up and where and if they are allowing lunging (most often in the way back forty!)

3. Check in at the office. Be kind to the office personnel. They have been up much later and much earlier than most of you! Double check your  competition arena and your ride times. Do this again mid day, especially if there is strange weather or riders are scratching. Proactive riders can help make an efficient show day!

4. If you need to file a vet report, first thing is the time to do it.

5. If you had any incident with your horse on the way to the show or overnight that involves even minor scrapes, find your TD, point it out and explain it. That way, if it comes up with the judge, it has already been clarified.

6. Carry Desitin or some type of thick cream that can cover a scrape. Use sugar or apples for treats. No cookies or carrots that color the    saliva.  Take hay away from your horse and start giving sugar or apple about 15 minutes before you put on the bridle to avoid large green spots on your breeches and down their legs.

In the Warm Up Arena

1. Know which muscle groups you are warming up, and to what extent. A training level horse will not carry the long list that a 4^th level or FEI horse will.

2. Know what kind of time your horse needs to mentally start to    focus, and what routine best draws that focus. If he is not mentally     focused, the physical can not follow.

3. Remember that “life begins at training level.” Warm your horse up THROUGH the levels to the place where you will be showing him.

4. Think of your test as a series of questions you will be asking your horse in front of a judge. The judge will be providing feedback on how well your horse is answering these questions.

5. Much like a multiple choice test, if there is an answer you  draw a blank on, move on and come back to it. Do not get your warm up stuck on one question.

6. Be familiar with the movements you will be using in the test pattern. Do not drill the movements, but incorporate them into your warm up pattern.

7. Do not use movements that are in opposition to what you will be showing, i.e. do not practice series changes starting on the right that will be your count to the left. Don’t waste time on simple changes if your horse is showing changes through the trot.

8. Keep your awareness of other horses in the ring. Who is the hot one about to jump out of his skin? Pass left  to left and stay off the rail when walking. Call a movement to prevent a wreck, but do not narrate your every move.

9. Do your pre-arena  touch up 10-15 minutes before you are due in the competition arena, so you are not rushed and your horse is not coming from a halt to show.

1. Be sure your wraps are OFF and your stock tie is ON.

2. Be ready ahead of time. Go in once the horse in front of you has left his final halt.

3. Know what you want to accomplish around the outside of the ring.  Does your horse need time at the judges stand? By B? Is he lazy and needs to remember how to go or the type that a long side of  walking will put the world right for?

4. Know whether your ring signal is a whistle or a bell.

5. Know your strides to X for a polished entry. Remember to     salute, and not with your whip in your hand! Wait for the judge to acknowledge you, but if they just sit there staring assume that is an acknowledgement and get going.

6.     Be on centerline.

7. Know your geometry and      letters, and which way you turn at C.

8. Prepare for transitions and plan to ride them one stride early.

9. Accurate means the letter is     located between your foot and your horse’s shoulder.

10.  If you get blown off course,  listen to the judge COURTEOUSLY. Ask where they would like you to start. Be clear. You are not in trouble, and getting to do it again means you get to do it that much better!

11. Do not talk to your reader or your horse…

12. Be aware of the judge’s perspective. Keep shoulder fore going away from the judge and do not override the neck going towards him. Think “A is for angle, C is for clear.”

13. Whatever passes in the arena, keep your thoughts to your horse positive. A horse can not distinguish between thoughts you have for yourself  ( “ I can’t believe I am so stupid! Why did I come here?") and thoughts you have for him. Dressage works because our horses hookup with us physically and mentally. Be responsible for knowing how you are thinking, keeping your body language and mental language positive for your horse.

14. Return to the warm up and cool down your horse as you would with a regular ride. Keep it positive, even if it is necessary to fix an issue that came up. Try to have a treat or at least a lot of positive pats for your horse. Beat yourself up for an off course or a missed letter when you are well away from your horse.  Make the show ring a place of joy and ease and pride, not stress! Then your horse will not learn to dread it.