Preparing for a Show

By: Ambassador Alexis Martin

Everyone has their own ways of preparing for horse shows. For me it's not only about organizing for the show but also organizing my life so I can focus on the show. By getting as much done at work and school ahead of time I am able to just concentrate on going, doing well, and having fun.

Because I am in college and trying to learn how to 'adult' I can’t just write a note saying I won’t be there. So at the beginning of every semester I go and talk to each of my professors about my riding and that there will be a few days I will not be there because of a show. All professors have different opinions but luckily for me they have all been supportive and work with me to get my assignments in ahead of time so that I don’t miss anything! I try to get most of my work done before leaving for the show, this way I can really relax, concentrate, and enjoy the show. If I have a big project that I have to do then I usually do it in the evenings, but I like to just stay calm and focus on the show.

Once I get school taken care of I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, I am able to focus on Bud and myself and get everything else ready!

​To get ready I always love to take everything out of my trunk (even if I just went to a show) and I reorganize everything that is in it, over and over until I have it perfect. I make a list to help make sure that I have everything that I need so that I won’t forget anything. That was a HUGE problem when I was younger!

Besides working on my riding in lessons, I LOVE Bud to be clean! Very clean! So he gets a ton of baths, it’s become one of my favorite things to do.

One of the biggest parts of preparing for a show in my opinion is that you have to really want to go. You have to make a commitment and keep it up! If you don’t really want to do it then you won’t make progress or get things done properly. The more you want it the better you will do!

​How do you prep for shows?

Happy riding,