Preparing for an equine competition can be a pleasure or a nightmare – good planning is the key.
I am currently preparing for a driving pleasure show after over a year off from competing and it is a bit of a challenge. Not only does a person have to get the horse prepared, there is equipment and wardrobe to be considered. The wardrobe alone required two hours of determining the ‘correct’ ensemble – my husband just shakes his head, walks away and leaves me to my task (which hat goes with which jacket/scarf/blouse – you get the picture).
Now that I have my four complete outfits organized, the entire collection has to be loaded in the trailer in the right order with the correct hatboxes associated with the designated outfits. I believe I heard my husband mutter something about needing an additional trailer, but I let that slide.
The vehicle and the harness also require lots of attention – they have to be squeaky clean for show days, but I still need to practise with them. I did solve part of that issue by having multiple harnesses, so I can clean the show harness while using the everyday harness for general practise. It is important to use the show harness with the show vehicle in a practice session prior to the show to make sure everything is adjusted correctly. Some very particular judges even use a little mirror to check the underside of the vehicle in competition to ensure it is spotless.
As a joke, one competitor I know taped a $5 bill on the underside of her carriage as a tip for the judge.
For riders, you just have the saddle and bridle to clean – a harness has quite a few more parts requiring attention. For those who are tied in to tradition, only leather harness will do, but there is the option of synthetic harness. Some of the synthetic harness really look and feel like leather, but is significantly less labour intensive when it comes to cleaning. I have a synthetic show harness that I can take in the shower and clean easily.
The last thing to clean and prepare is the horse. Regular work with the horse will provide the skills necessary for the competition. The ‘polish’ comes from proper preparation – bathing the horse with particular attention to the mane and tail (braiding if appropriate), polishing the hooves (yes – they get their nails done too!), clipping if required (nose hairs, fetlocks). There are a lot of shampoos and conditioners for horses that give them shiny coats and soft, flowing manes and tails.
Once all of the above has been completed, you are ready to load up and get to your competition. The key to getting through all this with a good attitude (and your family still talking to you) is proper planning, including scheduling your time for all the tasks so that there is no mad scramble at the end.
Enjoy the process and have fun at the competition!
