Tips before showing
Braiding your horse is required if you are competing at a rated show. If it is a schooling show,it is not required, but is a good idea to get the practice in if you are doing this yourself. Before a show, practice weeks ahead of time so you are familiar with how long it will take you.
Hire an expert if you do not braid and call ahead of time to make an appointment, braiding is a busy business during show season!
If you clip your horse or will need to before you show, make sure you clip two weeks before the show date.You want to make sure that their are no traces of the clipping lines on your horse. If you don't know how to clip, it is a wise investment to have an experienced person do this.
Clean your tack and polish your hardware on your bridle. If you clean your tack on a daily basis, you won't have to do much before the show.
Horse transporters can get busy, so make plans ahead of time to contact a reputable service. You can google the name of a transporter and get information on their reliability or if they have had complaints. Ask your trainer or a friend who they have used.
You can carry a whip in all classes except the following competitions:
USEF/USDF Championships
USEF National Dressage Championships
USEF High Performance Championships
USEF High Performance Qualifying and Selection Trails and Observation Classes
If you are staying overnight at the show facility, check to see if shavings are available and how much they cost. It might be cost effective for you to bring your own
Find out the feeding schedule, if you prefer your horse to have a certain feed and amounts, you can let them know and leave the feed in front of the stall, otherwise, team up with a show neighbor and work out a feeding schedule.
Check bit requirements before you go to the show. A technical delegate will be at the entry gate of the warm-up arena to check your bit size and the noseband of your bridle, to make sure it is not to tight. You can check the rules and regualtions at usef.org
Dress attire for training level thru fourth level is a short riding coat of dark color(ususally black). A tie, choker or stock tie in white with a white shirt, short or long sleeves. Breeches and jodhpurs should be white or a light color. Boots or jodhpur boots of a dark color(black) and a hunt cap, riding hat with a hard shell, derby or top hat.
Have a friend groom for you the day of the show. It is so helpful to have a person there to help you tack up, wipe down your boots before you enter the arena, and much more. They are invaluable and groom for them in return.
Whip length
Check your whip length before you go to a show. The legal length is 47.2 inches and this includes the lash.
At some shows the managment will have a marked area for whips before you enter the warm-up arena so that you can make sure your whip is the correct length.. If you warm up with a longer whip, always have a second whip with the correct length available.
Have your membership cards in a separate wallet (if you can) so that they are easy to find when you check in at the show office. Take extra money in case you owe extra fees.
FEI tests and above require you to wear a dark tailcoat with top hat, white breeches or light colored breeches, stock or tie, gloves and black riding boots.
Spurs are mandatory for fei tests.
DressageforJuniors.Com
A fun place to learn more about dressage, training tips, and much more!
Stay current on dressage competition rules and the test requirements as they can change.
Keep a copy of the USEF Rule Book for easy referencing when you are at shows. You can check what type of bits are allowed and the correct whip size.
Keep a test booklet with you at all times. You may need a reader to call your test for you, or someone may ask you to read a test for them.
Check bit requirements before you go to the show.
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