Things You'll Need:
- Saddled and bridled horse
- Enclosed riding area
- Approved protective head gear
- Boots with an adequate heel
-
Step 1
Foremost, a rider cannot compete fairly unless entered in the appropriate division and class. In order to be aware of this before show day, consult the United States Equestrian Federation rulebook. Upon entering the ring, realize that you are being judged immediately. One large circle to achieve proper gait (trot or canter, depending on the level) and pace (steady and forward without running) is sufficient if you are riding over fences. If it is a flat class, no circle is necessary.
-
Step 2
Always remember to keep your eyes up and ahead of you. Looking down will cause the judge to fault your ride and could cause your horse to falter on a jump or during a transition. Shoulders should be back comfortably, but without arching of the back. This is known as "roaching" and will be penalized by the judge. Elbows should be bent (but not rigid) in order to create a straight line to the bit, so as to follow the natural movement of the horse's head as he moves in all gaits.
-
Step 3
Hands should be up above the horse's withers and spaced out adequately to allow individual control of each rein as necessary. Your thumbs should be on top of your hand as you hold the reins, similar to the way you would hold a mug to drink from. Fingers need to be closed on the reins without over-gripping, creating tension in both horse and rider. Hands that are too close together, too low on the horse's neck or too loose will result in penalties. Your seat should be light in the tack and following, meaning moving along with your horse at all gaits and staying well within the center over the horse.
-
Step 4
Your leg should be beneath you as if you are standing on the ground. Your leg should be firm on the horse's side at all times. A leg too far forward will put you behind the horse's motion, while a leg too far back will pitch your weight forward, causing you to always be ahead of the motion. Both will be heavily penalized by the judge as failure to recognize the horse's center of gravity. Both can lead to accidents and possibly serious injury in the ring. Accordingly, a rider with low hands will be ranked above a rider with a poorly secured leg. The ball of your foot should rest on the stirrup iron at an angle so as to point your toes out a bit with your little toe being against the outside of the iron, turning your leg to ensure contact between the horse's side and the back of your calf. Your weight should be pressed down into your heel, causing your heel to rest lower than your toe in the stirrup.
-
Step 5
All riders on the flat will be asked to perform at gaits appropriate to the level of competition. You will be judged on your position during transitions, changes of direction and at a halt. Be sure to listen to the ring announcer as to what is being asked. Consult the United States Equestrian Federation rulebook to be sure of the requirements. While not all shows are nationally recognized, lower level shows will be judged by the same criteria to prepare riders for larger, recognized shows. Your ability to achieve proper position and control of your horse will ensure high placings. Do not be afraid to ask the judge (after the show) their thoughts on your performance and how to improve upon it.
