I make sure the basics are "automatic" -- in other words, so easy and well-practiced that I don't have to think about them. Things like half-halts, transitions, riding the figures in the test and so forth.

I seldom practice the whole test all the way through. Maybe a day or two before the show, and parts of it during warm-up the day of the show. My horse is a smart guy and anticipates things -- the medium trot diagonals, for instance. Which is fine, but I want him to wait for my signal to go. I spend more time "riding it in my mind" than riding it in the arena.

Breathe! Count out your rhythms to keep them steady. Ask yourself periodically if you're running your horse off his feet. Sometimes we mistake "speed" for "impulsion" -- a fact I have been reminded of by judges. (I'm not immune to rushing through a test, either!) I also have a tendency to tighten up my shoulders before or during a test. I don't even know I've done it till I see the video or photos later. Rolling my shoulders or swinging my arms seem to help. The tight shoulders probably also slgnal a tightness elsewhere, so it helps to do an assessment of tight spots. A friendly set of eyes on the ground helps, too. ("You're pulling your heels up!" or, "Relax your elbows!")

I don't think anyone ever gets rid of all the show nerves. A little is good as long as it doesn't go towards barfing-behind-the-barn nervousness. Lots of show mileage will alleviate much of the nerves & tension. Remind yourself it's a horse show, not brain surgery, and you're doing this for FUN! Ribbons don't matter, and scores only matter as far as they indicate what needs more work and what's coming along well.

Have a few laughs with your friends and fellow competitors. Laughter is a great tension reliever!

Thanks for the ideas, guys.

And Geoffrey, I always thought you were a good coach - now I know you're a great one!!
I'll definitely try that little trick! :)

How timely is this. I can tense up enough to have my horse explode all over the place. And this is a horse I know very well, and tests I have totally memorized. Soooooo

We now ride tests, including judge and scribe, every Saturday. We also have a different judge and scribe come in once a month and have a pot luck after.

I find music very relaxing, so in goes the IPOD with Maggie's very own music (thanks Karen Robinson, who is totally amazing), in one ear only, of course.

Oh, and for me, there's nothing worse than people telling me to smile, relax, or anything else. My coach is the only one who should talk to me before I go in, or I'll get tense too.

We rode an entire test yesterday in front of our visiting judge, with NO issues. Hell, we got a 7 for our canter to the right, which is the one that she usually has a bucking squealing fit about. Double co-efficient.....

Have a look in my pics Barbara and you will see an image in a tutu/fourfour that might help with the nerves!!

Geoffrey -- that is hilarious!

Barb! You'll do just fine! Are you riding your new boy in the symposium? I'm excited for you!

I always find that I get really nervous before a class if I have the opportunity to sit down, if I keep busy/fussing with the horse than I am much more relaxed and I am able to tune everything out for the ride. If I have the chance to worry and fret, I can't do anything in the saddle without the jitters and being stiff.

I used to train and school at shows for a lady that would have a shot of vodka before her classes -- she was 70 at the time, it worked for her! Although I do not endorse this, I always thought it was great

Symposium update and shameless bragging.

I rode in the symposium and my horse was SUCH A GOOD BOY!!! He is the cutest thing imaginable!!! Yay! :)

p.s. I saw Prospect's horse there and he is gorgeous! A big beautiful guy with a fabulous neck!