The show is just days away, and this is when good preparation really pays off. The key now is avoiding last-minute panic whilst making sure everything’s ready.
Keep training steady
From Monday to Wednesday of show week, keep your training consistent. Don’t suddenly change your routine or start trying new things. Continue with regular riding sessions, practising your classes, and working on weak areas. This is absolutely not the time to have extra-long rides, introduce new skills, jump higher than usual, or tire your pony out. You want to build confidence, not create stress.
Early in the week, do one complete run-through of each class you’re entering. Ride your dressage test all the way through, jump a course, or practice your individual show. If something goes wrong during this practice, you still have time to fix it. After that, just keep things ticking over nicely.
Watch your pony’s health
Every single day this week, check that your pony is sound – watch them walk and trot for any limping or stiffness. Make sure they’re eating normally, producing normal droppings, not coughing, with bright clear eyes and no unusual lumps, bumps, or heat in their legs. If anything seems even slightly wrong, tell an adult immediately. It’s far better to miss one show than risk your pony’s health.
Sort out equipment
By Wednesday or Thursday, gather absolutely everything and check it thoroughly. Clean your tack, check all stitching and buckles, look for wear or damage, and oil leather if needed. Make sure your grooming kit brushes are clean, hoof pick works, and hoof oil hasn’t dried up. Try on all your competition clothes to check nothing’s too small or damaged, and make sure boots are polished. Wash any dirty items now, not the night before.
Practice plaiting
If your classes require plaiting, make sure you can do it neatly and reasonably quickly this week. Time yourself to help plan show morning. If you’re struggling, ask someone experienced to help or teach you, and work out who could help plait on show day if you run out of time.
Bath your pony
Thursday or Friday is bath time if the weather allows. Only bathe if it’s warm enough, your pony can dry completely before nighttime, and you have somewhere they can stay clean afterwards. If it’s too cold, just do a thorough groom instead – a well-groomed, clean pony is far better than a bathed, shivering one. After bathing, put on a clean stable rug to help keep them tidy until show day (unless of course it is too hot!)
Get the mane and tail sorted too. Wash thoroughly, comb out tangles, and trim if scruffy. If the tail has ragged ends, tidy them up. Bandage the tail overnight to keep it looking neat. Some horses need their whiskers, ear hair, bridle path, and heels trimmed, though only do this if you know how and if it’s allowed in your classes. Ask an experienced adult to help if you’re unsure.
The day before
The day before the show is crucial. In the morning, ride lightly – just enough to keep your pony loose – but don’t school hard or try anything new. Keep everything calm and positive. During the afternoon, give a final bath if needed, and if the weather allows, complete a thorough grooming, check hooves carefully, and make sure shoes are secure if your pony wears them.
In the evening, plait the mane if you’re doing it the night before rather than the morning. Put on a clean stable rug, prepare all your kit for tomorrow, check the weather forecast, get your number and schedule ready, check the vehicle has fuel, and look up directions to the showground.
Pack everything the night before. Your pony needs their tack, grooming kit, hoof pick and oil, plaiting kit for emergency repairs, haynet, water bucket, feed if you’re staying long, rugs, first aid kit, and a cooler. You need your competition clothes laid out ready, spare clothes, boots and a helmet, gloves, a number, a waterproof jacket just in case, snacks and drinks, a phone, and some money. Don’t forget documents like your show schedule, number, directions to the venue, and emergency contact numbers.
Final checks
Friday evening, give your pony one last health check. Are their legs cool and tight? Are they eating normally? No coughing? Moving freely? Hooves healthy? If you have any concerns at all, address them now rather than waiting until show morning.
Prepare yourself too. Lay out your clothes, set multiple alarms, know exactly what time you need to leave, and plan your morning routine. Try to go to bed early; you need good sleep. Have a good dinner because you’ll need energy tomorrow. Avoid screens before bed and try to stay calm and positive.
Mental preparation
Think about how well you’ve prepared, how much you’ve improved, how exciting tomorrow will be, and all the fun you’ll have. Feeling nervous is completely normal. Everyone feels nervous, you’re well prepared, it’s meant to be fun, and you don’t have to be perfect. Picture yourself riding confidently, completing your classes well, enjoying the day, and being proud of yourself.
If you struggle to sleep, don’t panic. One night of poor sleep won’t ruin your day. Rest quietly, even if you’re not sleeping, think positive thoughts, do some deep breathing, and remember that excitement is normal.
Check one more time that your alarm is set, kit is packed, transport is arranged, you know the plan, and you have emergency contacts available. Make sure you haven’t forgotten your phone charger, cash for entries or snacks, schedule and map, and your positive attitude.
Trust your preparation
You’ve worked hard for weeks, and you’re ready. All that’s left is getting good rest, staying calm, trusting yourself and your pony, and remembering to have fun. Tomorrow is going to be brilliant!
Next: The big day – show day routine!
