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Are You Really Ready to Show?

Horse people have been waiting patiently for the return of horse shows, and for many, they have finally returned! On June 1st, US Equestrian lifted all point restrictions placed on horse shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any state that has approval from its governor and is in the correct opening phase can begin to offer horse shows. Shows must abide by new guidelines from US Equestrian, CDC (Center for Disease Control), and the WHO (World Health Organization). In case you haven’t seen the new COVID-19 US Equestrian Guidelines, you can view them here: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/5Qx7zDlFvXs/usef-covid-19-rule-modifications
Brown Horse in a Horse Show

“I’m sure that every show horse has enjoyed their newfound “down time” during the pandemic.”

Changes in the barn and on the road.

Many horse show managers have been working tirelessly to accommodate the new guidelines. These changes require a lot of adapting to the new normal showing routines. For one, all exhibitors, trainers, and grooms must wear masks when on the ground. Competitors and their teams must practice social distancing, each division has allotted times, there is a set limit to the number of people who can be at the ring with each horse, and the largest change, no spectators are allowed.

There are several hunter/jumper horse shows that have restarted over the past two weeks such as Tryon, NC; ESP in Wellington, FL; HITS Horse Shows at Lamplight in Chicago, IL; and The Classic Company at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, SC. So far, these horse shows have been fairly successful with their reinstatement and have had a good turnout. Every horse person is eager to get back to the fun of horse showing!

I’m sure that every show horse has enjoyed their newfound “down time” during the pandemic. Everyone’s downtime has differed from state to state, depending on each governor’s pandemic policy. Some horse businesses were shut down completely and relied on staff to exercise and turn out all of the horses. Whilst other barns were able to operate by appointments. The grooms met the owners in the ring with their horses fully tacked and ready to go. Some states had lighter restrictions. Some states required barns to stay home and not travel, but they could continue with business as usual.

Horses in Trailer waiting to Drive

Should we go to a horse show?

With the downtime that our horses have had, how do you know if your horse is fit enough to compete? The truth is simple: be realistic with your goals. If your horse isn’t fit enough to participate yet, pushing him too fast could lead to lameness or injury.

You might be ready to compete!

Did you show all winter and has your horse been in an exercise program with your trainer during quarantine? If so, your horse is most likely fit enough to return to the show ring. Your trainer and/or their assistant has been exercising them, keeping their muscles and minds working to keep them prepared to walk back in the ring with you. They’ve been reminded of their jobs every day. They have probably had extra time to enjoy being horses and getting turned out. The bright side to quarantine is you will have a horse who’s ready for a change in scenery too!!

Maybe you aren’t ready…

If you do not have the above situation and you haven’t been able to exercise your horse as frequently as you wanted, there are several ways to evaluate your horse’s current fitness level. First, start with looking at your horse from the ground. Does he look well-muscled, or does he have more fat dispersed across his body? When you run your hand across his body from neck to tail, are his muscles flaccid or firm? If they’re loose and bounce beneath your fingers, you have some work to do.

Next, take a look at diet. Is he eating too much grain with his cut in exercise time? Has he been getting too much grass outside with his extra turnout time? A re-evaluation of his forage/grain intake may be necessary if he looks fatter than usual. A great way to get that show ring shine and muscle definition process picked up is with omega supplementation. That said, it is still important to properly rebuild your horse’s endurance and muscle undersaddle. Supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids will just aid in your journey. Talk with your trainer or veterinarian before changing anything.

Something to consider.

When you ride your horse, is he exhausted after 20-30 minutes of continuous walk/trot/canter work (blowing, sweating hard all over his body) or is he mildly sweating and feels quiet, but not completely wiped out? If he still can’t catch his breath after a good cool down, then he’s not fit enough yet. Don’t despair; you just need to do a little more work to get him ready to return to the ring.

Another option is to change his scenery up a bit if you can and he’s a willing soul. Ride inside if you have an indoor, take him to the outdoor ring, take him out to a field (bring a friend if you can), take a trail ride (again, friend) and do some hill work. If you don’t feel comfortable doing these tasks, ask your trainer to help you or ride your horse for you. Horses become bored and sour if you don’t change things up for them and work for different muscle groups.

Have you taken several lessons with your trainer (spread out over a couple of weeks, not successive days)? Have you yourself had time to practice? I’m sure you haven’t forgotten to ride but you might be a little rusty after not practicing consistently for a bit. All of these things are totally understandable. If you don’t feel confident in your abilities at home, you won’t feel successful when the pressure is on at a horse show. If you can confidently jump your horse several times a week in lessons and it doesnt exhaust your horse after each one, you’re both ready to show!

English Rider on an Excel Supplements Performance Horse

When you make it back to the show ring.

Consider starting at a level lower than where you were at your last show. This is beneficial for both of you; you’ll feel more confident jumping smaller jumps and you will allow your horse to refocus again on his job. Another option is that you could have your trainer show your horse for you in a warm-up class or ticketed warm-up before you do your division. That gives your horse a chance to have a tune-up and refocus himself on his job before you take a turn. Then you’ll both have the correct mindset and ready to compete!

Once you have finished your first or second show back, then you can discuss with your trainer about returning to your normal classes or divisions. If you feel like you do not need to bump down and your trainer is on board with that, then carry on with your normal divisions.

It’s easy to get swept back up in the thought of horse showing again—we’ve been waiting for this for three months! But before you set foot at the horse show, make sure your horse is at his optimal fitness level and can physically handle the job you are asking him to complete. This will help make his first show back a positive one and allows you to have your chance at winning your classes!

Q&A:

Can horses get Coronavirus?

There is a strain of Coronavirus that can be transmitted from horse to horse or from woodland creature to horse (similar to the transmission of EPM). With that in mind, you can rest assured that COVID-19 is not transmissible from human to equine.

What do we do if we get sick after a show?

CDC guidelines continue to insist on a 14 day quarantine after interstate travel. If you are feeling ill, it is highly advised to seek medical attention to get a test for COVID-19 and self quarantine. 

About the Author

Nicole Mandracchia

Nicole Mandracchia (aka “Smiley”) has been immersed in the horse show world for 17 years. She rode and showed in Zone 2 as a junior, attended Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ, and was the captain of the IHSA team. Nicole has groomed and ridden for several top professionals in the industry, including: Robin Rost Brown, Val Renihan, Missy Clark and John Brennan’s North Run, and Amanda Steege. She has spent a majority of that time traveling up and down the East Coast following the A-rated circuit, including Florida and all the indoor finals. Nicole is also a frequent blogger for The Chronicle of the Horse.

In addition, Nicole helped run a successful A-rated and C-rated horse show series in Augusta, NJ, from 2012-2017. Nicole has won four grooming awards in her career: at The Sussex County Farm and Horse Show (2013), The Capital Challenge Horse Show (2018), WEF (2018), and The National Horse Show (2019). Nicole’s most memorable indoors’ experience was at The 2018 National Horse Show when both of the horses she was grooming claimed a tricolor in their respective divisions (Lafitte de Muze was champion in the Green 3’6″ Green Hunter division and Zara was reserve champion in the 3’6″ Green Conformation Hunter division).  Nicole owns a Dalmatian named Maddie and her boyfriend Lee also works the horse show scene as an in-gate starter. Writing is a passion of hers and she enjoys sharing tips, funny stories, and advice on anything horse-related!

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