Imelda Lynch, IPS Judge and showing her own horses for over 20 years give her 5 top Dos and Don’ts to help you

Champion of show, Ardrahan 2012

win in the showing ring.

Do:

1. Arrive in time to warm up & collect competitor numbers etc
2. If your horse is to be ridden by a judge try & have someone else ride him at home before the show so that he gets used to having someone else on him apart from yourself.
3. Ask the judge for advice – at the end of the class or afterwards. If you are new to showing don’t leave the show full of questions you wish you had asked.
4. Wear the correct attire & correct tack for the horse. Ask people who regularly compete to advise you on correct tack & turnout or go to a show just to watch the classes.
5. Enjoy yourself.

Don’t:

1. Expect the judge to school your horse – If you feel your horse is too green, do more homework before entering him in a ridden show class.
2. Plait tails- its just my pet hate! Hunters, cobs and riding horses should have pulled tails as should hunter & riding ponies. Native breeds can leave their tails natural.
3. Ride into other competitors or use them as brakes! Have respect for each other & give each other room. Find your own space to show off your horse to his best.
4. Don’t underestimate the walk! The walk is the 1st & last thing a judge looks at before making a decision so walk on smartly.
5. Natter too much in the ring – enjoy yourself with grooms & fellow competitors but don’t let things get so loud you distract the judge!