Horse Show DO's

• DO be at the paddock area before your class ready to enter the ring.
• DO have your horse clipped and bathed for the show.
• DO have your horse’s hooves trimmed neatly and shod appropriately.
• DO know your specific rules for your class requirements, tack and attire.
• DO keep your horse spaced on the rail, but within an easy eye range of the most competitive horses, not off totally by yourself in the ring.
• DO act confident and professional when exhibiting your horse.
• DO be courteous to other exhibitors and show personnel.
• DO have your correct number if showing more than one horse.
• DO have a change in forward speed and extension when asked to largo.
• DO train your horses to perform a flat walk when called for in pleasure classes.
• DO practice multiple reverses on the rail; can simulate figure-eight patterns.
• DO practice dismounting/remounting with your horse standing still whether parallel to the rail or in center of the ring line-up (for pleasure classes).
• DO practice relaxation techniques if you're very nervous riding in the ring.
• DO videotape your class so you can see what you can do to improve for next time.
• DO have your horse in proper four beat Paso Fino gait upon entering the showring.

Horse Show DON'Ts

• DON’T wear your hair long or in a ponytail, so it covers your entry number.
• DON’T show your horse if it is not in gait; consider just schooling him in *the show environment, but not in the actual class until he is in steady gait.
• DON’T have someone else tack your horse up without double checking it yourself for fit and appropriateness before entering the show ring.
• DON’T have cavessons & curbchains so tight that 2 fingers won’t fit under it.
• DON’T show a horse with raw or bloody sores caused from harsh use of training gear on nose or jaw area (reason to be excused...cruelty to animal).
• DON'T wear loose "flying in the wind" clothes that distract from the horse.
• DON'T wear schooling leggings in classes; it looks unprofessional.
• DON'T wear "riding" trousers that are too short where your boots show excessively.
• DON'T wear cowboy pointed-toed boots or western hat with english tack.
• DON'T show your horse if it is not in gait; consider just schooling him in the show environment, but not in the real class until the horse is in steady gait.
• DON'T keep an unruly horse on the rail where it will create a danger or disrupt another horse's performance. Go to the center of ring and ask to be excused; or for a time-out if there is a tack problem.