Prepare to Win!

Preparation is key to success at any event, and when the nerves kick in you can take reassurance from the fact that you have done everything you can and you are ready to compete and hopefully win!  You have already spent a good deal of time and effort getting qualified for the finals, so good preparation will help to ensure that you remain calm and enjoy the whole experience as well as putting in your best performance.

• Plan to have a lesson with your regular instructor a week or so before the event, to help you brush up and be ready to put on your best performance.  
• Try to emulate some of the Championship atmosphere at home so your horse or pony becomes used to it.  Fix up a banner, play some music and invite some friends round to applaud, so that your horse can get used to this going on while you are riding.  You could even hire a local arena and get some other riders to come along for a rehearsal.  
• Make sure your horse is fit enough to compete over several days.
• Check your tack and get any repairs done in good time, get your lorry/trailer serviced, have your horse or pony’s back/teeth/saddle checked if necessary.  Book the farrier for about a week before the show – don’t risk having your horse shod the day before as a tight nail or even a prick could cause your horse to go lame.  
  
• Attention to detail is so important and you want to look your best at the championships.  Practice plaiting and applying quarter marks so that you can do it easily once you get to the show and you know how it is going to look.  
• Have a full dress rehearsal so that you can check all your tack and clothing looks good and feels comfortable and try not to use brand new gear for the first time at the event - your tack and clothing will be much more comfortable after it has been worn a few times.  
• Make a checklist of everything you will need to take for you and your horse.  You will have a lot of stuff to take for several days away with your horse.  A list can often be a lifesaver - take a look at our suggested packing list below and don't forget to add your own special items!
• Have fun and enjoy the Championships!   

Championship Checklist

Download a printable version HERE
This list of things to take to the championships may be helpful:

• Your usual tack plus spares such as numnah, saddle cloth, girth, reins and stirrup leathers
• Headcollar and leadrope
• Rugs – stable rug, cooler and waterproof (just in case it rains when you are on the way to the ring!)
• Boots for competing, stable bandages or wraps, tail bandage
• Hay or haylage and haynet(s)
• Feed and water buckets
• Enough of your horse’s usual feed and supplements
• Grooming kit, including fly repellent and a sponge and sweat scraper, plaiting kit, etc.
• Mucking out equipment - fork, skip or barrow, etc
• A wheelbarrow or trolley is handy to transport your gear to the stables
• Tack cleaning kit
• First aid kit for horse and human
• Your usual competition clothes plus an extra pair of breeches as you will be competing over 2 or three days.  Check the rule book for the correct clothing and tack for your discipline
• Casual clothes for mucking out, grooming and socialising in the evening
• Paperwork:  your horse or pony’s passport, schedule, directions to Stoneleigh, copies of your dressage test, etc.
• Suntan lotion, sun hat, sun glasses (let’s be optimistic!) plus wet weather gear as added insurance!
• BBQ, wine, family and friends.  Dogs are welcome – on leads at all times and please scoop the poop.