In Preparation

You can’t just say, “let’s go!” No, unfortunately you have to prepare yourself and your horse for an event or competition. Your horse needs to be fit for the work he is doing and the level it’s at. So let’s say you would like to go to an Eventing Show, it’s the Catalpa Recognized Show and you want to go novice. This means your horse needs to be able to jump three feet fences in stadium and cross country. For stadium, he needs good rhythm and balance, where as for cross country he needs a good level of stamina. Then for dressage, he has to organize his legs, and look very pretty.

Now, let’s say you have eight weeks until this big show, and your horse is in average condition, where in the world do you begin?! Start with conditioning, lots of long, steady hill work, this will built up his endurance. Begin slow, with three, five minute trot sets, makings sure you change directions and allow for a two minute recovery time in between. After you complete those, add two, three minute canter sets, one in each direction, again with a two minute recovery time in between. This will last you about forty minutes. This routine should be done once a week, on cooler days, for about five to six weeks, or until your horse is comfortable with it.

So that takes up one of your days of work, what’s next? Flatwork; this is essential to any success at any event. Your horse has to be able to maintain his rhythm in any gait, doing any sort of figure. In week one start with forty minutes to one hour of flatwork two to three times a week. Work on transitions, up and down, as well as serpentines, figure eights, and twenty to ten meter circles. Working on the quarter line with leg yields also helps improve contact to the bit. Be sure to keep a steady beat, trotting poles are very useful for this. Eventually you want to add on to your work out, exercises that ask your horse to give you his head, and bend for you. You want contact with the bit, it should feel like you have 20 pounds in each hand, until he is strong enough for self carriage.

Another day in your week should be jumping. Start at a lower height and work your way up to three foot. You need to do both stadium and cross country jumping, because there is a difference in spend and control. Be sure to have an instructor, or a helper with you when jumping. Do not over work your horse, just get in a good round and be done with it for that day. You always want to end on a good note. Schooling jumps should be done twice a week, but not two days in a row.
Always allow for a day of rest, and a day of fun work. On a day of fun work, you can go on a trail ride, or do some fun galloping. This should not be a stressful day, just a day of enjoyable riding for you and your horse. For his day off, make sure to cut back on grain, but also make sure he gets a good amount of roughage.

As the weeks go on, make your work outs more intense, but also make sure that your horse gets PLENTY of days off. Also as the show gets closer start working towards what you will be doing at the show, such as practicing your dressage test and going to the facility to school cross county. But do not over work him or he will break down or injure himself. He also needs to be fed at least once a day for extra energy. This way you and your horse will be confident and ready for the event!