I know you were all waiting for it! My kick this week... show prep!!
We spent the last week or so getting ready for our first Fun Day Show at Chapel Hill Saddle Club! I am so excited about this opportunity for my girls to show off what we've been working on!
I have a few students who have shown before, a few who haven't at all, and a couple who've been to countless shows. So it's fun to run through the 'basics' with everyone and put that last polish on everyone's show ride.
I like to use the "checklist" method when I'm in the show ring,
and I encouraged all my students to spend some time in the last week coming up with their own checklists. Every time the announcer asks us to change gait or direction, I take the opportunity to run through my mental helmet-to-toes checklist, the things that I know I need to focus on in my ride. Mine goes something like this...
Head up
Shoulders back
Hands forward, still, and together
Elbows next to sides
Seat relaxed
Heels down
Toes pointed forward
And repeat...
I can't wait to share how our show goes on Sunday!