Steer Planet - Show Steers and Club Calves Forum

I am going to be showing my horse for the VERY first time at a county fair in July i have already started training , and if anyone could give me some info it would be greatly appreciated, also can you show western in command class? I will be showing western how do i train my horse for tandem bareback, egg race, western pleasure, walk trot thanks for all the info keep it coming! Oh i am an beginner/intermediate rider. Here is a picture of my horse

I showed horses for many years. What classes are your entered in? What classes do you need information on? Western .. English? Give us a little more information and we should be able to give you some more response.

Jordan

Not knowing your skill level it is hard to offer advise so I will offer it to you are a true beginner.  A lot of shows have walk trot warm up classes.  I would start there.  DO NOT go into the rail classes if you don't have good control at all three gaits.  Stay with in your skill level and you will have a fun day.  Go beyond it and you might wonder if you ever want to do this again. 
Halter class is a good way to start the day.  Judged on your horse's conformation, there is no pattern.  Watch the class ahead of you to see how the judge runs his line up or ask someone. 
If you feel the Walttrot class is a good fit and the Walk-jog-lope is a bit more than you want to do, stay and watch.  Watch the class.  Pick your winners and see how they stack up to the judge.  You might not agree but ususally the better mounts rise to the top. 
What to wear?  If this is your first show and you are lacking in show clothes(I make custome designed clothes and have dressed world champs so this I know) keep it simple.  A judges especially a male judge appreciates clean lines and simplicity over trying to make thinks go together that do not match.  A pair of creased wranglers(yes iron or better yet starched) with a pressed or starched shirt preferable in a plain color-can never co wrong with white or blue and men's oxfords at Walmart will work- with sleeves long enough and can be tuck in well, a belt, clean boots and a decent hat.  Can be straw or felt but NO WAVES to the brim.  If you want a bit of color or to soften your look, a pretty scarf tied around your neck.  No floppy ends.  It should be wrapped twice around and tied with a small knot at the front.  Pretty stud earrings-no dropped ones.  Hair needs to be contained well either is a nice ponytail or a tidy bun with no flyaways.  Just like showing cattle, that first impression of cleaness and tidiness go a long way.
Clean equipment is a must as well as a clean clipped horse.  Ears, bridlepath, muzzle, fetlocks.  A shortened mane is preferred but if you have a mane you cannot part with, it sould be laid down nicely. 
Most inportantly set a small goal for yourself.  Even if it is " I will go into my class with a smile at the start and finish" and talk to people and have FUN!!  Joan

Spend lots of time between now and next summer in the saddle, wet saddle blankets win shows.  Clipping. cloths, and clean tack are fine but as I always tell my girls it doesn't matter what you wear if your in the wrong lead.

If you are showing 4H clothing will be simple; dark blue jeans, a hat, white shirt, and 4H arm band.  Here are some pics of my girls from our county fair this year:  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31472088&l=5be47d4fb1&id=1125666917

Mike

I've been involved with our county's horse show for years. The one thing I can assure you is this; a professionally trained horse is NOT a sure winner!

 The more time you can set aside practicing one-on-one with, and exposing your horse to the events you mentioned the better your success.

Horses are highly sensitive to the unfamiliar  so get out as much as possible and de-sensitise the show experience.