My first event is 1 week away... final prep??

[horsegirl520]

How should I prepare my horse this last week? What should I do on what days? I want him to be fresh, confident, and fit for next weekend... any suggestions?

[joharavhf]

Hopefully your horse is already fit and you don't have to worry about it!

[deltawave]

Well, if he isn't fit now he won't be any fitter in a week, but unless you're doing Training or higher, an actual fitness program isn't really that important. :)

I wouldn't do anything outside your normal routine--keep things relaxed and normal for your sake. My usual schedule is Monday off, big lesson on Tuesday, ride again on Wednesday, Thursday off, Friday travel and hack around the show grounds on arrival, Saturday/Sunday compete. Much of that is due to my work schedule, but it isn't necessary to change a whole lot for competing.

If you any particular "bugs" you'd like to focus on, by all means concentrate on that this week. For instance, I have a big show next weekend and will be putting my youngster down about 100 banks/drops on Wednesday--it's something she's still green about. But other than that the routine doesn't change much on "show weeks" for me, other than all the work getting the trailer packed, etc.

[ss3777]

OK, here is a whacky suggestion:

Read something inspirational. I happened to read a story about a once in a life time horse right before my last event and there were a couple of "pearls of wisdom" that really resonated with me. I have actually written down a few and sometimes hang them in my trailer.

Have fun and good luck!

[joharavhf]

OK, here is a whacky suggestion:
I have actually written down a few and sometimes hang them in my trailer.

Have fun and good luck!

Well by all means POST them!!!! :D

I usually ride about 6 times a week with Monday off. On a competition week I'll ride Monday and take off Thursday instead. And I won't ride the day after the competition. (I need time off too!)

[Bobthehorse]

You wont get the horse any fitter in a week, but you will make him more tired!

I do a light flat the day before (10 - 15 minutes), hack the day before that (mostly walking), and everything else doesnt really matter, except I dont jump less than 3 days before a show, and then its not very hard. I wont gallop less than a week before. My horse went Training all year, and was on a conditioning schedule, with one day a week off (mondays). But once we got halfway through the season he didnt need much more than weekly trot sets and some hills on occasion (oh the joys of an older horse!). He stays plenty fit.

But since its your first event, youre probably going BN or N, and are more concerned with going clean and having fun than making time, in which case a conditioning schedule isnt a big deal yet.

[asterix]

Just ride like normal this week. Don't jump right before the event. I sometimes do a jump lesson on Tu or Wed if the event is on the weekend -- if I have a conditioning schedule going, the last sets I'd do would be Tu or Wed at the latest.
You won't make him any fitter this last week -- you've got the fitness you're going to have.
But if he's fit for the level you shouldn't really need to "ramp down" what you are doing, either (unless you are doing a 3 day, but I will assume you are doing a horse trial since it's your first one!)...depending on the horse, I will either practice my dressage test the day before the show, or just go on a nice long hack...or maybe run through the test once or twice, and a shorter walk hack.

If you are anxious about either jump phase, see if you can sneak in a lesson or a school in the first half of the week. Second half, just enjoy, make sure you know your test, etc.

[horsegirl520]

We're doing baby beginner novice (on my 3' hunter), so nothing should be an issue... I'm just terribly nervous!

[deltawave]

You're doing fine, right on schedule. :)

[Lori B]

Do whatever you would ordinarily do riding wise OUTSIDE the ring, if possible. Like, if you were going to do flatwork on a given day, do it in a grassy field outside of a ring. Ride outside instead of inside if possible. (Just my opinion)

So many HTs (particularly unrecognized) have dressage in a marked off grass ring, and even often have stadium on the same kind of spot. If the majority of your ride time is indoors, this will feel unfamiliar, so prepare for all that 'outdoor' riding.

Also, I mostly school in paddocks & half chaps, but the week before any event I ride in tall boots just to get re-accustomed to them, and to soften them up again. If there's any other gear changes you plan to make before your event, test them, don't make the show the first time you use that combination of 'stuff'.

Don't wait until the night before to do stuff like fill out your medical armband. Do it now! You'll need your sleep the night before.

[denny]

Repeat after me:

"Our Father,
Which art in heaven-----!"

[CBudFrggy]

Deep clean and double check your tack and gear this weekend, so you can give it a quickie next weekend. Pack the stuff you don't use everyday, and have a great week.