I have been competing since “back in the 1900s,” as the kids say, which means this past show season was certainly not my first. I feel like it’s reasonable to believe that, while I probably have not seen it all, I can confidently say I have seen a lot!
Recently, I’ve had a few delightful seasons with some clients who are new to the show ring. Seeing the dressage competition world shiny and fresh through their eyes has been delightful for me—and has reminded me of all the things that must be quite surprising for a rider’s first season or two!
As we wait for the snow to melt in many parts of the world, and eagerly prepare for the 2025 competitive year, I have been reflecting on the top few surprises, learning moments, and a few preparedness skills that I have helped my clients discover. And, who am I kidding? Even a crusty old competitor such as myself will like these reminders!

• The judges actually want you to enter the arena and succeed. “They want to give you a 10!” was my battle cry whenever anyone got nervous this past season. I agree, the “S” judge sitting at C looks pretty intimidating, but she really and truly does want to see you enjoy your horse and have a fabulous ride.
• If you happen to have a chestnut horse, it will reliably and consistently get major hives, a big inexplicable fat eye, or spontaneously lose ALL its hair the week before any show where you wish to look your best. This is such a guarantee that, when it does not happen, I take notice. (And said chestnut is in bubble wrap, so there is no reason for this madness!)
• The other competitors are kind, and they are focusing on themselves rather than judging you in warm-up. I can say this from personal experience: If I happen to be riding in, or coaching at warm-up, I am really hoping that everyone in that arena is having a good day! I coach my students to look at others with a thoughtful and objective eye. We appreciate good, kind riding, and we understand that people can also have a tough time occasionally. (And as a rider who specializes in young horses, please trust me that there is no mayhem you can create that I have not already created!)
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• No matter how close of an eye you keep on the way your bridle leather stretches, it will inevitably be not quite right as soon as you get to a show. Or, conversely, you will truly have it dialed in and it still won’t be right—why?!
At the biggest show of the year, you will spend a considerable amount of time pondering this question, and you will realize six minutes too late that the addition of the bonnet you like to use to help your precious, sound-sensitive horse changes the bridle fit just the tiniest bit. Then you will, indeed, feel like it’s your first rodeo. Don’t ask me how I know this, but it’s a good reminder that even us dinosaurs still slip up here and there.
• Your bank account (and possibly your brain) will break the first time you sign up for a big, multi-day, multi-test show. Before the big day you will declare it is a “one and done” experience, because who in their right mind spends money like that? But I 10/10 guarantee that you will then sign up for the next outing before you even check out of your horse show Airbnb. There’s nothing quite like spending a few days at a big show, riding with the big shots, getting some daily coaching, seeing improvement, feeling the support of your amazing team, and hopefully bringing home good scores and prizes to make you want to do it again!

• If you have a horse who has never had a shoe issue a day in his life, there is a 100% guarantee that you’ll find me in the stable with him on the morning of the show, doing a DIY shoe removal of his mangled footwear.
• If you only practice in the sun, it will rain at the show. If you only practice at a quiet farm, the entire fire department will drive by, sirens blasting, as you enter the show arena. You catch my drift: If there is one thing we do in my barn, it is practicing when conditions are not perfect. That way, when there is a tractor flying around the show grounds, honking its horn and dumping loads of rocks, you can say, “No problem! We have seen that before and have not perished!”
• If your horse is normally a super kind lazy schoolmaster type, expect to get warp speed when you least expect it. And then learn to harness that pep, because energy is an admirable quality in dressage! (One of my students had an unexpected weekend of pep and brought home her highest scores ever. We love it!)
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• I strive to be very prepared, organized and thorough when it comes to getting my clients into the arena. But once in a very great while we might encounter insane traffic on the way to a show … and then discover that someone can still get a 70% when their warm-up consists of me launching them onto their horse and shooing them straight into the arena! This proves that flexibility and a take-it-in-stride attitude also goes a really long way.
So to everyone heading out to conquer the 2025 dressage scene, best of luck to you! May your chestnut horses keep their hair, may you encounter no pre-show traffic, and most of all, may you truly have fun and enjoy your horse!
I’m Sara Bradley, a full-time dressage trainer and rider. Most of my time is spent educating a delightful variety of horses and riders at my facility, Waterford Equestrian Center in Waterford, Maine.
When I’m not busy juggling the day-to-day activities at my farm, I enjoy activities like trail running over actual mountains and running marathons. (Life in the slow lane is not my style!) I enjoy many dressage adventures with my German Riding Pony, Dubai’s Dream, and you can follow this journey on Instagram @dubais_dream.