What To Focus On Now That The Show Season Is Over

I just finished up the last show of the season and have mixed feelings about having some downtime from lessons. What should I focus on over the winter?

Here are some tips that will help you come out ready to compete next season rather than feeling like you don’t have a plan. But don’t forget to rest a little yourself as well!

1. Watch videos: Watch videos of yourself. No, not just the good ones. Watch the ones where you made mistakes, too. Study your position, your timing, your horse. Take notes and bring them to your next lesson.

2. Help your trainer: Even if your horse is having some downtime from lessons, I can guarantee your trainer has some sale horses, and even more likely, youngsters that he/she is working on through the winter. Ask to help, ask to ride them, ask to watch their training sessions. You will learn a ton here!

3. Pick up a book: Turn off Netflix! There are so many excellent reads out there about riding AND horse management. Take this time to study the sport, and to study the horse. Being a good rider is only half the game here. You need to be a good horseman too.

4. Plan: This is the perfect time to get organized for next year. Renew your memberships (USEF, USEA, USHJA, etc.) Make some goals for the spring and fall, pick options A,B,C. Order any gear items that you broke/lost over the course of this year’s competitions. Make a “show packing list.”

5. Train the details: Once your horse has had a break and you’re back into training, make sure you focus on the details. During the show season, it’s easy to get wrapped up in schooling courses and required movements in each lesson. Now is the perfect time to fix that awkward elbow you have, the tilt in your hips, or your horse’s drift. Work on drills, position, and precision. Oh, and drop your stirrups too.

For tips on improving rider fitness while your horse has time off, check out some of the blog posts by resident fitness and nutrition expert, Robin Martinez. Click here for a full list.

Off-season slump? See Linda Allen’s post: “Tips to Keep Your Horse From Getting Bored at Home“

Time to get your horse fit again after a break? See Olivia’s post: “Exercises to Strengthen a Horse’s Hindquarters“ AND Denny Emerson’s video topic on Horse Fitness below.