05/31/2026
Taken from How not to annoy the Judge by Allison Deardorff ;
3 Things I’d Tell You About How to Show Your Best, if I Wasn’t Afraid of Hurting Your Feelings
(But I’m not. So here it is.)
Yes, this is supposed to be fun.
But it’s also a competition. 🏆 We owe it to the horses,not just to show up, but to be primed to deliver.
They show up for us and we owe them the same. 🐴
1. You’re not in riding shape and it shows.
This isn’t about being thin. It’s about stamina, balance, and control. 🧘♀️
Cardio fitness matters, especially under pressure.
And your core? It’s everything. 🔥 Without it, you’re reacting instead of riding.
Pilates, strength training, walking, running is all good and beneficial. 🏃♀️🏋️♀️
But nothing replaces saddle time.
You’re managing nerves, adrenaline, and a thousand-pound animal.
The only way to get truly riding fit…is to ride.
Not grind your show horse.
That’s why we have lesson horses. 🐎
Take advantage of them. Long live the lesson horses. Saddle time matters. Every day, if you can…on lesson, not show horses.
2. You don’t have any presence.
Some trot into the ring and light up. ✨ Others wilt.
That spark and presence can be built.
No, charisma isn’t technically judged but it changes the whole picture.
It impacts your horse. 🐎 It shapes the energy of your ride.
Judges notice when a team rises or shrinks.
Confidence under pressure isn’t luck, it’s a skill. 🎯
3. You don’t want it bad enough.
If you did, you’d treat this like the high-level sport it is. 🏅
You’d study. You’d prepare. 📚
You’d know the rules. Know what judges value.
You’d watch livestreams, playbacks, review your own rides. 🎥🔍
You’d ask for feedback and apply it.
This might be a hobby to some.
But for professionals, judges, and horses it’s serious.
When you’re investing serious time, money, and resources.Yyou owe it to yourself, and your horse, to show up like it matters.
The horse shows up without excuses.
So should you. 🐎
