05/31/2026
Taken from How not to annoy the Judge by Allison Deardorff ;
3 Things Iโd Tell You About How to Show Your Best, if I Wasnโt Afraid of Hurting Your Feelings
(But Iโm not. So here it is.)
Yes, this is supposed to be fun.
But itโs also a competition. ๐ 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. ๐ด
1. Youโre not in riding shape and it shows.
This isnโt about being thin. Itโs about stamina, balance, and control. ๐งโโ๏ธ
Cardio fitness matters, especially under pressure.
And your core? Itโs everything. ๐ฅ Without it, youโre reacting instead of riding.
Pilates, strength training, walking, running is all good and beneficial. ๐โโ๏ธ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ
But nothing replaces saddle time.
Youโre managing nerves, adrenaline, and a thousand-pound animal.
The only way to get truly riding fitโฆis to ride.
Not grind your show horse.
Thatโs why we have lesson horses. ๐
Take advantage of them. Long live the lesson horses. Saddle time matters. Every day, if you canโฆon lesson, not show horses.
2. You donโt have any presence.
Some trot into the ring and light up. โจ Others wilt.
That spark and presence can be built.
No, charisma isnโt technically judged but it changes the whole picture.
It impacts your horse. ๐ It shapes the energy of your ride.
Judges notice when a team rises or shrinks.
Confidence under pressure isnโt luck, itโs a skill. ๐ฏ
3. You donโt want it bad enough.
If you did, youโd treat this like the high-level sport it is. ๐
Youโd study. Youโd prepare. ๐
Youโd know the rules. Know what judges value.
Youโd watch livestreams, playbacks, review your own rides. ๐ฅ๐
Youโd ask for feedback and apply it.
This might be a hobby to some.
But for professionals, judges, and horses itโs serious.
When youโre 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. ๐
