Ok, i just got my first horse this December.She is a rescue and is very,very jumpy she is scared of everything.But i would love to show her but i am nervous that she will get scared and freak out and hurt herself.Any tips on how to get her ready for the show ring??(By the way she is very well trained she is just very skittish that's all.)
I'd just get her used to going out to start with.
Maybe take her some where that's not as busy as a show, and get her used to schooling in a new environment so she can get used to this without the pressure of a show. You're more likely to stay calm aswell and help her through it if there's no pressure to perform.
Then maybe take her to a show but not enter her in it, if one of your friends is going or one of her field mates take her with them so she can soak up the atmosphere and still have the support of another horse to stop her getting too upset.
Then when she's comfortable with these things, maybe go with a friend again and enter a nice easy class together and see how she copes.
If she is quite nervous take things very slowly, rushing her into showing will just make her more nervous but if you let her take her time at each point she may well really enjoy going out to shows.
Maybe take her some where that's not as busy as a show, and get her used to schooling in a new environment so she can get used to this without the pressure of a show. You're more likely to stay calm aswell and help her through it if there's no pressure to perform.
Then maybe take her to a show but not enter her in it, if one of your friends is going or one of her field mates take her with them so she can soak up the atmosphere and still have the support of another horse to stop her getting too upset.
Then when she's comfortable with these things, maybe go with a friend again and enter a nice easy class together and see how she copes.
If she is quite nervous take things very slowly, rushing her into showing will just make her more nervous but if you let her take her time at each point she may well really enjoy going out to shows.
I think the key may be for you to focus on having a good time at the show. In particular, do not think about ribbons. If you get through the show calmly, and the horse is calm, too, then you have won!
If she messes up, just think calm thoughts and bring her back to a semblance of proper performance. If she tries freaking out, try to figure out (in that crucial two seconds) what the issue is, and whether to help her confront the issue, avoid it, or abandon the ring. There is no shame on being disqualified. There are always more shows.
Do not worry about the judges' opinions of your horse. You have your own opinions, and of course they are better opinions than anyone else could ever have.
If she messes up, just think calm thoughts and bring her back to a semblance of proper performance. If she tries freaking out, try to figure out (in that crucial two seconds) what the issue is, and whether to help her confront the issue, avoid it, or abandon the ring. There is no shame on being disqualified. There are always more shows.
Do not worry about the judges' opinions of your horse. You have your own opinions, and of course they are better opinions than anyone else could ever have.