If you work with an instructor, she will know what classes you are best suited to enter, based on your riding experience. When the two of you decide, the next step is to contact the show secretary and request the necessary forms. The Prize List describes all the classes, names of the judges, and details about fees, stabling, motel accommodations, and any other requirements. The entry form is what you need to fill out completely and return to the show secretary with the entry fee and a photocopy of your horse's current negative Coggins certificate. If the entry form lists an opening date for the show, you should not mail your entry prior to this date, as it will not be accepted if it is postmarked any earlier than the opening date.

Your horse and tack need to be spotlessly clean for a show, so start ahead of time and get everything ready. If you have show tack that is separate from your schooling tack, your job will be easier. Just get out your show gear, dust it off, and inspect it for anything that needs to be touched up or repaired.

Know in advance how your horse needs to be turned out for the class. For example, will her mane need to be braided? Will her shoes need to be reset? If so, plan ahead for how much time you'll need to get her mane in shape for braiding and her feet reshod.

The day before the show, have your horse groomed, bathed (weather permitting), and show clipped. Pack everything you need for your horse and yourself. That way, you won't feel rushed.

The night before, do whatever you do to help yourself relax. It's important to calm your mind in preparation for any competition. Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast with some protein for energy. You'll need it, because the day ahead will be busy and challenging!

Plan to arrive at the show early so you can get your horse settled in. He needs some time to adjust and relax in his new surroundings, too. Walk him around to let him see the sights and stretch his legs after his trailer ride. If you groomed him well the day before, you should only have touch-ups to worry about before your class.

Before you tack up your horse and start warming him up, warm yourself up with some gentle stretching exercises to loosen your calf and thigh muscles. Most show grounds have designated areas for warm-up on the lunge line and under saddle. Find out where they are and what times you can use them. Don't pass over the warm-up session; it is essential to preparing yourself and your horse physically and mentally to enter the ring.

Check the rules to see what you and your horse are allowed to wear in warm-up before you go in. Some shows have specific regulations regarding what schooling equipment can be used on the grounds. In the warm-up area, try to keep as much distance between yourself and the other riders as possible. Some horses kick, so never ride up close on the rear end of one.

The bumper-to-bumper traffic going in all directions in warm-up arenas scares many first-timers, but there is some order to the chaos. For example, in most situations, it is customary to pass riders going in the opposite direction with your left shoulder to their left shoulder. It is also best to ride with the flow of the majority of other riders, and reverse when they reverse. Pass to the inside of riders going in your direction. If you are schooling over fences, always give the right-of-way to another rider who is on the jumping line.

Listen to the announcer call the class entries into the ring. Enter the ring promptly, stay sharp, and be mindful that the judge may be watching you even though the class isn't officially underway yet. The ringmaster or announcer will call the class to order when the judging begins.

In a large class, it can be difficult to get the judge to see you enough at each gait with so many other riders whizzing by. But it's your job to present yourself at your best in front of the judge as often as possible. Keep enough distance between yourself and the other horses. Circle away from them if you need to, but look around you before you turn to avoiding turning into someone else's path.

When the ringmaster calls for lineup, ride toward the center of the ring and form a line alongside the other riders. Make sure your horse is standing square and that you are sitting straight. Smile, look happy, and don't chitchat with other competitors while the judge is making her inspection.

If you receive a ribbon, women should nod their heads in thanks to the ringmaster and judge, and men should tip or remove their hats. On your way out of the ring, thank the gatekeeper for holding the gate for you. Outside the ring, you may congratulate the winners and the other competitors.

If you are showing over fences or in dressage, you and your horse will enter the ring alone. In hunt seat classes, it is customary to make a courtesy circle in front of the first fence and after the final fence, so the judge can evaluate your position. In dressage classes, it is customary to ride past the judge first with the entry number on your horse's bridle showing, so the judge can match the number to her score sheet.

If something goes wrong, try to remain calm. Do not punish the horse, and do not leave the ring without permission from the judge first. Some people have nightmares about falling off in the ring in front of all those spectators. It does happen, but not often, and the thought of it shouldn't prevent you from experiencing the fun of showing. If it happens to you and you're not hurt, catch your horse and remount, or ask to be excused from the ring and lead the horse out quietly.

These are the little nuances about showing that your instructor can help you learn. Above all, focus on having fun. After all, riding is supposed to be fun, so enjoy every minute of it. Showing can help you grow into a wellrounded horseman, even if you don't participate in a big-time, big-money way. After you have honed your horsemanship skills, you can share them with others and help them get started, just like others helped you along the way. When the day when you can share your skill and expertise with others comes, you'll experience familiar challenges through fresh eyes, and find a new sense of fulfillment in your lifelong passion for horses.