What You Need for Your First Hobby Horse Competition

Your first show is mostly about knowing the running order and staying calm. The riding is the easy part.

Before the day

• Enter early. Classes fill, and late entries sometimes cost more. Upcoming hobby horse competitions across the UK are listed on the Hub.
• Read the schedule twice: class numbers, age groups, start times and whether tests are called out or ridden from memory. Our guide to hobby horse competition rules explains how classes and age groups differ between organisers.
• Practise the exact test or a similar course, not just general riding. The dressage guide and show jumping guide explain how tests and rounds usually work.
• Check whether the surface is indoor matting, grass or sand and practise on something similar.

Kit list

• Your hobby horse, plus a spare if you have one.
• Tidy dark trousers or jodhpurs, a plain top, and clean trainers.
• Number bib or clip if the organiser asks you to bring one.
• Water, snacks, a hair tie, and a bag for rosettes.
• A printed copy of your test or course plan.

On the day

Arrive early enough to walk the arena. Find the scoreboard and the collecting steward — they will tell you when your class is called. Watch a couple of riders before you go in so you can see the entry point and where the judge sits.

When your turn comes, present yourself, wait for the signal, and ride your own plan. A steady accurate round scores better than a fast messy one.

Afterwards

Ask for your score sheet. Judges' comments are the single best coaching you will get, and they are usually specific: rhythm, straightness, transitions, contact with the ground.

Bring your rosette home, then write down one thing to practise before the next show. The free Beginner Training Planner is a handy place to keep it.