Essential checks all competitors should do prior before the start of the season
Spring has finally sprung and for many this time of year means a return to competition. But not so fast – before you set off on a day out it’s important to ensure you’re fully prepared for the competition season ahead.
Here are some things to tick off in advance that will help set you up for a successful season. Once these jobs are done, you’ll be left with less to worry about and more time to focus on your performance and having a great day out.
Preparing for the competition season checklist
1. Get your horse fit
Make sure your horse is fit for your intended level and discipline. If he’s not, you’ll fall at the first hurdle – hopefully not literally, of course. If you’re eventing, hire a local cross-country schooling venue and get some training under your belt;, if you’re heading to dressage practice your test riding, and if you’re going showing, make sure your horse is show ring prepped.
It’s not fair on a horse to go competing before he’s ready, and it increases his risk of injury. If you haven’t already, start by writing a fitness plan for your horse.
Regardless of your discipline, ensuring your horse is fit for his workload is an absolute must. Credit: Emma Herrod Photography
2. Familiarise yourself with rule changes
Every year the governing bodies introduce new rules, and it’s important to read these through to check whether they’ll affect you. The last thing you want when you go to enter the warm-up arena is to be told that your bridle is no longer permitted.
3. Check your registration
If you’ve marked affiliated competitions in the diary, have you registered your horse and is your own membership up to date? If you want to try going affiliated for the first time, we’ve rounded up some helpful information for affiliated eventing, affiliated showjumping and affiliated dressage to help you navigate the options.
4. Review your insurance
This leads nicely on to checking your horse insurance. If you’re planning to try something new this year, or step up a level, double check that your insurance covers this activity as some providers offer different levels of insurance depending on what activities or sports you take part in.
5. Check vaccinations
Again, for anyone competing affiliated, you’ll need to double check your horse’s vaccinations are up to date. It’s recommended that all horses have flu and tetanus vaccinations for their own wellbeing, but you won’t be able to compete unless your horse’s flu vaccine schedule complies with the current rules.
Check your transport regularly throughout the season. Credit: Bex Pattenden
6. Give your transport some TLC
If you’ve got your own transport then it’s time to check your trailer or horsebox is in good working order. It’s good practice to do this even if you’ve been out recently.
If you usually hire transport, then don’t forget to check availability and get booked for your most important dates.
7. Check your kit
Is everything still in good working order from when it was last used? Are your riding hat and body protector up to standard? Does your whip meet the guidelines? And it’s not just your competition gear you need to consider, check your horse’s travel kit, too.
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You might also enjoy reading:
How to get your horse fit like world number one event rider Harry Meade
How to form a fitness plan for your horse
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Horse & Hound’s definitive guide to equine vaccinations