What’s the Last Thing You Do Before You Go in the Show Pen?

By: Brittany Bevis

A last swipe of lipstick, a boot shine, one more coat of fly spray. What’s the ONE thing you simply MUST do before you enter the show pen to compete with your horse?

We asked our Equine Chronicle readers the above question. Scroll below to see what they had to say.

Alefa Eserjose- “I always say, ‘Good luck kiddo! I love you. Just have fun,’ to my girls before they enter the ring.”

Chesna Wertz- “Clear my mind and focus on the pattern ahead and what we need to do.”

Ursula Holliday– “Pat my horse and tell him we’ve got this!”

Tiffany Schenk Krock– “Breathe.”

Amanda Martin McHollan- “Focus.”

Sarah Nichole Basso– “Get my ‘good luck’ from Megan Vanderslice.”

Mike Fischesser– “[I put on] Pepi show spray.”

Shelley Otness– “ [I put on] fly spray!”

Taylor Wheaton– “I always give my horse a pet before I enter the pen. I started that this year, and it has seemed to boost his confidence!”

Amy Ferguson– “I pick my horse’s feet and then send in my small fry.”

Katie Greenawald– “One last sip of water and an Altoid mint! Always!”

Sandra Lunden– “Pat my horse and say, ‘Let’s go. We’ve got this.’”

Ashley Meinhart– “Give my horse a pat. They have worked hard too- to get to this point.”

Megan Lundquist– “Check my cinch.”

Stephanie Redus– “Fly spray, for sure.”

Natalie Hudson– “Pet my horse and scratch his neck.”

Sarah Ladd– “I always have to make sure I’m wearing a cross of some kind and touch it before going into the ring, like a last prayer. Lately this season, I’ve been wearing one made with the hair of my mare I lost last year. It gives me a sense of security that I know she’s in the ring with me when I’m competing.”

Colbi Jacobs– “Have a sip of water.”

Clairee Flynn– “Smile!”

Alex Ehrle– “Put on my own bridle and scratch my horse on the withers.”

@Ogrumisel– “Shoulders back!”

@KRWest149– “Get that one last coat of fly spray.”

@Abbylynnmehl– “Double check the pattern.”

@IzzyGrace2009– “Go over my pattern and breathe.”

@26grace.simpson– “Take a deep breath.”

@CC_PerformanceHorses– “Pray.”

@Copper_1der– “Take a moment to collect my thoughts, slow my breathing, and visualize the class.”

@KBachey_64– “Shake my whole body to get rid of the nerves.”

Jessica Woolsey– “Make sure that I know where my trainer (aka Mom) is standing. It helps ease my nerves.”

@E.N.Rankin– “Hugs with my horse.”

@Nicolazzorealtor– “Have my boots wiped off!”

@APHA_Tango_Sweetb– “Check the girth.”

@Han_Banann1515– “Listen to music to calm down.”

@HalterHorse101– “I need to have my lucky socks on.”

@AQHA_Mad6206– “Pull up my pants.”

@My_Fancy_Overo– “Say a prayer.”

@Kayla.v.74– “Have my lucky rings on and give my horse a pat.”

@Livvie_winter– “Hoof black.”

@tayb_13– “Take a deep breath.”

Be sure to answer the next Question of the Day on Equine Chronicle social media for the chance to be featured in an upcoming article.