When a tournament is on the horizon for the weekend, it always comes with excitement and tension. Early mornings, heading to the stable, getting the horse ready, packing everything up, and being punctual for the competition. Declaring readiness to start, unloading, bridling, saddling, warming up - stress can quickly build up. Add in the tournament atmosphere, and especially with inexperienced horses, it can lead to an exhilarating round in the competition. That's why it's crucial to keep your nerves in check before and during the event.

Three crucial steps for preparing for a tournament:

1. Create a checklist of all the items you need to pack to ensure nothing is forgotten.

2. Prepare as much as possible the night before - this will help avoid stress on the morning of departure. Once you have everything packed, you won't have to worry about it in the morning.

3. Establish a schedule to leave on time with your horse and allow enough time to warm up before the competition.

Take the pressure off at the tournament

Build trust with your horse.

Additionally, the warm-up areas can often be crowded. Especially with inexperienced or sensitive horses, it is crucial to provide security to the horse and avoid stressful situations. Maintain a safe distance from unfamiliar horses and try to position yourself in quieter areas.

Would you like to learn more about how horses react to stressful situations, how their flight instinct manifests, and how we as owners can make stress more manageable for our horses? Horses react differently to various stressors and exhibit individual behaviors. Download our new e-book with all stress symptoms now to dive deeper into understanding your horse's reactions.