Focus on Tournament Preparation: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Start

Tournament preparation as a whole and as a whole

If you want to present your horse at shows , there are a few things you need to think about when preparing for a show . In the following article, we take a closer look at the individual stages of show preparation. We will not only explain the requirements that need to be met, for example to be entered in equestrian sport competitions, but also give you some practical tips along the way.

By the term "show preparation" we mean, on the one hand, the bureaucratic preparations, such as entering shows and declaring readiness to compete, but also the preparation of horse and rider. Preparatory training and horse and leather care play an important role here. At the end of our article you will find a free downloadable checklist. It is designed to help you prepare for the show. ‍

What requirements must be met to enter a tournament?

One of the most important preparations for a tournament start is the entry. Tournaments can usually be entered online. It is essential to check the tournament rules:

• Performance Test Regulations (LPO) - for competitive show jumping
• Competition regulations (WBO) - for popular sport and beginner competitions

LPO tournaments: Important requirements

If you would like to take part in an LPO tournament, the following requirements apply:

• Your horse must be listed with the FN as a competition horse.
• A free trial license is sufficient for class E.
• For classes A or higher, an annual tournament license is required for a fee.
• The required riding badge must be submitted to obtain the license.
• Entries are made via the FN's "Entry Online" portal.

WBO tournaments: Fewer restrictions

The starting conditions for WBO tests are less strict:

• No show license, no riding badge and no registration of the horse is required.
• The conditions of participation should nevertheless be observed, as membership of a riding club is often required.
• Entries must be made using the WBO entry form or - if provided by the organizer - also online.

Compulsory vaccination and other requirements

Regardless of the tournament rules:

• The horse must be vaccinated against influenza and herpes viruses. This vaccination is a mandatory requirement for participation.
• All detailed conditions of participation are listed in the respective tournament announcement of the organizer.

Division into performance classes

There are different test classes in the various disciplines to ensure fair competition between riders of similar ability. Classification into performance classes is based on the riding badge. The following table shows in which classes you can start with your riding badge.

The final training session before the big day

Competition preparation with a view to the final training session can be organized very differently. What the training looks like depends not only on the rider himself, but also on his level of performance.

Not all riders use the last training session before the tournament to prepare for a task, individual lessons or a course. Some riders prefer to take a more relaxed approach to the unit before the tournament and use the time for a quiet ride, for example, so as not to overstimulate the horse's muscles. After all, who needs sore muscles at the show?

However, the last training before the start is never the only decisive factor for a successful tournament preparation. A training plan tailored to you and your horse, on the other hand, increases your performance in the long term and thus leads much more to success.

➡️ Video tip: How much training does a horse need?
‍Everyhorse has individual needs when it comes to training. But how often, for how long and with what intensity should they be trained? Matthias Bojer from the German Sport University Cologne provides valuable insights into the most important factors for effective and sustainable training. Find out how to give your horse the best possible support without overtaxing it!

Leather care

Even if a tournament is still a sporting event and not a beauty contest, the external appearance is the first impression and, as the saying goes, you eat with your eyes. This means that preparation for a tournament not only includes training and bureaucratic matters such as naming, but also leather care. 

• The first step is to disassemble your bridle and saddle. To help you with this, we recommend that you take a photo of your equipment beforehand. This will help you to reassemble your equipment at the end. 
• Before you reach for the leather care product, you should clean the leather of your saddle and bridle with saddle soap, for example. 
• After cleaning, take the leather grease and use it to care for the leather. Make sure to use the grease in doses. In the worst case, too much grease can cause the leather to swell. 
• Wipe off excess leather care with a dry cloth. 
• Also clean your stirrups and the bit. You can also use a root brush to clean the foot plate of the stirrup. 
• Reassemble everything in the last step. 

By the way, it is recommended to properly clean and grease the leather equipment at regular intervals of about two to three months. This is the only way to keep the leather supple and prevent it from becoming brittle.
If you are not sure whether you are allowed to use your equipment at the show, you can check the Equipment Catalog of the FN for information on approval.‍

Horse care

Not only should your equipment be polished before the start of the show, but you also want your horse to look great on your big day. 

• Wash your horse with a horse shampoo. 
• Brush your horse and give him a relaxing massage.
• Braid your horse for at least dressage and style jumping competitions.
• With the use of hoof oil and the use of a shine spray, you can still give your horse the final touch.‍

How can readiness to start be declared?

Before we tell you how to declare your readiness to start, we would like to draw your attention to check the health condition of your horse. The physical integrity of your horse is the most important thing. You should only present your horse at the show if it is in excellent health. Therefore, be sure to check the health of your horse before you declare your readiness to start!

As a rule, you can declare your readiness to start at the latest one hour before the respective test. Sometimes, however, the deadline is already the day before the test. We advise you to inform yourself about the deadline as early as possible. The readiness to start can be declared in different ways. For example, you can call the registration office of the tournament and have yourself checked off. You can also register online or go to the registration office on site and let them know that you will be starting.‍

Loading made easy

Once all the show preparations have been made, the journey to the show can begin. Now all you have to do is load your horse. With experienced horses, this can be done within a few minutes. With other horses, however, loading can be a real challenge. If you are aware that your horse is difficult to load, you should definitely incorporate loading training into your daily work. Especially in medical emergencies, it can be vital that your horse enters the trailer quickly. Because then every second counts!

➡️ Video tip: Loading made easy - with a plan in the trailer
‍Loadingcan quickly become a stress factor - but with the right strategy, it becomes routine. Trainer Luuk Teunissen shows how to get the horse used to the trailer step by step so that loading is calm and relaxed. Particularly important: the first steps on the ramp! Learn how to give your horse confidence and master typical problems with confidence.

Mental training before the start of the tournament

Many riders are very nervous when it comes to starting at a tournament. This is where mental training can help.
So-called "mental training" refers to various psychological coaching methods designed to promote and strengthen a person's various competencies and skills. Social and mental competencies as well as mental abilities, resilience and well-being can be promoted.

For whom is mental training interesting? Mental training can help in a wide variety of scenarios and is suitable for a broad target group. It has many advantages, which we would like to list for you at a glance:

• Increasing the ability to concentrate
• Strengthening self-confidence
• Identification and elimination of stress triggers
• Recognition of anxiety triggers
• Improving the relationship with the horse 
• Identification of own strengths

Mental coach Judith Diekmann explained to us that mental training is used for a wide variety of scenarios. Some riders use this method to develop themselves in concrete learning tasks. By this she means, things that are not yet working so well, but should be worked on further. Another scenario is negative experiences that we associate with a bad experience and therefore want to avoid. Also, the expectation of oneself from oneself or that which one thinks is brought to one by outside people is an issue that can be improved in mental training. 

➡️ Video tip: Starting in higher classes without stress - this is how it works!
‍Jumpinginto a higher class can be mentally challenging - even if horse and rider are well prepared. Judith Diekmann explains why exam stress arises and gives valuable tips on how to get it under control. Get to know mental strategies to compete with more composure and self-confidence!

Rob Ehrens is the national coach of the Dutch show jumping team. He described to us how riders should deal with setbacks. It is difficult when the results get worse and worse from tournament to tournament. However, according to Rob Ehrens, a change in training does not necessarily lead back to success. Rather, he recommends approaching this situation with calm and without panic. You should not deviate from your plan and continue to train hard. Since we are working with a living being, not everything is predictable. Even if the rider is in his top form, it can always happen that the horse, for example, lets his leg hang down over the jump and thus the bar falls. Therefore, it does not help to panic. If you enjoy riding, you will perform well and then the successes will come all by themselves. Besides, nervousness before shows disappears as soon as you go to shows more often and become more experienced.‍

Show preparation for dressage riders

If you have named a dressage test, you should know that you may need to memorize the task. Repeat the task as often as possible in your daily life to memorize it better. For example, use the time when brushing your teeth to go over the task in your head or run it by yourself in your living room. Record the task on a sheet of paper and graph it. Figure out for yourself the best way to memorize the task. It can also be helpful to think of mnemonic devices.

You can find the most common tasks illustrated in the media library of our Academy. It's worth taking a look here, because in our videos you will also learn what the judges pay special attention to and in which lessons you should be particularly attentive.

Walk the course

As a show jumper, you have the opportunity to walk the course before you start. This inspection usually takes place about 15 minutes before the start of the competition.

Important points during the course inspection

• Wear tournament clothing : Show up in your tournament clothing.
• Take a close look at the obstacles: Take your time to think about which routes you want to ride.
• Plan distances: Decide what distances you want between jumps.
• Distances pacing:
  • A large step corresponds to about one meter.
  • The horse lands approx. two meters after the jump.
  • A gallop jump is around 3.5 meters.
• Adjust speed and rhythm:
  • When you set off, plan when you need to take your horse back or send it forward in order to hit the distances optimally.
• Consider time jumps : If you are riding for time, think about where you can cut paths short.

Memorize the course

• Use obstacle colors as a memory aid: Memorize the course by remembering distinctive colors or obstacle sequences.
• Use training : Practice measuring distances and memorizing courses during training to become more confident.

➡️ Video tip: Walk & ride the course with Ludger Beerbaum's team
A successful ride starts with walking the course! At EQUITANA 2019, Ludger Beerbaum explains what is important, what options are available on the course and how different rider-horse pairs design their rounds. A must for anyone who wants to improve their course strategy!

Your tournament can come!

Now you know the most important things to keep in mind when preparing for your tournament. As promised, we also attach our checklist for a successful tournament day. It should serve you as a reminder and ensure that you can start your tournament weekend more relaxed from now on. Feel free to write to us on our social media channels and tell us about your tournament. We wish you every success and keep your fingers crossed!

Important questions and answers

How tight do breeches need to be?

Breeches should be close-fitting but not constricting. They must offer enough freedom of movement to sit comfortably and optimize contact with the horse. Breeches that are too wide can cause creases and chafing, while breeches that are too tight restrict movement.

What are the costs for the FN success data?

The FN offers various fee-based packages for viewing performance data. The prices vary depending on the desired scope of the data. A detailed price list is available on the FN website.

How often can a horse compete at a show?

The number of starts per horse is regulated by the LPO and WBO . It depends on the type of tournament, the discipline and the performance class. This is to prevent overloading the horse.

How long does it take to register with "Nennung Online"?

You can register with"Nennung Online" in just a few minutes. However, activation may take a few days, as certain data must be checked.

What does the entry via "Entry online" cost?

The fees for the entry depend on the type of tournament and the respective tests. Additional processing fees may apply. An overview of the costs is available on"Entry Online".

How often can a horse compete at a WBO tournament?

The starting limits for WBO tournaments are less strict than for LPO tournaments. As a rule, the organizer decides on the maximum number of starts per horse.

How many vaccinations does the basic immunization in horses include?

The basic immunization consists of three vaccinations against influenza and herpes:

1. First vaccination
2. Second vaccination after 4 to 6 weeks
3. Third vaccination after 5 to 6 months
   Regular booster vaccinations are then required.

How does FN success data work?

The FN success data records and documents the sporting successes of riders and horses at LPO tournaments. The data can be accessed for a fee and is used to track placings and performance levels.

What do I call "Naming online"?

1. Registration on"Entry online"
2. Login and selection of the desired tournament
3. Select tests for rider and horse
4. Pay fees and confirm entry

How often can a four-year-old horse compete?

According to the LPO , four-year-old horses may compete in a maximum of three tests per day in order to avoid excessive demands.

How much does a tetanus vaccination for a horse cost?

The costs vary depending on the vet, region and manufacturer of the vaccine. On average, a tetanus vaccination for a horse costs between 30 and 60 euros.

How are you named in "Naming online"?

Riders are registered with their FN account. Entries are made using the registered name, under which the tournament results are also recorded.

Which snaffles are LPO-approved?

As a rule, English, Swedish and Hanoverian nosebands as well as double and single broken bits are permitted. Details on the exact equipment can be found in the current LPO regulations.

What does LPO 1 mean?

The term"LPO 1" is not used explicitly. As a rule, it refers to the first performance class (LK 1), which corresponds to the highest sporting requirements.

What is the difference between LPO and WBO?

• LPO: regulates competitive show jumping with strict requirements for riders, horses and equipment.
• WBO: Applies to popular sport, is more flexible and suitable for beginners.

How many tests may a horse start per day according to the LPO?

Different limits apply depending on the age and type of test. As a rule, a horse may not complete more than three tests per day.

Who is allowed to ride LPO?

Anyone who has a valid annual show license and competes with a show horse registered with the FN.

What does paragraph 66 of the LPO regulate?

§ Section 66 of the LPO deals with the starting requirements for riders and horses, including license requirements, performance level and age limits.

Which bits are LPO-approved?

Allowed are classic water snaffles, olive head bits, D-ring snaffles as well as certain curb bits and bits with a tongue-free bit. A complete list can be found in the LPO .

How much is the prize money for LPO tournaments?

The prize money varies depending on the tournament, performance class and test level. In higher classes, several thousand euros can be paid out, while in lower classes there are often only non-cash prizes or small sums of money.

What do I need for a WBO tournament?

• A healthy horse with valid vaccinations
• Proper registration with the organizer
• Compliance with the conditions of participation of the tournament
• Membership of a riding club is often required

How often can a horse compete at a WBO tournament?

The rules vary, but there is usually no strict limit as long as the horse remains in good health. Organizers often set their own guidelines for the number of starts.

How do I fill out a WBO nomination form?

1. Rider details: name, address, riding club
2. Horse details: name, sex, age
3. Exam selection: Select the desired exams
4. Enclose signature and proof of payment if applicable
5. Submission by mail or online to the organizer