There are some mundane parts of show day that we’d rather miss out on. Those annoying tasks, irritating encounters or cringe-worthy moments that we usually find ourselves trying to avoid like the plague.
While we’re all certainly having competition withdrawals, the absence of any events in the diary for the foreseeable has got us missing things we never thought we would.
Here are 9 unlikely things equestrians are missing about competitions…
1. Early starts
Lie ins just aren’t the same when you can have them every single day of the week. We miss setting off to a show before sunrise and getting home well after the sun has set, running solely on a mix of caffeine and adrenalin.
2. Burger van lunches
An overcooked cheese burger with a slither of onion has never sounded so good. You wouldn’t even mind paying some of the extortionate prices.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
3. Rosettes
Unless they’re red (or maybe blue) rosettes are usually forgotten about soon after they’re won and are either discarded or plonked in a drawer, never to be touched again. However, you promise that whatever colour of rosette you win next will be treasured forever.
4. Incurring penalties
Usually the most infuriating part of a day. But now you’d just be happy to be there jumping in company, so the odd pole or stop wouldn’t faze you in the slightest.
5. Traffic jams
You’ll be setting off for your next show super-duper early to ensure you couldn’t possibly get stuck in traffic that could prevent you from making your return to competition.
6. Ring delays
More time to spectate, shop and perhaps have a cheeky tipple or two before your class.
7. Your horse not going quite as planned
If lockdown has shown you anything it’s that we all have our bad days, our good days and our what the hell is going on days, and horses are entitled to them too. Hey, at least he’s having a good time!
That ‘I think I’m going to be sick’ feeling you get in your stomach before you go into the start box, ring or dressage arena? Yep, you’d give anything to have that back! Practicing at home just doesn’t get the nerves going the same.
9. Arguments
You even miss the bickering about who didn’t pack the right kit, who ate the last Haribo or who didn’t replace the coat shine spray as the bottle is completely empty.
We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
