by Maggie Junkin
I'm thirteen years old and have been horse showing since I
was four. I started doing the rated hunter shows when I was seven. It hasn’t been that long, but long enough for
me to have a few pet peeves. So here they are... my list of Do’s and Don’ts for
the Junior Rider.
Do: Say please, thank you, and excuse me.
Don’t: Be entitled;
the world doesn’t owe you a thing.
Do: Be thoughtful and courteous to horse show personnel. Most work longer days than you do.
Don't: Forget to congratulate fellow competitors when they do well.
Don't: Forget to congratulate fellow competitors when they do well.
Do: Wish others Good Luck… and mean it.
Don’t: Critique others ringside for all to hear.
Do: Pick up after yourself. No trashing the show grounds.
Don’t: Whine, scream or throw tantrums. No one wants to hear it.
Do: Thank your parents.
Don’t: Cry unless you are hurt or bleeding. (Disclaimer: Unless you have had the worst
trip of your life, then sneak into the nearest porta potty and break out the
tissues.)
Do: Show good sportsmanship.
Don’t: Show a temper.
Do: Be prepared. Get up early, stop by the ring and take
photos of your courses and learn them. Be ready.
Don’t: Hold up the ring when after what felt like a 100
trips, they are finally ready to jog.
Do: Thank your trainer.
Don’t: Talk back to your trainer.
Do: Thank your siblings if they got dragged along.
Don’t: Gossip or spread rumors.
Do: Love your pony or horse even when things go wrong. I
would like to see the big kiss or pat on the neck of an animal that missed a
lead, knocked a rail, or spooked a little in the corner. Love them even when you
don’t win!
Don’t: Create drama.
Do: Thank your parents, again.
Don’t: Obsess about your score or placing. Furthermore,
don’t worry about your competitor’s scores either.
Do: Set personal goals and conquer them.
Don’t: Take your anger out on your horse.
Do: Be humble. Some of us look up to you!
Don’t: Blame your horse or pony for your mistakes.
Do: Be a positive role model.
Maggie Junkin competes in the Children’s Hunters with her horse, Tommy Bahama. She lives with her family, 5 dogs, and 3 cats in Jenkintown, Pa.