Preparing for a show

[Johanna&Yorkie:)]

The Showing season nearly here, and i am soooo excited but, how can i prepare my Ex-Racer for a show??( yorkies only raced twice, he was to laid back for racing)
He IS un-believably laid back and has a wonderful temprement, but when he's in the stable he gets quite agitated with people shouting and chaos.

We have had a Minnie show at my yard,( we are having another one, at half-term which will also help me and him prepare) and even the red-arrows flew over and he didn't flinch, it was chaotic but not as chaotic as i know a show can be,,,

We would obviously only be taking him in small show, and keeping him in-hand to start with.
Yorkie has surprised us in millions of ways by not re-acting to things that we thought he would. And he may shock us and be absolutely fine in a show. But i just want to make sure that i have prepared him well enough.

[sarahbing]

You are very sensible to think about preparing him first. If I were you, I would set small achievable goals. How about aiming to have him load comfortably both ways, walk him around at the show, and come home for the first outing. You don't even have to enter a class if you don't want too much pressure the first time. then you can build up in small steps. Suitable classes early in the day are a good idea, before it gets too busy, and small friendly shows where you can be relaxed and enjoy it.
With his temprement, you will soon feel like old hands!

Enjoy, after all, competing should be fun for both of you

[Mellymoo]

Agree with sarah - take him along and see how he is. When I took Jos out first time (after owning him 4 days!) it was a smallish show, just fun. He was fine when we unloaded, so I entered a class. Spent time walking around with him, let him eat some grass, and went into the ring with no pressure (it was my first show as well!).

If your chap has been racing, he should be fine with the show noises - tannoy, etc. Good luck, and pics needed!!