Cherwell Competition Centre

What an amazing day of showing today, the ponies were glossy, the competitors prepared and the rain stayed away (bar a few drops!)

Huge congratulations and thank you to every partnership, we know the hours that went into getting ready to shine today and it showed through

Approximate times for the showing classes tomorrow are:

Ring One:

9am - In Hand Veteran
9.20am - In Hand Youngstock
9.40am - In Hand M + M
10. 20am - In Hand MHC
10.40am - In Hand RoR
11am - In Hand Best Condition
11.30am - In Hand Best Coloured
12. 15pm - In Hand Cob
12.40pm - In Hand Pony

Ring Two:

9am - Lead Rein
9.20am - First Ridden
9.40am - Coloured
10.15am - Veteran
11am - M + M
11.30am - RoR
11.50am - Cob
12.15pm - Hunter / Pony

These are indicators and times may move back slightly as classes progress.

Please allow plenty of time to park and get ready.

Good luck with your show prep and look forward to seeing you all tomorrow 🙂

As well as the fun packed horse show on Monday 31st August, did you know we are also running the Cherwell Dog show.

Large or small, bring your doggy four legged friends to shine in the show ring.
Entries taken on the day at Maudes Cabin.

Calling all Sundays Showjumpers - your times are out and are posted on MY RIDING LIFE.

Times won't be posted on our website for this weekends event.

Just a reminder to get your entries in for Monday’s Summer Family Showing Show.

We’re looking forward to a lovely day of showing, with two rings running from 9am and classes for all ages, abilities and types of horse.

We’ve got Ridden and In-Hand classes including Veterans, Youngstock, Cobs, Coloureds, Junior and Family classes, plus plenty more.

Whether you’re a regular at Cherwell or joining us for the first time, we’d love to see you there.

Entries via My Riding Life - https://www.myridinglife.com/eventdetails.aspx?id=551802@

Get your entries in and come and spend Bank Holiday Monday with us 🏆

With Show day fast approaching, we thought it would be helpful to share some hints and tips to help you dazzle in the ring.

1. Leave enough time to prepare

Show prep normally starts in advance of the show. If you need to clip, this should be completed a few days before so you have time to tidy up any bits missed.

Similar, don't leave mane or tail tidying until the night before as this will increase your jobs to be done and take some enjoyment out of the event.

2. Remove dirt from your horses coat

A clean horse is noticeable and can really make you stand out. Bathing helps to clear the grease of the coat and helps to achieve a shiny coat.

If you are lucky to have a warm shower, this will make the job easier, however a cold hose will give good results with the right products.

For horses with feathers, the preparation is slightly more involved and may require a second shampoo, ideally with a purple shampoo to bring the white to the legs.

3. Deep clean tack

Often overlooked, a judge can tell if you have taken the time to cleanse and condition your tack.

This can be the difference between a placing and missing out in classes such as best turned out. You and your horse must be tidy and look the part.

4. Complete as many jobs the day before, to free up time on show day

Pack the trailer/lorry with your outfit, tack, spare head collar, water container, water bucket, haynets and treats.

If you need your grooming kit in the morning, make sure the brushes are clean so you groom your clean horse with clean brushes.

If you can trust your four legged friend to stay tidy, plait their mane and tail. Often these can quickly be rolled up the morning of the show for the final look.

Pack some snacks and drinks ready for you to enjoy during the show, often we forget to eat or are too nervous, so pack things that are easy to snack on.

5. To plait or not to plait

Your horse/pony type and the classes you are entering, will dictate if you need to plait.

As a rule of thumb, finer breeds should be plaited, this includes Hunters and Hacks.

Tail plaits can really finish the turnout beautifully, if not a smartly pulled tail will suffice.

Cobs should be hogged or plaited for classes to show their conformation correctly.

For any native sorts, including Mountain and Moorlands, these should be left natural. With the aim to show the abundance of mane and tail in free flowing form.

Youngstock should be prepared according to their type, so you may end up in a class with different approaches.

For lead rein, first ridden, best turned out - these all should have the horse/pony plaited.

For plaits in the mane, the number is always uneven (7, 9, 11 or 13) with the forelock creating an even number.

6. The morning of the show

Be prepared that your furry friend has enjoyed rolling in p**p or grass overnight and will need spot cleaning in the morning.

Avoid your final grooming prep until you get to the venue as they can get dirty on the journey and will need grooming when you arrive.

Finally, enjoy the preparation process as this is part of the fun of the event and be sure to take lots of pictures.

Even better, Alison Parker Photography will be there to capture your hard work in it’s full glory.

Still time to get your entries in for Sundays Unaffiliated Show Jumping.

Courses start at 40cm progressing up to 1.10m through the day - there are classes for all partnerships.

Booking closes 9am Saturday, with times released midday Saturday.

Click here to book - https://www.myridinglife.com/eventdetails.aspx?id=551790

What an exciting schedule we have planned for September.

With Autumn/Winter Dressage and Showjumping leagues starting, be sure to check out all the 2026 events in MY RIDING LIFE (Link below).

Dates for the diary:

■ 05/09: Unaffiliated Combined Training BD Tests

■ 06/09: Clear Round Show Jumping

■ 12/09: Unaffiliated Dressage inc Trailblazer & Cricklands Q

■ 13/09: British Dressage (P-GP/PYO FEI)

■ 23/09: Unaffiliated Dressage inc Trailblazer 1st & 2nd Round

■ 26/09: Unaffiliated Show Jumping inc applicable Qualifiers

Book now via the link - https://www.myridinglife.com/myridinglife/onlineentries.aspx

Look out for League information coming soon 🏆