When we think of the Warm-Up Ring, words like insanity, no rules, free-for-all and chaos come to mind. Horses moving every which way; riders randomly stopping to get a drink, pin on a number or get some more fly spray; traffic jams, fresh hot bloods snorting and performing airs above the ground, anxious ammies, and yelling trainers. Everybody is focused on themselves, and emotions flare.
As a warm-up ring survivor, I know it can be a scary place. But, taking the time to learn some general etiquette and easy-to-follow rules will help you and others around you stay safe and be more comfortable!
Lunging
Avoid lunging in the middle of the riding crowd if at all possible. There is too much that can go wrong. Most shows will have a dedicated lunging area. Often at open shows, the main arena will be open before the show and during breaks to offer more space to spread out safely.
Left to Left
As a general rule, riders passing each other head-on should pass left hand to left hand, similar to if you were driving on the road (in the USA). Keep this in mind to avoid dodging back and forth, trying to guess which way someone is going.
Note: Some shows will have a schedule for which direction everyone should ride while working in the warm-up pen. You can ask someone at the entry booth if there is such a schedule, then make sure you adhere to it for the safety of everyone in the arena.
If there is no directional schedule, do your best to try to move with the traffic. Be aware of which direction the majority of riders are traveling and work in the same direction, when possible, to avoid collisions and ease confusion.
What Spot for What Speed
Watch the way traffic is flowing: Typically, faster-moving horses will travel furthest from the rail in the center track (think cantering, loping, long trotting, etc.), jogging/trotting on the middle track, and walking on the rail. Faster riders should pass on the inside when possible.
If you need to stop while riding in the warm-up pen, do not just stop right on the track (unless it’s an emergency). Check for horses and riders around and behind you, then move out to the rail. Or, even better, exit the ring, especially if you are hanging out waiting for a class, reviewing a pattern, or reapplying fly spray.
Eyes Up!
This is more than just something your trainer tells you to look pretty in your horsemanship or equitation class. This is very important for your safety and those around you. If you are looking at the ground, in between your horse’s ears, or down at his shoulder in a last-ditch effort to check leads or diagonals, you miss a lot. You cannot see the rider slamming the brakes in front of you, the horse who just stepped on his rein to your right and is backing up, panicked, right at you, or the speed demon coming up on you from behind. Keep your eyes up, your ears open, and your head on a swivel. Ride defensively, but be prepared to yield the right of way.
Leave the Phone at the Stall
In the same mindset of “Eyes Up," keep your phone at the stall. Distracted riding not only makes things more dangerous for those around you, but also does nothing for training your horse. When you’re in the saddle, you should be focused on your horse and where you are going.
Know Your Colors
See a red ribbon in a horse's tail? The iconic red ribbon in the tail is a signal to other riders to stay away from that horse’s rear end; it means that he kicks. If your horse tends to be a little aggressive towards passing horses, or you don’t feel comfortable being crowded by other riders, it's a good idea to put a red ribbon in your horse's tail. Be honest with yourself about how your horse reacts: Is he prone to spooking or bucking when horses get too close to his haunches? Does he strike out or react uncomfortably? It's okay to use a ribbon. This helps keep everybody safe, especially you!
Offer right of way to the greenest horse. Often, the greenest horse in the ring is easy to spot—he may be extra spooky, exhibit erratic movement and tail flagging, snorting, etc. Be kind and give the pair plenty of space all around them, almost like they’re in a bubble. Prepare to allow the green horse and rider to pass when you need to and avoid passing too close or cutting them off, etc. Green horses can be prone to sudden movements that can be a challenge for their rider to control.
Communicate
Communication is so important! You must be loud so other riders can hear you, if you are passing close (or in another unusual way) it is courteous to warn the rider who you are riding up on in a way that they might not expect. For example, you can say "coming up from inside" or "passing outside."
If there are jumps, listen and make sure that no one else has called the one you plan to approach. Call out the name of the fence, "red cross rail," loudly so that the other riders can hear. Pay attention and don't cut across another rider's path on approach or in the landing zone behind the fence.
The plight of the warm-up ring varies from location to location and show circuit to show circuit. One show might have multiple rings you can choose from, thus spreading out the crowds to be more manageable. Another show might have structured warm-up times. And, yet another might be that free-for-all that includes every one of the worst-case scenarios. If it's your first show or first show season, don't let it overwhelm you. Take a buddy with you and follow their lead. If you're a horse show veteran, keep an eye out for the novices who are just looking for a little direction: have a little patience and help them out. When it all comes down to it, we're all just there to spend time with our horse and prove to ourselves that we are a better rider than we were the day before. Good luck!
