Most riders are civilised people, yet we’ve all encountered the few who seemingly forget all about polite good manners and even safety when they get into a collecting ring at a show or event! Being generous, you could say they’re affected by ‘stress’, or that their horse or pony is being somewhat ‘difficult’, but at a time of year when competitions are restricted to the confines of indoor or all-weather arenas, collecting ring etiquette is even more important, so we’ve got a timely reminder of the rules everyone should follow ...
1. Always ride so that you meet an oncoming horse on the other rein left hand to left hand, which means the horse on the left rein will stay on the outside track and horse on the right rein will move in to the inside track.
Ideally riders should aim to ride all in the same direction, which at an increasing number of jumping shows, is now mandatory.
2. Jump the warm up fences the correct way – white flag on the left, red flag on the right and look ahead to ensure you can jump – and land – safely. Remember too that you do not ‘own’ the practice fences whilst warming up!
3. The horse in the faster pace has priority on the outside track, so if you are in a slower pace, stay on the inside track. Riders executing lateral work will expect priority, subject to polite commonsense.
4. All halts should be well off the track and ideally mount and dismount outside of the collecting ring.
5. It is not safe to lunge in an indoor collecting ring and most shows will expressly forbid it.
6. There are times when you will need to announce to other riders what your intention is – for example – ‘passing on your left’ (when you come up behind another rider you can see is on a somewhat nervous or sharp horse) or ‘jumping the oxer’ or ‘medium on diagonal’, but always remember you do need to share the available space and be generous with the right of way where you can.
7. Most riders will use voice commands to help warm up their horse, but some of these, as we all know, will mean the same thing to other horses and their riders will not appreciate your loud voice influencing their horse! Be as quiet as possible and tactful about timing.
The same thing applies to using your whip. Long schooling whips can seriously upset other horses and sharp smacks with a short whip are just as much of a problem. A collecting ring is for everyone, so think what you’re doing.
8. Although it’s much nicer to stay under cover on a wet and windy day, horses and people standing about in a collecting ring is invariably not safe. Shows may well have a rule preventing this – and the same applies to helpers on foot. If you are not actively adjusting practice fences or adjusting tack, stay out of the way. ALL spectators should be in the viewing galleries, not the collecting ring.
9. Give space to any rider clearly having a problem. Remember next time it could be you having an issue and the last thing you need is other competitors making it more difficult for your horse. However an indoor collecting ring means horses are in close proximity, so it is definitely not the place for a horse that may kick. Red ribbons will tell everyone that you know you have a problem and you will be liable for the consequences of any accident.
10. If you do lose concentration and cut someone up, remember to say sorry! It’s easy to do and makes all the difference. If you are repeatedly seen to be selfish and rude, you may just find your entries are refused in the future.
11. Finally, remember to say ‘thank you’ to the steward. He or she has given up a day to make it possible for the show to run. Don’t be ‘the collecting ring nightmare’; it’s much easier to remain polite and courteous and then everyone can have an enjoyable day!
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