Rules Of The Road: Warm-Up Ring Etiquette

I need to get on my soap box for a moment.

I have just come from yet another A show in which the warm up riding etiquette was atrocious. I had several people appeal to me for help, and I twice went to the stewards for support. Most of the incidents I observed, but once a young woman almost ran into me on Kingston as she abruptly decided to make a circle in front of us. (Thank goodness Kingston is a sensible young guy.)

Riders: We ALL need to know and abide by the rules of the road in warm up rings.

We don’t get our license to drive solo until we know all the rules and can pass the test. Riding in a warm up is very similar to being on the road in a metropolitan area—it’s not like you’re the only one on the road! You have to know the rules and also anticipate how the traffic will flow. Keeping everyone safe on the road is a collaborative effort, just like riding in a warm up ring.

I am going to review some basic rules that come to mind. I’m sure you’ll have more to add.

And, I want to note that we all make mistakes from time to time, myself included. But, in my experience there is more reckless riding in the warm up rings and a disregard for, or perhaps ignorance of, the rules.

Here are my top guidelines:

—Before you step into the warm up ring, either on foot or on horse, please look both ways, just like crossing the street.

—The rule of passing is LEFT to LEFT. The exception is if someone is jumping—then generally they will stay on the inside.

—If in doubt, CALL IT OUT! Don’t be afraid to say where you are going.

—If there are several warm up rings in succession, please do not casually canter from ring to ring. If you must come from one ring into another to approach a jump, make sure no one is coming and once again, call it out!

—Ride in a ring that is appropriate for the horse you’re on. If you’re riding a spicy 1.30m jumper, please refrain from schooling him in the hunter warm up when the low adult hunters are trying to get ready. You get the idea.

—Please don’t ride while you’re talking on the phone. Enough said.

Trainers: Please spend some time educating your riders on the rules.

When you are finished with your jump, please don’t walk directly in front of other riders who are jumping. I personally have had to pull up twice recently when a trainer walked across my path as I was approaching a jump.

Please be mindful of giving intricate lessons in the warm up rings when it’s busy. It’s just not fair to those who are actively showing.

Stewards: It’s your job to monitor and enforce the rules.

Stewards seem to be right on top of us if we forget to wear our number, but seem to not pay attention to the chaos that is happening in the warm up rings. Unfortunately, I think we need some policing, and perhaps some education.

I welcome your thoughts and additions. I want to stress again, that warm up ring riding is a collaborative effort. Let’s all stay safe, take care of each other and enjoy ourselves.