What is the role of a riding instructor during competitions?

The role of a riding instructor during competitions is to prepare and support both students and horses. This entails providing guidance and assistance leading up to and during the event, ensuring that the students feel confident and well-prepared. An instructor typically helps to warm up the horse, coach the rider on techniques, and offer mental support throughout the competition. This supportive role is critical for fostering a positive experience and ensuring that students perform to the best of their abilities.

While choosing the best horse for each student may be part of an instructor's overall responsibilities, it is not specifically their role in competitions, which focuses more on preparation and support. Similarly, giving prizes to winners is typically the responsibility of event organizers, not instructors. Competing on behalf of students does not align with the instructor's role, as their focus should be on student performance rather than personal competition. Thus, the emphasis on preparation and support highlights the instructor’s primary function in a competitive setting.