When i got my mare she had done one or two shows. We got her one weekend and the next we were at a horse show. Could this make her not like to show? At every Show she fights to go in the arena to an extent and she cant wait to get out of it.  Could this cause her not to like shows?

Thanks for the help.

It's clear this horse hasn't been to enough shows yet to understand what's going on. Plus she hadn't even had a chance to adjust to her new home surroundings and develop confidence in a new rider before she was hauled off to another show. That's asking a bit much from anything but a seasoned veteran show horse. Give her some stability and consistency at home first and then a full season of showing before you jump to any conclusions about what the horse does or doesn't "like". ~FH

Something that might help is to just take her to a show early enough to get her comfortable in the arena before she has to be in a real class that you paid for. Also, spend some time around the entrance and let her relax, but stay out of other people's way that are going in/out. This might help the rider calm down, as she may just be picking up on her rider's nerves.

Another thing is the arena can be quite a lively place with the spectators clapping and the announcer blaring. So just going and hanging out around that noise should help her calm down. When I used to show, we would sometimes bring the green horse even if we weren't showing and just ride around the grounds and in the warm up arena to get them used to the busy environment, but without the pressure of a real class. If you live close to an arena that frequently has events, haul her to them and just ride around the chaos. A few quiet rides in and out of the gate so that it becomes "old hat" and then go home.

Also, she may be very smart and anticipate that in a real class, the gate is the end of the class,and the rider is less apt to correct her, so she tries to hustle out. Some training such as dismounting before exiting would help, as well as if you do a "schooling class" or two. Make sure the show staff are aware of what you are doing and be sure not to disrupt other horses that are competing.  But you can go to the center of the arena, get off/on and stop somewhere besides the gate during a class. This gets her in the real class, but not allowed to get away with anything.

Just changing  a few things now will help prevent more problems.

   if this horse hasnt had much show experience under her you do not want to burn her out on shows. as for her not wanting to go into the gate  i have the same problem. i basically have to back my gelding into the gate and when the gate is opened he will do about anything he can to get through it. at the beginning of the season he will be fine and go through the gates without a problem but the further through the season we get the worse he gets at it. when this begins to happen we will haul him to the fair about once every two weeks and we open the gates and ill take him in do some rail work then take him back out maybe ride around the fair then take him back to the arena and take him back through the gates

If your horse has only been to one or two shows, she is still green.  If you show at a particular arena, see if you can practice there by yourself so the horse gets used to the environment.  If you can't do that, get there early on show day so you can warm up in the arena.

When we aquired our showhorse, he was used to going to the big AQHA shows where you get stalls overnight.  When we took him to a day show where he has to stand tied next to the trailer (there are no stalls at the local fairgrounds), well, he just gets miffed!  We show at two local arenas, and he's ok at one, but the other... well.... he simply hates it.  So, we don't show there anymore.  If we go to a big show where there is a covered arena, or inside an airconditioned arena, he's perfect!  Er... can you say "spoiled"?  LOL!!!   

I agree with FlaHorseman.  The horse has to get used to going to shows and getting comfortable with everything.