Hempqualizer Compete is a supplement for sport horses that eases nervousness and stress reactions during competitions, without dampening the horse's natural energy and temperament. It works well for horses that cope poorly with travel to shows: weaving and circling in an unfamiliar stall, calling out to familiar horses, "looking" in the show ring, or spooking away from things that frighten them.

Competition stress is one of the most common problems in equestrian sports. An unfamiliar stall, noise, new smells, and a course full of distractions cause a sensitive horse to burn out emotionally before it even enters the competition arena, and instead of focusing on the round, the rider ends up fighting to maintain contact and control.

How does Hempqualizer Compete work in practice, under real competition conditions? We hand the floor to our tester, who tried it on two extremely different but equally demanding mares: a sensitive thoroughbred with a racing past and episodes of bolting, and a strong, six-year-old Zangersheide who is terrified of the bushes around the competition arena.

Mare Decidela, thoroughbred off the track, 9 years old. Oberlina, Zangersheide, 6 years old.

Deci, Dorotka to her friends, is very sensitive. She's the stereotypical thoroughbred who burns out quickly and explodes. She has episodes of bolting behind her, including at competitions. On any trip away, her biggest challenge is being in an unfamiliar stall she can't look out of to see what's going on around her — she starts weaving, circling nervously, and calling out to familiar horses. On the course itself, she's a very forward-going horse who also "looks." Over the last two trips, she was given Hempqualizer Compete right after arriving at the show grounds. In both cases, her nervousness eased. In the stall she's calmer, although it should still be left ajar so she can look out into the aisle. The biggest improvement is visible on the course — she's fast, but responds to the rider's signals and can be smoothly guided.

The second horse that tested Hempqualizer Compete is Oberlina (Gienia to her friends), 6 years old, Zangersheide. A mare with a big temperament who, for her part, is afraid of any bushes on the other side of the arena fence. Leading a large and very strong horse that jumps sideways is a genuinely significant challenge. What mattered to me was that she be able to concentrate on the task, rather than on a bush 10 metres away having moved. After Hempqualizer Compete was given, the fears may not have disappeared 100%, but I was able to complete a clear round, because the "fear" reactions were milder, which let me ride past the problem spots. We did the lap of honour on a completely loose rein.

What effects did Hempqualizer Compete produce at the show?

For both mares, the easing of nervousness was visible after just the first dose, right after arriving at the show grounds:

• Dorotka (thoroughbred, 9 years old) — calmer in an unfamiliar stall, and on the course, despite her naturally "strongly forward-going" way of going, she responded to the rider's signals and could be guided smoothly.
• Gienia (Zangersheide, 6 years old) — her fear reactions became mild enough that, for the first time, she managed a clear round on a course surrounded by bushes that frighten her, and rode the lap of honour on a loose rein.

Importantly, the supplement didn't change the horses' character or "switch off" their energy — and that's exactly its role. Hempqualizer Compete blunted the edge of their nervousness just enough for both mares to focus on the task and show the full extent of their abilities.

If your horse loses its head when travelling to shows, and its temperament makes it hard to work with on the course, Hempqualizer Compete could be the missing piece of your competition puzzle.