For many horses, training clinics are a situation very similar to real competition conditions. A new venue, a large arena, decorated obstacles, intense stimuli, and working under the guidance of a demanding trainer can quickly reveal how a horse copes with emotions and concentration. In these conditions, support that helps the horse focus better on the tasks at hand and make the most of the training becomes especially important.

Testing Hempqualizer Compete during the clinics with Nicola Danner, held on March 7–8, 2026, a trainer from Germany specializing in Working Equitation and Dressage, an international top-level Category 3* Working Equitation judge, and co-founder of the German Working Equitation Federation.

Especially for the participants, the organizer provided conditions as close as possible to those at a competition. The training sessions took place in a large competition arena, and participants had access to full Working Equitation competition obstacles with complete decoration, exactly as they would appear during an event.

Some participants were already familiar with Hempqualizer products, while others were introduced to them only during the clinics. Nicola focused on work on the basic dressage foundation, the results of which participants then tested on the Working Equitation obstacles.

Opinions from participants who used Hempqualizer Compete with their horses for the first time:

Anna Skrzypek and PLUTO

The participant knows the product very well and uses it regularly with another horse she has in training, but for Pluto this was his first experience with Hempqualizer. Pluto is a Lipizzaner with a strong baroque build, great strength, and equally strong emotions in response to various external stimuli. He is pleasant and kind on a daily basis, but also quite spooky and easily distracted. Training in an arena full of colorful obstacles and waving flags was a major challenge. After using Hempqualizer Compete, Pluto remained focused on his rider throughout the entire training session, which made it possible to work through the assigned lessons thoroughly and collect many valuable notes for homework.

Katarzyna Nauman Zuchowicz and ESPIGA

ESPIGA is a PRE mare, just under 7 years old, with a fiery Spanish temperament. The first training session took place without Hempqualizer Compete, while on the second day the product was administered. The participant was introduced to the product only during the clinics and was happy to give it a try. On the first day, there was a problem with keeping the horse’s attention on the assigned exercises, as well as frequent neighing after other horses. The mare is intelligent and willing to fulfill the rider’s requests, but when overwhelmed by emotions, she needs time to relax. Her high level of nervousness at the beginning caused problems with fluidity and carrying out the tasks effectively. On the second day, after receiving Hempqualizer Compete, Espiga began cooperating with her rider much more quickly, which allowed for a far more effective use of the clinic, and in addition, she neighed only once during the entire training session. An extra benefit turned out to be a faster-than-usual loading into the trailer after the clinics, as well as no allergic reaction, which had previously happened often with new products.

Wiktoria Poręba and ALMONTEÑO JMP

Almonteño JMP is an energetic PRE horse, and the participant has only been working with him since February of this year, so they are still gradually getting to know each other. On the first day, Almonteño JMP’s attention was distracted by the elements present in the arena. He was quite brave and slowly became familiar with all the obstacles, but he remained somewhat tense, and his focus on the rider’s aids was not consistent. On the second day, with a strong focus on working through basic dressage elements, Almonteño JMP remained attentive and cooperative with the rider. A horse who until now had been excitable and not yet entirely predictable allowed the rider to feel a greater sense of confidence and both physical and mental control.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hempqualizer Compete proved to be excellent support for hot horses and those that react strongly to external stimuli. It made it possible to get the maximum benefit from training with a top-class specialist and to work through all the planned elements without losing time on helping the horses relax and settle in new and challenging conditions.

When can Hempqualizer Compete be helpful?

Hempqualizer Compete may be particularly helpful in situations where a horse is working in a new, intense environment and is easily distracted by external stimuli. This applies especially to hot, emotional horses, young competition horses, or those that need more time to adapt to unusual training or competition conditions.

The product may support horses that have difficulty concentrating on the rider in new places, overreact to their surroundings, take a long time to relax, or are unable to fully benefit from training because of tension. In such cases, its role is not to take away the horse’s energy, but to help it reach a state of readiness for work more quickly and achieve greater emotional stability.

Hempqualizer Compete can therefore be a valuable support during clinics, competitions, away training sessions, and anywhere the goal is to make the very best use of working time with the horse without losing quality, concentration, or connection with the rider.