Show ring issues

[GrumpyPony]

I am taking my connie to Newbury show in a couple of weeks and starting to feel the nerves as our last show did not go to plan at all....
My pony is a saint at home, steady and calm and generally fabulous. The last couple of smaller shows were fine too, he behaved well.
At our last show however, he was not a good pony....
The go round and individual bits were fine, but towards the end when the prize giiving was coming he started getting very silly, going backwards etc and jogging. Then before the next class he was really really silly, backwards, side ways, jogging etc and it was so bad that we had to leave the ring as I couldn't get him to calm down.

He is an experianced showing pony, he has done a lot of WH and his previous owner mentioned after the show he does get excited at the flat classes.
I am not the most confident rider and it was a bit of a knock for me....
Since then he has been to dressage outings and behaved perfectly, so I think its the atmosphere that got to him, he acts up when there is clapping too.

Is there any thing iIcan do to try and get "normal" pony at shows rather than excited hyped up pony?
We are bringing my instructor along but she can't help me in the ring!
Thanks,

[hs]

If his previous owner had the same problems maybe ask them for some tips on how they managed it?

[sjm]

hi have you tried earmuffs we, had to stuff our sp ears it helped her concentrate and maybe a calmer until he gets used to the differnt atmosphere.
does he have an itchy spot you could stratch in line up to distract him .

[crazychick]

You need to try and stay calm yourself, not always easy I know but nerves easily transmit to your pony.
I work for Topspec part time and hear of fantastic results from their calmer, you could try ringing the helpline - they are very helpful and give great advice.

[rubydoo]

i think the key to a calm pony is a good working in , a good half an hour really get focused on the task

[watchbank]

I agree with Jaimie! Also i scratch my mares shoulder whick keeps her focused on standing still as shes too busy enjoying it and forgets what she was doing x

[GrumpyPony]

Thanks for the help, I took my RI with me, and as predicted he was VERY excited at first but with her help we managed to ride through it, calm him down and get on with it thank god. Shame I spoilt it by riding like a tense numpty