In This Chapter
- Discovering the inner workings of horse shows
- Exploring different types of horse shows
- Preparing to compete
If you love horseback riding and
have a competitive streak, you’ll soon start to gravitate toward horse shows.
These fun events test both the horse and rider and reward those who display the
most talent and evidence of hard work.
Horse shows are judged
exhibitions of riders and/or horses and ponies. Participants compete in
different classes, each with specifications for the type of riding, age of the
horse, age of the rider, and so on. Depending on the class, the competitors may
be judged against each other or against written rules. Each horse-and-rider
team faces evaluation alone in the arena or, more commonly, within a group. The
type of show determines the classes, the rules applied to exhibitors, and even
the types of awards.
People love horse shows for a
number of reasons:
- The beautiful horses, all groomed to their very best, are a big reason for the popularity of horse shows. Even people who don’t know much about horses love to watch a group of exquisite equines displaying their talent in the show ring.
- For competitors, not only is the show day itself full of excitement, but all the preparation for the event is great, too. Many riders enjoy having a goal to work toward with their horses, and an upcoming horse show provides plenty to shoot for.
- Everyone wants to win, and the thrill that comes along with taking top honors in your class at a horse show is hard to beat.
These shows come in many forms
and have different rules, depending on which organization is sanctioning the
competition. In this chapter, I tell you about some of the kinds of horse shows
out there. You discover how judges award prizes and how to prepare both you and
your horse for these exciting events.
Understanding How Horse Shows Work
Although horse shows may seem a
bit chaotic to the untrained eye — with horses and people wandering everywhere
— events are very well organized. A lot goes into putting on a horse show, from
securing the venue and sending out the show premiums (the list of
classes and the entry form) to finding the judges.
As you watch a horse show, you’ll
be very aware of the judges and the awards they give out. After all, most
competitors are there to win. In the following sections, I explain the judging,
placings, and awards that are part of every horse show. Knowing how horse shows
work can help you get the most out of them, whether as a participant or a
spectator.
Looking at the judging system
Remember
Horse show judging, in most classes, is subjective. In other words, the judge of a particular class determines the first place winner and other placings based on his or her opinion. Although judges try to adhere to a standard when making their decisions, the choice is ultimately a personal one. Still, make sure you remain respectful of the results. Many judges volunteer their time and don’t get paid for the work they do; others receive just a moderate stipend from the sponsoring club.
The exception to this lack of
objectivity comes with timed events such as gymkhana or show jumping, in which
the horse either accomplishes the goal or doesn’t. The results in these classes
are fairly cut-and-dried.
So who are these judges who often
wield so much power? Most are very experienced equestrians who have themselves
competed in the events they’re judging, and many are trainers in these
disciplines. Some have to take tests to show that they’re knowledgeable enough
to judge, and all have proven themselves qualified to evaluate other riders.
An eye on the prize: Placings and awards
Protocol
As you hear the judge’s decision in each class, placings come into play. At most shows, the announcer names the horse and/or rider with the last placing first. The announcer then works up the list until finally giving the name of the first place winner.
Most shows place horses from
first to sixth place, although some bigger shows go as far as tenth place. In a
large class, even a tenth place award is an honor.
Protocol
The types of awards at horse shows depend on the particular show. Just about all horse shows give ribbons to the winners. Each placing has a different color, though color standards can vary from country to country. In U.S. shows, ribbon colors usually follow these guidelines:
Place
|
Ribbon Color
|
First
|
Blue
|
Second
|
Red
|
Third
|
Yellow
|
Fourth
|
White
|
Fifth
|
Pink
|
Sixth
|
Green
|
Seventh
|
Purple
|
Eighth
|
Brown
|
Ninth
|
Gray
|
Tenth
|
Light blue
|
For higher awards, such as
Champion or Reserve Champion (at bigger national shows, these awards go to the
first and second place winners, respectively), winners take home trophies
and/or large, fancy ribbons. In some shows, cash awards are even part of the
deal. Cash prizes depend in large part on the particular discipline. For
instance, they can come into play at certain Western events, such as reining.
And at large jumping shows, horse-and-rider teams can earn thousands of dollars
for taking a top prize.
Surveying Different Types of Shows
When you start exploring the
world of horse shows, you may discover that the types of shows out there are as
numerous as the breeds of horses — more so, in fact. And those shows offer a
variety of classes, or categories of competition — pleasure classes so
you can show off your horse’s body structure and movement, dressage classes so
you can flaunt your horse’s training, and equitation classes to demonstrate
that your riding technique is just right. Test your jumping skills in hunter
hack and hunters over fences; evade obstacles in trail and gymkhana classes;
let the cow classes show you how you’d fare as a ranch hand out West; and through
vaulting classes, do gymnastics on a moving horse. You and your horse can even
get all decked out for heritage classes and compete with an authentic costuming
look. If nothing else, shows certainly give you plenty of options.
Showing at a breed show or rated show is exciting stuff, and you may be tempted to just jump right in and give it a try. However, attempting such shows too soon can scare you and your horse and leave you humiliated and overwhelmed.
As you find out in the following
sections, horses need preparation to show, just as riders do.
Remember
The type of show or shows you choose to participate in depends on your level or riding, your chosen discipline, your breed of horse, and how much commitment you want to make to riding and showing. Your instructor or trainer can help you determine which shows you should enter, depending on your riding level.
Ultimately, the sky’s the limit
for horse shows. If you had unlimited amounts of time and money, you could do
them all. But because that’s pretty unlikely, focus on the particular type of
show that’s best for you at a given time. I provide some guidance on different
horse shows in the following sections.
Learning the ropes at schooling shows
When you’re a beginning rider and
a novice exhibitor, the first type of show you want to enter is a schooling
show. These shows are just as they sound: they’re for schooling, or
training. Under very little pressure, both you and your horse gain experience
showing at a schooling show. Your competition is other beginners like yourself,
so the playing field is fairly level.
You can find schooling shows by
checking in a local horse publication, looking for signs in your local tack and
feed store, or checking your newspaper for upcoming events. Schooling shows are
usually put on by local riding clubs or commercial stables. The classes vary
depending on the discipline of the show, and the shows usually last only one
day. The entry fees are very affordable, usually around $10 to $15 per class.
I describe the three types of
schooling shows in the following sections: Western only, English only, and
shows with both disciplines.
Western only
Some schooling shows feature only
Western riding classes. Among others, these classes usually include
- Western pleasure: Horses in Western pleasure are judged in how well they carry themselves and move with a Western rider. The horses are judged at the walk, jog, and lope.
- Trail obstacle: In trail obstacle classes, judges evaluate horses one at a time and observe them as they encounter obstacles such as a mailbox, a wooden bridge, and a tarp laid out on the ground.
- Equitation: Riders, not horses, are judged in equitation classes. Judges look for proper body position at the different gaits of walk, jog, and lope.
Western schooling shows sometimes
have timed gymkhana events, in which horses run one at a time around
barrels or poles. On occasion, the shows also have showmanship classes (which
require a handler, who’s being judged, to present a horse for evaluation) and halter
classes (which are performed with the horses “in hand” instead of under
saddle). However, halter classes are more typically part of a breed show, which
I discuss later on.
Riders are expected to dress in
Western apparel, although they don’t need fancy clothes or expensive tack on
their horses. See Chapter Equipping
Yourself with Other Important Gear for details on Western apparel.
English only
A great many schooling shows are
for English riders, specifically those who ride hunt seat. Classes usually
include
- Hunters over fences: Horses are judged one at a time as they negotiate a series of fences. Judges look for good form as the horse approaches and jumps over each obstacle.
- Hunter hack: One at a time, horses are judged as they’re asked to negotiate two small fences. Judges look for good form as the horse approaches and goes over the jumps.
- Equitation: Only riders face judging in this class. They’re evaluated for proper body position at the walk, trot, and canter.
Jumping is the primary focus of
these shows, which are great for helping novices in the show world get their
feet wet in the ring (check out Chapter Making
the Leap into Jumping for details on jumping). Riders in
these classes enter the arena by themselves and perform the course as
prescribed by the show steward. Before the class begins, riders memorize the
course and walk it on foot to become familiar with the pattern and distance
between jumps.
Figure 22-1 shows riders in an
English schooling show.
Western and English
Some schooling shows feature
classes in both disciplines, usually on different days. Because
multidisciplinary shows have a large number of classes, they usually take two
days to complete.
Figure 22-1: A class at a hunt
seat show lines up for the judge’s decision.
Raising the bar at rated shows
Beyond the world of schooling
shows lie the rated shows. These events are recognized by the United States
Equestrian Federation (USEF), formally known as the American Horse Shows
Association and the United States Equestrian Association. The USEF represents
the United States in the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the
international group that recognizes high-level competitive equine events around
the world.
The USEF, which is a national
body, rates horse shows A, B, or C, with A shows offering
the greatest competition and prestige. C-rated shows are the events most
attended by novices to the show world. B shows are for those who are
beyond C shows but aren’t quite ready for the A level. The shows
are often part of a circuit, which means that several shows are held
during a given show season in a particular region.
Local horse show associations
usually hold rated shows over two days or more, and the shows can be discipline
specific or open to all breeds and disciplines. These shows follow USEF rules.
Points are frequently awarded in certain disciplines, and in these situations,
competitors may receive year-end awards. (For details about rules, points,
entry fees, and more, contact the USEF; see the Appendix for contact information.)
Welcoming competition in open shows
Shows that allow all breeds of
horses are called open shows. An open show can be a schooling show or a
rated show (see the preceding sections). The term distinguishes a particular
show from a breed-specific show, where only one breed is allowed to compete
(see “Focusing on breed shows”).
Open shows can be Western or
English or both. These shows can be a lot of fun to watch because you can see
horses of every size, shape, and color competing against one another.
Focusing on breed shows
Nearly every breed of horse has a
national association that represents it. Associations for the more popular
breeds often have enough active members to sponsor breed-specific shows.
Regional member clubs that belong to the national association usually put these
shows on, although the national association may directly hold large national
shows each year. The larger associations have one of these events annually,
usually at the same venue each year. (The Appendix has contact information for
a variety of breed associations.)
Breed shows typically offer
classes in both Western and English. Many classes are the same as those you see
in schooling shows (see the earlier section on schooling shows), although some
shows also include driving classes (in which horses are judged in
harness while pulling a cart) and other events specific to the breed. Paso Fino
shows, for example, include a class in which the horses display their special
gait on a wooden board so the judge can hear the quality of that gait (Chapter Step
Up: Riding Gaited Horses can give you details on Paso Finos and other gaited horses). At Appaloosa
shows, a Native heritage class allows exhibitors to dress themselves and their
horses up in period attire.
Most breed shows have a halter
class, in which horses are not ridden but are rather presented to the judge
wearing only a show halter. The judge evaluates the horses for their conformation
(the way they’re built) and places them according to how closely each horse
matches its breed’s blueprint, or standard. Figure 22-2 depicts an
Appaloosa halter class.
Tip
If you’re interested in a particular breed, check out a local breed show. You can discover a lot about how these horses are shown and meet many other people with a passion for the same kind of horse. If you decide you’d like to compete in one of these shows, start working with a trainer who specializes in your breed of choice.
Figure 22-2: Horses in an Appaloosa
halter class are presented for the judge’s evaluation.
Exploring specialty shows
Some shows focus exclusively on
one event within a discipline. Before you can compete at a specialty show, you
need to advance quite a bit in your riding, and you have to be mounting a horse
who’s specifically trained for one of these events. These shows may highlight
one of the following:
- Reining: In this Western activity, horses go through a pattern at the lope and are judged on their responsiveness as well as their abilities.
- Cutting: A Western activity, cutting requires that the rider ask his or her horse to separate a cow from a herd and keep that cow from joining the group for a specified amount of time.
- Dressage: Called the ballet of the horse world, horse-and-rider teams are judged on their ability to execute a series of complex moves. See Chapter Not Just for the Brits: English Riding for details on dressage.
- Jumping: Events strictly for show jumping feature classes designed to challenge a horse and rider’s courage and ability to negotiate high fences. For more information on show jumping, see Chapter Making the Leap into Jumping.
- Gymkhana: This Western activity involves timed events in which horse-and- rider teams individually negotiate either barrels or poles with speed and precision.
- Vaulting: A form of gymnastics on horseback, vaulting features riders who perform various maneuvers on a cantering horse who’s moving in a circle while attached to a lunge line.
At these shows, all breeds are
usually welcome.
Gearing Up for a Horse Show
Before you hit the show circuit,
you need to do a lot of work to get ready. Although showing may look easy when
you’re watching exhibitors strut their stuff at a show, getting to the point
where you can hold your own — even at a schooling show — takes many hours of
practice and hard work.
The better prepared you are, the
more comfortable you’ll feel on show day, and the same goes for your horse as
well. You can both be more relaxed and have more fun if you know what you’re
doing. I give you some preparation tips in the following sections.
Preparing yourself
Showing at a breed show or rated show is exciting stuff, and you may be tempted to just jump right in and give it a try. However, attempting such shows too soon can scare you and your horse and leave you humiliated and overwhelmed.
Tip
Start small with schooling shows. Your instructor may even insist on this, because schooling shows are the best way to figure out the ropes of the show game in a nonthreatening environment. Schooling shows are much more laid back than rated or breed shows and are meant for novices. You’re surrounded by people just like you, who are there to learn.
You can expect your trainer to
accompany you to shows (he or she may be the one to trailer your horse to the
event), although clarifying this arrangement in advance is a good idea.
Remember to pay your trainer extra for his or her services.
In the following sections, I
explain several tasks that you need to tend to before you compete in a show:
paperwork, training, and grooming.
Handling paperwork
Next, you write a check for the
total cost of the classes you’ll be competing in. Fees range anywhere from $10
to $50 or more per class, depending on the show; most schooling shows are
fairly inexpensive. Mail the whole thing to the show secretary, whose address
is listed on the premium. The premium indicates the date by which you need to
mail the form.
If you’re participating in your
first show, your trainer will likely provide you with the premium and help you
fill it out. You can get the hang of filling out premiums pretty quickly — it’s
fairly easy stuff.
Training
Remember
Before you start showing, even at the schooling level, make sure you and your horse are in full training. In full training, you or your trainer is riding your horse five days a week. Or if you don’t have a horse and plan to show one of your trainer’s horses, you should be taking lessons at least twice a week, preferably more often. How early you begin full training depends on the individual horse and rider. Attend shows and watch the types of classes you’ll be competing in to get a sense of what’s expected and who your competition will be.
Warning!
Don’t enter a show until your instructor says you’re ready. You need his or her help anyway to get you to the show and coach you while you’re there. After you have a few schooling shows under your belt and are doing well at them, you can talk to your trainer about moving to the next level, whether it be a breed show or rated show.
Looking good
An important part of being
prepared for the show ring is looking the part - so go to horse shows, see how
the riders are dressed, and then find yourself similar apparel. Horse show
attire is very traditional, and you need to dress appropriately to fit in and
be competitive. Chapter Equipping
Yourself with Other Important Gear can give you general information on show apparel for
different disciplines.
Protocol
However you’re dressed, make sure your appearance is neat. If you have long hair, tie it back. Women should wear a little makeup if they can, and men should be clean-shaven (unless you normally sport a beard or mustache). Going into the ring looking sloppy is considered disrespectful to the judge, so looking neat is a must.
You can find all the show apparel
you need at your local tack store, or you can order from catalogs or online.
See the Appendix for the contact info of some possible retailers.
Preparing your horse
Training
Before you take your horse to a
show, she needs to be in proper condition and have the right training, and you
need to be able to control her completely. Here are a couple of training
guidelines:
- If you have your own horse and plan to show her, put her in full training. She should be ridden by you or your trainer at least five days a week, and the horse should be obedient and competent in whatever discipline or sport you intend to show her in.
Tip
- If you have your own horse and she’s new to showing, she’s likely to be excited and maybe even a bit unruly the first time you take her to one of these events. Try taking her to her first show without entering her in anything. Just let her stand tied to the trailer and take in her surroundings. Then, when you come back next time to compete, the situation won’t be as strange to her.
Grooming
Your horse needs to look her
absolute best when you enter her in a show. In fact, she has to be immaculate.
Tip
Turning your normally dusty equine into a picture-perfect example of a horse starts a day or so before the show. Getting your horse ready for a show includes bathing, clipping, and sometimes braiding:
- Bathe her thoroughly with horse shampoo. If she’s white or has white on her, consider washing her with a whitening shampoo made for horses. Keep her wrapped up like a mummy until show day to make sure she stays clean. Horse clothing designed to keep horses clean is available through tack and feed stores.
- Clip your horse the day before a show. Get rid of the whiskers on her muzzle and the hairs sticking out of her ears. Don’t forget her feet; be sure to trim her fetlocks so her legs look long and clean. You may want to clip her legs about a week before the show to eliminate clipper tracks.
Note: Before you clip your horse for the first time, have an experienced horse person walk you through this process.
- Depending on the show you attend, you may need to braid your horse’s mane and tail if you’re showing English or band the horse’s mane (make a series of little ponytails) if you’re showing in Western pleasure. Figure 22-3 shows a rider braiding a horse’s mane. Check the premium list to find out the requirements of the particular show.
Chapter Exploring
Horse Care can give you more
details on grooming a horse.
Figure 22-3: An exhibitor braids
her horse’s mane for an English show.
Displaying Good Manners at Horse Shows
As in any social setting, horse
show attendees are expected to maintain a certain standard of behavior for the
safety and enjoyment of everyone involved. In the case of horse shows, both you
and your horse need to follow established horse show etiquette. I tell you what
you need to know in the following sections.
Behaving yourself
Behaving well at a horse show
comes naturally for some people. These folks are always looking out for others.
Most people, however, need to take a look at some guidelines for good manners.
Protocol
Here’s a list of ways you can show good etiquette at a horse show:
- Be aware of your surroundings. Know your horse and her behavior, and be aware of anything in your surroundings that may frighten or excite her. The safety of everyone around you depends on your being able to control your horse in all situations.
- Give the right of way. If you’re walking your horse through a show, keep an eye out for spectators and always give them the right of way. Remember that your horse could potentially injure someone if she’s not under control when spectators — who are not always horse savvy — are around.
- Warm up right. When riding in the warm-up arena at a show, ride left-shoulder-to-left-shoulder to avoid crashing into riders who are going the opposite way (stay in the right lane of horse traffic). If other riders are schooling over jumps, be conscious of staying out of their way. Anticipate where they’ll land and make sure you and your horse aren’t in the landing zone at the wrong time.
- Look out for other riders. When riding in a class with others, be aware of where other horses are and avoid getting in their way. Be sure to keep a safe distance from other horses as well.
- Keep the in-gate clear. Don’t congregate or starting mounting or grooming your horse at the entrance of the arena, the in-gate. Leave this area free and clear for other riders to enter and exit.
- Be a good sport. Horse shows are about having fun. If you don’t win, don’t be a spoilsport. Throwing ribbons on the ground and saying angry comments out loud are considered rude, and losing your temper only makes you look bad.
Handling your horse appropriately
Protocol
Your horse doesn’t know much about human social customs, so you’re responsible for making sure she behaves. Keep the following in mind when handling your horse at a show:
- Tie a red ribbon on kickers. If your horse has a tendency to kick at other horses when they get too close, tie a red ribbon at the base of her tail to warn others to keep back. Likewise, if you see a horse wearing a red ribbon, keep your horse far away from the horse’s back end.
- Give your mischievous horse some space. If you have a horse who likes to pin her ears at other horses and nip at them, keep her far away from others. This idea also applies when she’s tied at the trailer or just lounging around in between classes.
- Unload and load properly. Don’t take your horse to a show unless she willingly and easily gets in and out of a horse trailer. Having a horse who flies out of a trailer backwards when she unloads is a hazard to all around her. And fighting to get your horse back into the trailer at the end of the day only makes things difficult for those around you as they struggle to avoid the chaos going on at your trailer. See Chapter Even More Riding Styles and Activities for information on trailering.by Audrey Pavia with Shannon Sand
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