Horse Shows

I’m going to take you on an adventure about horse shows. First, I’m going to talk about what people do at the shows. So let’s saddle up and begin!


Well, when most people get their horses out to the fairgrounds, they groom them so they can get used to the surroundings. This isn't always true; some horses don't require any familiarization with the fairgrounds.


Then people sign up for their classes before the actual show starts. Each show has multiple classes for different things, like Western, English, halter, trail, dressage, and showmanship, to name a few. Each class is judged differently, and a horse that can do well in everything is considered a good all-around horse. These are hard to come by, considering it that it takes a good horse/rider pairing to make it to the top.


In the morning there is halter and showmanship, two non-riding classes. In halter, you are not judged; the horse is. Good conformation and behavior is a must in this class. Each breed has different standards for how the horse must look and stand. There are even certain horses that have been bred especially so that they can win in this class. But beware--a horse older than seven isn't likely to place high.


Showmanship, unlike halter, is judged on how you can handle your horse. You enter the ring and perform an already set-out pattern that will lead you to the judge standing in the center. When you get to the judge, you must set your horse up, meaning that they are standing correctly according to their breed standards. The judge will walk around you and your horse, inspecting every tiny move you make. When the judge nods, you exit the arena.


Then later in the day come the riding classes. I personally do western, so I will tell you what I do in these classes. You enter the ring on your horse and the announcer will tell you what to do--trot, walk, canter, halt, back--while the judge watches you. There are a lot of people in these classes, so they can take a while.


The English riding classes are the same, yet different. You wear different clothes and the horse behaves differently, but overall you're judged the same way: on how you and your horse can work together.


Don't think that horse shows are all just riding your horse around an arena in circles--it's a lot more complicated than that. There's all the different tack and clothes to take care of, not to mention your horse in general. Each class is different and you have to act in certain ways for them. Not to mention the fact that something could always go wrong--your horse could be spooked by something and not want to cooperate, or a sudden rainstorm could come out of nowhere, drenching you and your expensive show saddle.


It's fun though, despite all of the hard work it takes. All the hours spent riding and training pay off when you enter that arena.


That’s mostly what goes on at shows, so thank you for reading.



Reporter: Amber S

Editor: Laura A