Preparing for Your First Horse Show

Look and Feel Great in the Show Ring

Showing horses is just like any other competition sport in which you might engage yourself. It is an opportunity to show off what you have learned in your riding lessons and to gauge your own progress against other riders of the same experience level. In most cases, horse show classes are sorted according to the age of the rider, the abilities of the horse, and the level of complication. Your horseback riding instructor can assist you in choosing classes in which you will be most likely to excel.

If you are showing in English classes – hunter or saddleseat – then there are two types of classes: ground and over fences. Ground classes consist of walking, trotting,, cantering and halting in front of one or more judges. Over fences classes are competitions in which you will be required to jump a series, or course, of fences at varying height levels.

GROUND CLASSES

In ground classes, the judges will be looking at how well you ride your horse, and how well your horse responds to commands. Your presentation in this class is extremely important, as is your ability to ride amidst a large group of other horses. In some classes, there might be upwards of thirty horses in one arena, all competing for the judge’s attention. Your riding and your horse must be such that it gets you noticed.

Hold the Rail. If you end up lost in the middle of the arena with no way to return to the rail, points will be deducated from your score. Inevitably, some horses travel faster than others, which means that passing is almost always required. If you find yourself coming up fast on another horse’s tail end, you need to start thinking about how to pass. Pinpoint a spot on the rail ahead of the slower-moving horse, and while giving that horse a wide berth, head for that spot. Staying on the rail is very important in getting your horse noticed.