Showing Horses
A lot of opportunities exist to display the skills you and your horse work so hard to perfect. One way that provides for all levels of riders is the Open Horse Show.
Open Shows are meant to attract new comers to the show ring, inexperienced horses or riders, experienced teams working on skill building and those looking for a fun, informal, affordable entry into showing and horse activities.
A “Show Premium” or “Show Bill” is the flyer used to announce the classes offered at a show. Typically, the flyer announces the who, what and where of the show along with the rules the show intends to follows (such as American Quarter Horse Association, 4-H rules etc…). The premium also list divisions, qualifications, prizes, disclaimers, services available, paperwork required and show staff.
Horses are typically divided by age, skill level, sex and/or breed. Riders can be divided by age and/or skill. Each show can choose how they divide competitors in order to keep classes as fair as possible. Different associations or clubs may define groups slightly different but some examples include:
Amateur: A competitor who does not receive compensation for lessons, training or showing horses.
Novice: A competitor (or horse) who has just begun a show career. Often in open shows a novice is defined as someone who has never won a blue ribbon while showing. Breed shows may use show points earned as a “cut-off” to compete in novice categories.
Professional: A competitor who receives training income related to the event they show.
Youth: A competitor typically under 18 years of age or other age cut-off.
Weanlings: Classes open to horses born that calendar year.
Yearlings: Classes open to horses born the previous calendar year.
2 year olds: Classes open to horses 2 years old (using January 1st as the birth date).
Junior: Horses 5 years or younger. Can also refer to Junior riders with a specific age requirement normally listed.
Senior: Horses 6 years and older. Can also refer to Senior riders with a specific age requirement normally listed.
Aged: Horses over 4 years of age, typically in reference to halter class divisions.
Group: A class where 2 or more related horses are shown, such as in group halter.
Filly: A female horse 2 years or younger.
Mare: A female horse over 2 years old.
Broodmare: A female horse who is carrying offspring or whose primary job is breeding.
Stallion: A male horse with intact sex organs.
Gelding: A castrated male horse.
Colt: A male horse 2 years or younger.
Other Open Show Categories commonly used include:
Jack Benny Class: A class offered to older competitors only. May be offered to horse/rider team exceeding a certain combined age. Most shows specify the numerical age requirement.
Green (rider or horse): A horse or rider new to the show ring or a particular class.
Walk-Trot: The horse/rider team will only show in two gaits, no cantering or loping. Typically, a beginner or training class for horse and/or rider.
Tiny tot: This is a class open to only very young children. Most shows list the age requirement such as 7 and under.
Groom’s class: This class would be open only to those who came to a show to help a rider with their horse. Typically, a parent or non-horse person would show in this class. Show dress is not required.
Training class: This is a schooling class open to all. Normally the class is placed but no prizes or points are awarded. Training equipment is often allowed.
Grand & Reserve: A class where winners and 2nd place finishers from related classes compete against each other for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion placings. Usually this class follows completion of all the halter classes or all the western pleasure classes etc…. It is a free class whose entry must be earned.
Training Show: A show where rules may be altered to allow training equipment and the judge typically provides feedback to the participants when placing classes.
Points series show: A show where participants receive points for placings that count toward a year end or series end high point award in particular divisions.
Speed show: A show devoted to speed events such as barrels and poles.
Pleasure show: A show where the majority of classes are not timed events.
Gymkanna: A show where the classes are a combination of timed events and fun classes.
Newcomers to the show world are often confused by the actual classes offered and what
is entailed in each. Here are brief definitions of commonly offered classes:
Halter: A class judged in halter on the conformation (bone structure and muscling/condition) of the horse. It is NOT judged on the handler or any pattern although a horse may be asked to walk and trot to show soundness and way of moving.
In-Hand: A class judged like halter but the horse is shown in a bridle.
Showmanship: A class judged strictly on how the handler best presents his/her horse in halter. A pattern is used and points are scored on grooming, presentation, conditioning and precision of pattern.
Lunge line: A class usually offered for yearlings and 2 two year olds where a horse is judged at all gaits, in two directions on a lunge line in halter. They may also be judged at halter after performing on the lunge line.
Yearling or in-hand Trail: A horse is shown while led in halter or bridle over trail obstacles.
Trail: A horse is shown under saddle working trail obstacles.
Western Pleasure: A horse is shown under western saddle, on the rail, in a minimum of three gaits in both directions. Judging is based on the pleasurable ride, soundness, movement and attitude. Gaits are accomplished with a reasonably loose rein.
Western Riding: A pattern is performed individually, under western saddle, with light contact. Judging is based on ability to perform the pattern.
Western Horsemanship: A pattern is performed under western saddle, with light contact. After the pattern, the team works on the rail with other competitors. Judging is based on appearance, equitation and precision. This is normally a youth or amateur class.
Reining: A horse and rider team individually complete a set pattern of maneuvers. Judging is based on ease, precision, control and willingness to perform the work.
Hunter Under Saddle/ English Pleasure: A horse is shown on the rail, under English saddle, working like a horse considering being used over fences, however there is no jumping. Judging is based on pleasurable gaits as well as soundness, way of going and attitude. Riding is done with reasonable contact.
Equitation: A horse and rider team complete a pattern under English saddle then work with other competitors on the rail in at least one direction in three gaits. Judging is based on appearance as well as precision. This is a youth or amateur class in most shows.
Hunter Hack: A class which normally offers two jumps at 2’3” to 2’6” and then requires work on the rail. Judging is based primarily on the jumping portion with less emphasis on the rail work performed as a group.
Baby Green Hunter: A beginner-beginner class for horses/riders learning to jump. Cross rails only. Judged on clean jumps, style, way of going, attitude and manners.
Green Hunter: A beginner class often offered with a combination of cross rails and jumps typically not to exceed 3’. Judged on clean jumps manners, attitude, way of going and style.
Hunter over fences/ Working Hunter: A class where horses will be asked to jump 3’ to 3’ 9”, depending on the horse’s age and rider level. Judged on clean jumps, manners, style and way of going.
Open Jumping: Timed jumps of 3’6” to 4’. Jumps can be increased in the event of clean rounds by competitors. Mathematical scoring based on time and faults.
Suitability: A horse is judged based on his potential to become a competitor in a certain event. This class may be offered under saddle or halter/in hand depending on the show and what the target event is.
Other show tips:
Note what the judge looks for and plan your show strategies.