A Brief Horse Show Guide

Hello current (and potentially future) horse showing participants and parents,

Welcome to the fun, competitive, nerve wracking, exhausting world of horse showing!  This Guide is to help you ease into the showing world with the basic information of what you can expect and need to know.  

Why would I or my child be interested in showing?

Riders are athletes and show for the same reason other athletes in other sports compete. You and/or your child puts in the hard work day in and day out to perfect your/their position, rides, ability to control the horse, to jump, etc.  A horse show gives one the opportunity to assess how one is progressing in their sport. 

The Different Levels of Horse Shows

Local shows: 

- Typically not rated and can be less expensive

- Still provide showing experience and decent competition

- Typically one day

Rated shows: 

- Governed by national and international agencies such as USHJA, etc.

- Costs can be significantly higher

- Typically multiple days

- Points are tracked by horse and rider and the opportunity to advance to finals is possible

The Showing Experience

Horse shows (especially hunter/jumper and equitation) are typically a whole lot of “hurry up and wait.” If you arrive early and prepared, you can guarantee to be in a waiting situation. If you arrive late and unprepared, you will have to hurry! The best way to avoid both is to arrive early and prepare to spend the day enjoying the horse show!   

Important Things to Bring With You:

- Chairs

- Sunscreen/sunglasses

- Rain Jacket/Warm Jacket

- Sun Hat/ Warm Hat

- Comfortable Shoes

- Lots of water, drinks

- Snacks

- Sandwiches 

- Towel for cleaning boots

- Something to pass the time (a book, knitting, etc.)

- Positive attitude! =)

Typical Schedule

Typical start time: 8:00AM

You or your child may need to be at the showgrounds before 7:00 am.  

Your trainer will confirm with you the evening before.

The trainer can give you an approximate time that your child may show. However, these are always subject to change on a regular basis. 

The show reserves the right to delete classes if not enough riders signed up, change rings if one ring finishes early, change order of classes or combine groups/divisions (The trainer has zero control over this)

This is why it is important to plan on spending the day and that way you will be ready when the time comes for your child to show. 

Rider Responsibilities

Whether you or your child goes in the morning or the afternoon (and you are leasing one of the horses for the show), you are typically responsible for the care of the horse for the duration of the show.   Your trainer will usually drop feed for the horses in the AM/PM. However, you and/or your child will typically be responsible to hand graze, bathe, brush, and warm up your horse (with the trainer).  

Code of Conduct: Mutual support, respect and proper sportsmanship is expected of each athlete and their families and friends. Riders ride individually, however together, everyone rides together under the K H Sporthorses' barn/team. If you put in a great round, everyone congratulates you! If you put in a terrible round, your team mates are there to support you! (we have all been there!) This is a great part of the horse showing and team/barn experience!

Typical Costs Involved:

Use of horse: $50/division (riders typically compete in 1 to 2 divisions)

Stall (if more than one day show): b/w $250-$300/week

Shared stall for equipment/tack stall: 1 stall split b/w all riders 

Trailering: $150

Coaching: $100/day

Show fees for classes: dependent on the show

Shavings: $10/bag

Hay: $10/bale

Grooming fee: $50

Body clip (if needed): $200

Keep in mind, it is also highly encouraged to tip grooms/trainers/working students. 

*If riders are sharing a leased horse, some costs may be shared. However, trainer fees are per rider. If you have a question about costs, the trainer can give you an estimate prior to the show.  Costs vary based on shares of horses, number of classes, etc.

Show Attire

- Proper boots

- Jodhpurs/riding pants (typically tan)

- Proper riding shirt (and tie for males)

- Jacket

- Approved helmet

- Hair net

- Leather gloves

FAQ’s:

Q: What exactly is the child being judged on?

Hunter: Strictly on the horse and how the horse performs. Should look effortless, steady, consistent, and the horse should be nicely groomed.  

Jumper: Strictly speed and accuracy. Timed event and faults charged for knocking down rails or exceeding the set speed.

Equitation: Strictly on the rider. Position, control of horse, effortlessness.

Medal Class: Typically a class where you compete for points to compete at a national level final. Example: Marshall and Sterling.

Derby: Typically two rounds where you will be given a score. Both scores will be added together to determine the winner.

Q: What are divisions/how many divisions will my child compete in?

Your child may be enrolled in one division or multiple divisions. This decision is made by you and the trainer. 

Divisions (from beginner cross-rails to 3’6”): Typically consists of one flat class and three jumping classes.  

Jumper classes: Determined by meters from .7 to 1.50. (judged strictly on speed and clear rounds).    

Each class is judged based on how your child did in comparison to the others in a class. At the end of a division, points are tallied and a champion and reserve champion will typically be announced.

Q: How do I figure out which classes or division my child will be competing in?

This decision will be decided ahead of time by your child and the trainer. They will be enrolled ahead of time by the trainer,who will file paperwork with the show the week prior.

Glossary

Fence: One jump

Class: One flat or jumping competition

Flat class: A class where there is no jumping. Typically walk, trot and canter each way and then line up in the middle. Hunters are judged on the horse’s movement. Equitation is judged on the rider.

Jumping class: A class where there is a predetermined number of fences to be jumped in the order posted for the class typically outside of the ring where the rider is competing.

Hunter is judged on the horse, equitation on the rider.

Round: When a rider enters the ring and completes the jumps required in the order required.

Getting under a fence: When the rider puts the horse too close to the fence and forces the horse to jump awkwardly.

Long to the fence: When the rider puts the horse in a position where the horse is forced to take a long jump over a fence.

Whoop: What you can do once your rider completes a round!!!!!!!

The bottom line, horse shows can be an important teaching tool for you or your child to measure progress. With that being said, a lot goes into the decision to compete--ability, money, anxiousness of rider, availability of horse, etc. 

You, as a rider and/or parent (along with your child) need to decide what makes sense for you. There is never pressure to “have” to go to a show!

Thank you for taking the time to read this! If you have any questions or would like more information on showing please feel free to reach out!