Snafflez

Horse shows are fun and social events.  There are usually a wide range of levels in showing, from the most grassroots and casual show, to the fanciest international competitions.  For some people, horse shows are the whole point.  You’ve trained for this, you’ve got the horse, you’ve got the coach, and the gear, and you are ready to take on the world!

For some, horse shows are more like icing on the cake. 

And for some of us, horse shows are like the flowers on top of the icing on the cake… they’re an extra, but I can live without them.  But there’s nothing wrong with going for a little extra! 

There are all kinds of reasons to show and competition, or the drive to win, is only one of them.  Showing gives you a reason to get out there and experience new places with your horse.  Shows can help you form goals and timelines in your development as a rider, or in the training of your horse.  You can get feedback from an outsider (the judge) on how you’re doing, and aim to do better the next time.  You might discover new disciplines, or sub-disciplines, networks, friends, and you might catch the “show bug”.  Schooling Shows are usually more economical, casual events that mimic a show environment with classes and judges, but don’t have the same formality and don’t count towards points or division championships or anything… you get to experience a show setting, learn the technical rules of the show ring, and get feedback without the same investment in time or money. 

For people new to horse shows,  many don’t know what the judge is looking for, and what you might be asked to demonstrate in any particular class.  That makes it hard to figure out what class you want to register in!  Most new horseowners have no idea about the vast variety of sports and sub-disciplines you can show in — it’s far more than just jumpers, western, and saddleseat.  I know I had never heard of “show hack” and “road hack” before, nor did I realize that in most open circuit shows this is a very popular class for all kinds of horses and a great way to introduce a horse to the show ring.  What’s the difference between western pleasure, western horsemanship, western riding, and reining?  That also was something I didn’t know!

Another common question that people ask, or don’t even know to ask, is “What tack can I use for this class?”  What bit is legal?  When can you use wraps or boots, and when can’t you?   Shoes?  Braids?  Rubber reins?  White breeches?  Spurs?  Whip?  Chaps?  Tie-downs? How much bling or decoration is allowed on a browband?  Coloured saddlepads? (This is highly appropriate to this website!)

The answers should be available through your national or provincial equestrian federation, or the sports or breed association that sets the rules for the show you are considering.  Many of them are on the internet, and almost all of them should be happy to send you information if you request it.  Ask the show committee whose rules they’re following, if it isn’t clear!  If you have a coach or trainer, or a horsemanship mentor, ask them.  But if you’re prone to making impulsive snap decisions on your own, and show up to your first horse show on a dare, then you’re just like me.

Generally speaking, most organizations follow very similar rules, so if you’re looking for a quick and rough answer, look to rulebooks published on the internet for breed associations like the APHA, or national federations like Equine Canada, or sports associations like the NRHA.  Reining patterns and dressage tests are often set and the same ones used nationally, even internationally.  For specifics, though, before you show, definitely ask the show committee! 

Here’s some links to some rulebooks that describe tack, apparel and equipment requirements, and also spell out what the judges should be looking for in a winning horse in each area.  I’ve generally found that these rules hold pretty much universally in North America, with very minimal variations, and these rulebooks do describe the majority of the classes you’ll see at open shows in Canada at least.

• General Performance  - Equine Canada Rulebooks - USEF Rulebooks

Even if you don’t go to breed shows, these are helpful descriptions of western pleasure, trail, and pattern classes, as well as HUS and english hacks:  (pick one, they’re almost identical)

• American Paint Horse Association Rulebooks 
•  AQHA Rules 

Barrel Racing – NBHA

Dressage tests:  CADORA and USEF (same as Equine Canada)

Reining Patterns:  NRHA

Some other popular sports:

• Team Penning – CTCPA
• Team Roping – USTRC
• Cutting – NCHA
• Polo – USPA
• Endurance – AERC