Harrisburg Farm and Horse Show is one of the oldest and most popular shows in the US, still drawing over a million spectators each year. Here's everything you need to know about this competition.
Harrisburg Farm and Horse Show - Facts
Type of Competition:
This is a farm show held in January every year the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Arena at Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania. Besides hosting various equestrian events, it also shows farm products, livestock, culinary culture, products of farms, handicrafts and many other such articles.Location:
It is held in the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Arena, which is located at Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania. Last year the show took place here on the 28th, 29th and 30th of October.History:
The Harrisburg Farm and Horse Show began in 1917. It was inspired by a much earlier similar cultural program, the traveling Pennsylvania State Fair, which began since 1851. In its earliest form, it was known in its entirety as the Pennsylvania Corn, Fruit, Vegetable, Dairy Products, and Wool Show. It was a small farm show then, but in 1922, there was an immense expansion of the Arena and it was made to accommodate over 1 million people. In 2003 alone, 4 million people visited the show, despite threats of snowstorms.Sanctioned:
The Harrisburg Farm and Horse Show is sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Foundation (USEF). All participants and competitors are bound to abide by the rules of the Federation.Entrance Procedure:
Entry blanks are provided through which the horse can be entered. There is a fee of $20 per entry blank. The entry fee for the horse itself will be much more depending on the class it is entered in. Qualification for Hunter sections are based on their best 15 shows in the previous year. This is adjudged according to the points of the horse recorded by the USEF. For amateur jumpers who have not yet won substantial points, the prize money won by them in the previous year is taken into account. Open jumpers are qualified according to their jockey rankings with the USEF over the previous year.Classes:
The horses entered are divided into three broad divisions -- hunter, jumper and saddle-bred. However, each division is further divided into several classes. In all, there are more than 300 classes in which horses can be shown.Judging:
Different panels of judges are chosen for the hunter, medal class, saddle-bred, junior and pony hunters, NHS good hands, draft, western pleasure and steward categories. These judges decide the awards of all the classes in their respective categories.Awards:
In order to win, the horses must pass through county, regional and district levels. The horses that pass through all these stages will be eligible for the final prize. There is a 'best of' chosen in each class. The prize money varies according to the class in which the horse is competed. Prizes are mailed within 30 days of the end of the competition.
