Read About Local Horse Shows

Local Horse Shows are recommended for beginners to gain the experience required to participate at the national level shows. Here's everything you need to know about this competition.

Local Horse Shows - Facts

1. Type of Competition:

   Horse shows are competitions where horses take part in different events and compete for the awards and badges. There are horse shows that are organized for a particular breed and open horse shows in which horses of different breeds can participate. By participating in local horse shows beginners gain the experience required to compete at the national level.

2. Location:

   These shows are usually organized where the club conducting the show is located.

3. History:

   Horse shows in America are more than 120 years old with the National Horse Show being the oldest indoor horse show conducted in 1883. In the beginning, there was no organization especially for horse shows. In 1917, The American Horse Shows Association was formed by representatives of 50 horse shows. The association went through many changes and now it is called the United States Equestrian Federation. All horse shows should follow the guidelines provided by USEF for the safety of the horses and proper organizing of the show.

4. Sanctioned:

   Shows meant for a particular breed are sanctioned by the clubs of that particular breed. For example, the Pacific Coast Appaloosa Show is sanctioned by the Appaloosa Horse Club. Individual events such as cutting horse events should be approved by the respective association like the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA).

5. Entrance Procedure:

   Each show has its own entrance procedures. The horses can be entered in the shows by filling the entry form and paying the requisite fee.

6. Classes:

   There are usually three classes in horse shows. Pleasure class is where the horse is evaluated for its performance in riding. In the timed class, there are events like western riding, barrel racing, and show jumping. In the equitation class, the rider is judged on his ability to control the horse. The horse shows also have Western type events like reining and working cow horse.

7. Judging:

   Judges are appointed for the different events in a show which might include Dressage, Reining, Pleasure Riding, Show jumping and other events.

8. Awards:

   Horse shows have cash prizes and various awards. Horses are usually awarded with ribbons. Ribbons are given to the first ten places and the ribbon colors are blue, red, yellow, white, pink, green, purple, brown, gray, and light blue respectively. Prizes are given not only to horses but also the riders and in some cases the breeders.