North Carolina Horse Show are small equestrian events that give the horse and its trainer a taste of forthcoming world events. Here's everything you need to know about this competition.
North Carolina Horse Show - Facts
Type of Competition:
The North Carolina horse show is a small equestrian event held in North Carolina every year, just before the world class events begin. These shows have few equestrian events and provide as precursors to the actual competitions that will take place at the world scale. Besides being a practice to the horses, they provide the horses with eligibility ratings.Location:
There are several locations in North Carolina where equestrian events are held. This year, in 2006, it will be held in Mocksville, Smithfield, and Zirconia. The important horse events to be held this year are the Mayfest Open Show, the Johnston County show and the Reiki horsemanship.History:
Since there are many local level shows conducted in North Carolina, there is no specific show history as such. All of them have begun at various times in the last century as small farm shows and then developed into big events. Many of them still continue to be conducted on their small scales in local farms. One notable turning point was the beginning of the Morgan horse show in 1939, which was held in Woodstock, Vermont.Sanctioned:
Most of these shows are small scale and not sanctioned by any major equestrian organizations like the United States Equestrian Foundation or the Federation Equestre Internationale. They are sponsored by local bodies like Western Carolina Pinto Association and such.Entrance Procedure:
Entrance to these shows is not with strict parameters. Anybody with a horse is allowed to participate and there are no restrictions on the horse having been shown or won before. These are mostly small scale qualifying shows. Entrance forms are available at the venue a few weeks prior to the shows. The entrance charge would be around $100 to $150.Classes:
Different North Carolina horse shows have different classes. The Mayfest Open Show held at Mocksville has halter, equitation, English/western, trailing, showmanship and pleasure classes. Johnston Country horse show held at Smithfield has huntseat, western, equitation, trail, western, English and horsemanship classes.Judging:
Horses in North Carolina shows are judged in various events. Some of the events that the horses are competed in are showmanship, walking/trotting, cantering, show jumping, reining, vaulting, eventing, etc. Horses are also judged for their groomer.Awards:
In every North Carolina show, there is a best of show award, which fetches about a $1000, depending on the reputation of the show. There are prizes for one horse in each class and for the winner in each event. Riders of horses win prizes for best grooming, best training, etc. There are also best bred by exhibit awards. Awards in the North Carolina show enable the horses to be eligible for the world shows.
