Setting Up A Horse Show takes a bit of patience and you will be on the way of organizing a successful equestrian event. Here's everything you need to know about this competition.
Setting Up A Horse Show - Facts
Type of Competition:
One can set up a horse show locally, in the neighborhood, with a few participants from surrounding areas. The purpose of this show could be to raise a fund for some cause, or merely an entertainment. Such locally set up shows are organized by a group of volunteers, who may not receive any payment for their services. Everything in the show, except the judging, is done by volunteer staff. The judge could be on an honorarium, but it is better if he or she is qualified to judge horsing events. Once a show becomes successful, it can be made into a regular event, widening its scope with each successive show.Location:
A ranch space or a meadow would be required. Some local horse shows are also conducted on empty farmlands and such other places. The venue of the show must be easily accessible to everyone, especially the participants who would have to bring their horses in.History:
Several big time shows and equestrian events of today have had humble beginnings as locally set up shows. The grand monolith of horse shows, the United States Equestrian Foundation itself was a culmination of fifty horse shows, most of which were set up on a large scale. In France, shows were set up to along the countryside. It was in such shows that the immensely popular show jumping event of today took its roots.Sanctioned:
It will be a while before your show gets sanctioned by any popular body like the United States Equestrian Foundation (USEF), British Show Jumping Association (BJSA) or the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). Sanctioning organizations require a particular number of years that the show is in existence and a minimum number of participating horses in order to consider sanctioning it.Entrance Procedure:
In a small-scale horse show set up by volunteers, entrance is very easy. There will be generally no eligibility criteria, as the show organizers would like to have as many participants as possible. Entrance will be through filling a stub or a form at the venue. In most cases, entrance in such a show could be gained even a few days before the beginning of the event. There would be an entrance fee to be paid, but most of that amount would go towards charity if it is a fundraising event.Classes:
Classes would depend on the organizers. Most of these setup shows are open class horse shows, i.e. they will take in all breeds of horses. Occasionally there might be shows, which would have only a particular breed of horse.Judging:
Events to be judged would depend on the discretion of the organizers and perhaps the judge himself or herself. Common events in such shows are trailing, reining, vaulting, and equitation. Some shows which set up at a large scale would include English and western pleasure and hunter/jumper events.Awards:
Prize money would be decided on the basis of participating fees and gate collections. Prizes are generally distributed as the last part of the show.
