Horse Shows

Learn about showing horses

No matter what your horse's breed or specialty, there are likely horse shows you could participate in. These horse and pony exhibitions judge individuals and their animals on a variety of different standards. Shows for individual breeds, like a Paso Fino horse show, could judge based upon appearance, or include traditional skill-based challenges like driving, dressage, riding, reining, jumping and pegging.

If you're interested in showing your horse and participating in the events, you'll be joining a large community of horse enthusiasts. It's an expensive hobby, however, which is why it's best to do your research and narrow down those competitions in which you feel you'd do well.

Even if you're participating in an ability horse show, there is a dress code that participants are expected to follow. Special horse show clothes are used in almost every type of competition. From elaborate costumes and ornate Western tack to fancy blankets and proper English dressage, appearance is almost always a consideration. This is another reason to focus on one type of competition - to reduce your expenditures on riding apparel.

Dressage

Dressage competitions are strictly based upon the appearance and grace of rider and horse. Horses are expected to be not just well-trained, but graceful in their motions. Riders should not be just technically correct, but fluid in their instruction and direction.

Judges often note accuracy, transition, quality of responsiveness and beauty of the performances in dressage. Both the rider and the horse are expected to have a formal appearance. The horse usually will have a braided mane, tail extensions and even polished hooves. Riders typically have gloves, a stock tie and a buttoned coat. The Olympic Games include a dressage competition.

Horse Show Jumping

Show jumping has been a traditional event (and stand-alone competition) for more than 100 years now, where riders and horses work together to clear obstacles. Points are awarded for cleanliness of the jumps (most riders are eliminated for knocking down poles, fences or rails) and for best times for clearing the course. While most competitions allow riders to walk the course prior to their attempt, horses must rely on their riders for the proper cues for each jump.

Rodeos

While dressage competitions are traditional English riding havens, rodeos have long been the arena for Western riding competitions. Riders and horses participate in events displaying the skills cowboys have been using for years, including roping, riding and barrel racing. Other events have become so popular that myths and popular culture have arisen from them, including bronco riding, where riders must attempt to stay on horses specially trained for bucking as long as possible. Most rodeos have events for other animals as well, including bulls and goats.