Horse Show
About Horse Shows
| For as long as people have been riding horses, there have been horse shows. Aside from being a fun way for riders to show off what their horses can do, competition is a good way to encourage improvement in the breeds. It's a way of setting and maintaining the standard of what is expected of various breeds and types. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the ruling organization for US horse shows, recognizes 2,500 shows a year in a variety of disciplines from Western to driving to eventing. |  |
The American show-circuit caters to a wealth of different breeds and offers widely diverse competitions. The specific types of shows and classes within those shows are almost limitless. However, the four basic riding disciplines that you will see the most often are: hunt seat, saddle seat, dressage and stock seat.
Hunt seat - The term "hunt seat", stemming from the traditional sport of fox hunting, refers to anyone who rides in close contact or all-purpose English saddle. Keep in mind that lumped within that one category are hunters, who ride in the style of the old fox hunters, balanced seat, which is a form of hunt seat that borrows from dressage, and forward seat. Invented by Italian cavalry officer Federico Caprilli, forward seat is the standard for most show jumpers. A "hunt seat" show could include classes for both hunters, which are awarded ribbons based on the subjective call of a judge or judges, and jumpers where the fastest, cleanest round wins. Rarely will a horse or rider compete in both hunters and jumpers, as they require two completely different skills.
Saddle seat - A saddle seat competition is usually limited to gaited horses like Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walkers, etc.
Dressage - Dressage riders focus on a deeper seat, giving greater communication with the horse. Dressage puts more of an emphasis on suppleness, rhythm of movement and teamwork between horse and rider. It's often compared to a dance or ballet.
Stock seat - Stock seat refers to any variety of Western competitions. That includes anything from trail courses, to Western pleasure to reining. Like hunt seat, there are several different styles of Stock seat riding and each requiring a slightly different saddle to do a specific job.
Introduction to Horse Shows
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Local horse shows are a great way to get into showing for either children or adults getting into showing for the firs time. Schooling shows are more informal than recognized shows, giving the horse and rider show experience without requiring the financial investment in jackets, tall boots, and other equipment. There are also recognized shows at the local level that are slightly more formal but still allow both experienced and inexperienced horse and rider combinations to compete and win ribbons. |
Regional horse shows draw horses and riders from a certain region to compete at their appropriate level. Usually, the standards at Regional shows are a little tougher than at local shows, with stiffer competition.
National Horse Show
| Horse and rider combinations that qualify at the regional level are allowed to compete at that national level. Information on national horse shows can be obtained from your local horse associations. |  |
