Horse Shows
Horse shows that included both competitive
events and showing classes began to be held in the late 19th century.
These came to include show-jumping and dressage events as well as the show
classes in which horses are judged on type and conformation (make and
shape). The latter are more leisurely but can be just as exciting to their
enthusiasts, and even tiny children can compete in lead-line classes, which sets
many off on the road to becoming a champion.
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The horse show, as a comprehensive even for
displaying the talents of horses and riders, was a late arrival among horse
sports in America. A century ago horsemen showed their animals at local
fairs. Today (1974) they have the spotlight all to themselves at more than
700 recognized shows, plus the countless informal events held countrywide
throughout the season. The top competitors meet at week-long events such
as the National Horse Show in New York, the Devon in Pennsylvania, the
Washington (D.C.) International, the Kentucky State Fair at Louisville, the
American Royal at Kansas City, and the Chicago International. Social
events, silver trophies, and sizable cash prizes are features of these
shows. On a smaller scale, but also important, are the hundreds of two-day
shows, spaced out on the calendar so that exhibitors can travel the circuit,
gaining points toward their season's totals.
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Show Circuit
Horse shows are regulated by the American Horse Shows Association, founded in
1911. The AHSA sets down uniform rules for competition, passes on the
eligibility of exhibitors, sets up the show calendar, oversees the fair
treatment of riders and the humane treatment of horses, issues licenses to
qualified judges and stewards, and records the results of competition. A
"recognized" show--one sanctioned by the AHSA--has advantages both for
management and riders. Procedures of class competition are clearly
understood by all, and only exhibitors who meet AHSA standards of honesty may
compete. Besides the licensed judges, stewards are on hand to see that the
rules are observed. Also, the services of a veterinarian and a blacksmith
are always provided.
To take account of regional differences in popularity of show
divisions, the AHSA has organized the sport into 11 geographical zones.
Within each zone committees are formed to represent the varying interests of
horsemen. Committees include: Arabian, Combined Training Events,
Dressage, Equitation, Hackney, Harness, Hunter, Jumper, Junior Exhibitors,
Morgan, Palomino, Parade Horses, Polo, Roadster, Saddle Horse, Shetland Pony,
Walking Horse, Welsh Pony, and Western.
A simple system of rating shows allows exhibitors to win
points in proportion to the quality of their performance. The front-rank,
week-long shows are rated "A"; as shows diminish in rank, offering
fewer events and less prize money, they are rated "B" or "C"
accordingly. Points won at an "A" show count twice as much as
"B"-show points and four times as much as "C"-show points.
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Show Events
Horses are shown according both to their specialty and their breed. There
are several classes within the larger divisions of events in a show. For
example, the Hunter Division includes separate classes for performance,
conformation, and correct appointments of horse and rider.
In the breed divisions, it is the horses themselves that are
judged, not the skill of the rider. Horses are rated on their action in
the customary gaits, and the degree to which they approach the ideal
conformation of the breed. In the Palomino Division, Western tack may be
required, while Arabians may have a class for riders in Eastern costume.
Prospective exhibitors are guided by a show catalog listing all events, class
specifications, and prizes offered.
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Equitation
Equitation is a division in which young riders--up to 18 years of age, sometimes
up to 21--display their horsemanship. The contestant should have a horse
with the quality and spirit that will show his kill to advantage. Judges
scrutinize the rider's form and his ability to bring forth a smooth and
disciplined performance from his mount. Does the rider show "good
hands," keeping a light but constant contact through the reins with his
horse's mouth? Does he maintain poise and command throughout the required
series of gaits and maneuvers? Can he perform as well on a strange
mount? (Equitation competitors may be required to switch to a horse they
do not know.) The seat--the rider's position in the saddle--varies
according to the way a horse is being used. In equitation classes three
types of seats are demonstrated: the hunter seat, the saddle-horse seat,
and the Western stock seat. Routines for saddle and stock seats
require--besides performance at the normal gaits--drills such as figure eights,
circles, and serpentines. Hunter-seat contestants must show their skill
over jumps.
For keen competition, equitation contestants at organized
shows are usually matched according to age or level of accomplishment. A
maiden class is for riders who have yet to win a blue ribbon (first prize) in a
particular division. Novice class is open to riders seeking their third
blue ribbon, and limit class to riders seeking their sixth. An open class
is one in which all riders under the age limit may compete at equitation.
The dream of all young equitation riders is to win one of the national
championship prizes, such as the Maclay Cup for hunter-seat performance.
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Hunter Division
Hunter Division events test horses over a course designed to simulate the
hunting field, with jumps representing stone walls, picket fences, hedges,
gates, etc. Here, it is the animal's performance, not the rider's
horsemanship, that counts. A great variety of classes provides fair
competition for horses of every description, according to age, experience, and
weight. Professional trainers with horses for sale are keen exhibitors in
the classes for green and young hunters. Qualified Hunter class is for
horses that have been hunted regularly with a recognized pack, while Working
Hunter Class is open to all, whether qualified or not; they are usually divided
into lightweights, middleweights, or heavyweights, depending on their ability to
carry up to 165, 185, or more pounds respectively. In the Model Hunter
Class a horse is shown without saddle or rider and is judged solely on
conformation. Appointments classes require the display of every
traditional item of livery, tack, and field equipment: whip and spurs,
flask and sandwich case, gloves and hat, etc. The Corinthian Class is an
appointments event in which every rider is required to be a member of an active,
recognized hunt.
Jumps in the Hunter Division range from 3 feet, required of
young or inexperienced horses, to 4 feet 6 inches for seasoned animals.
The hunter is judged on the "brilliancy"--the ease and smoothness--of
his jumping style. He should approach the barriers in stride and fly over
them gracefully with just enough room to spare. Hesitation and awkwardness
will be penalized. Hunters may also be judged on manners, way of going,
quality, substance, and soundness.
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Western Division
Popular Western Division events sometimes fill half the bill of an Eastern
show. The horse trained for working cows should be agile and responsive,
with a quiet, take-charge manner about his task. In cutting events, the
horse must separate a cow from the group. He is rated on how he works the
cow and responds to the reins, also on conformation, manners, and appointments.
In roping events the rider has two minutes to work and may
throw repeated loops. The horse should close quickly on the calf and, as
soon as it is roped and the rider slips to the ground, back up and stand so that
the rope attached to the saddle horn is kept taut.
Reining performance is a specialty of some stock
horses. A typical reining pattern calls for the horse to gallop, halt,
back up, ride through several figures, pivot to right and left, and roll back on
his hocks to right and left.
Barrel racing is a timed event for lady riders in which
contestants must race around each of three barrels set out on the course in a
triangular patter.
In stock-seat equitation, appointments and riders'
performance are deciding factors. Parade Horses are judged principally on
style in the walk and parade gait--a stately, elevated trot; quality, manners,
and appointments count too.
In Western pleasure and trail riding classes, horses must
walk, jog, lope, and navigate obstacles.
Finally there are the model and halter classes, in which
breed winners are chosen on the basis of conformation, quality, substance, and
soundness.