I would be super grateful if you guys could help me with selecting some classes to enter at an upcoming schooling show. I am new to showing, as is my older but green horse. I had intended on picking them with my trainer at our lesson this past Saturday but an accident that morning landed her in the ER. It does not seem right to bug her with this while she is dealing with some serious injuries, but I do need to get my entry in ASAP. Show is in a week and a half, will likely have time for a lesson before then and ample time to practice. My mare and I can successfully trot small courses of ground poles, calveletti, and cross rails. We are working on incorporating some cantering in too, but still very early in that process. Our weak points are keeping her on the bit and relaxed, I tend to anticipate bad behavior causing her to be insecure and suck behind the bit. Our circles are more like squares and bending lines are not very bendy, totally my fault and something I am working hard on. Our strong points are that she has become very confident over poles and obstacles and is much more trusting in my leadership. The show is in the barn/arena we lesson in and she loves it there. You can see her brain switch on when she steps off the trailer. Once she’s in the arena she is totally game to get to work and really tries. So now the classes, I would like to enter two at least. They are - trot a pole a, b and u/s - short/long sturrip a, b and u/s - jumper cross rails a, b and u/s. What the heck is the diffrence between a, b and u/s anyways? Thanks in advance!!
A and b are over fences classes-- two different courses. U/s is the flat (under saddle) class. I would pick one division (probably the poles one) and enter all 3 classes. You can probably add or drop classes on the day of the show for a few dollars extra-- it should say that somewhere on the show prizelist.
Thank you for clearing up those definitions for me Highflyer!
Check the prize list for the rules for the short/long stirrup division. That usually has an age restriction, but it depends on the area as to what that is. Short stirrup is usually under 10 or 12. Long stirrup sometimes is restricted to 10/12-18 (i.e. just juniors), though sometimes it is for anyone who is too old for short stirrup and open to adults.
You’re usually best to step down a level to something you’re very comfortable with when showing, so your best bet would be the pole division (and yes, a and b would be two separate “over fences” classes and u/s is your “under saddle” or flat class).
Show nerves generally cause you to make more mistakes than usual, especially at your very first show, so to get the best experience out of it you should choose something that you find very easy.
Jumper cross rails? Am I reading into that too much? I wonder what the idea is behind that.
What is really odd is that the jumper cross poles has an under saddle class, so must be something specific for that show as I have never seen an under saddle class in a jumper class.
I agree OP, enter the poles class if this is all new to you, particularly as it sounds like you may not be able to get much for lessons before the show if your coach is hurt. You can likely post enter a cross pole class if you feel good at the show.
There are three divisions, each with three classes. I’d enter the Trot Poles division - which has three classes (course A, course B, and the flat class).
Read the prize list to determine whether they will ask for cantering in the Trot Poles flat class. If so, only enter that class if you are comfortable. If you aren’t, just enter Course A and Course B.
Thanks for the feedback everyone! I’m going to sign up for the poles classes. I did not see a prize list attached to the show form so there was no additional explanations. I will be able to lesson once before the show so hopefull can get some feedback then. Sweet talk I think the idea of a jumper cross rail class is to introduce the jumper style course to green horses and riders without the pressure of height. There are a lot of beginner riders and green horses that board and lesson at this barn, but there are not a lot of showing opportunities for them in our area.
But jumpers don’t hack/flat. The flat class is the part that doesn’t make sense. Are you sure it’s not equitation?!
Meh, it’s a schooling show. I have seen some pretty interesting classes at schooling shows over the years.
I’m in Canada, and the hack division (three flat classes, all based on the horse) is a pretty popular division here. At every rated show, the classes are Road Hack, Show Hack, and Pleasure Hack. Judged on the horse’s movement, temperament, suitability, and way of going. But a local schooling show removed the Pleasure Hack and inserted “Equitation Hack”. Since equitation is based solely on the rider, you now have a weirdo class in a hunter division where the RIDER is judged. But it’s a schooling show so they can do what they want.
A lot of schooling shows local to me also combine hunter and equitation, so you would have 1 o/f and 1 u/s for hunter, 1 o/f and one u/s for eq, and the 4 classes form a division. Huge pain the ass since my equitation leaves something to be desired so I could never hope to pin in all four and get champ or reserve if the classes were big.
Schooling shows, gotta love 'em!
How would you even judge a “jumper” flat class? Who is fastest?! 
Well you will be relieved to know that the u/s jumper class was a typo of sorts. My phone jumbled up a few of the classes together, but when I printed everything off it was properly spaced and arranged. So much for my “smart” phone 
