Horse show people, can you enjoy horses without horse shows?

[Bluey]

@Isabeau Z Solace

I am pretty sure that (in the USA at least) expansive horse show circuits are one of the big contributors to the deterioration of horsemanship.

Trainers (very frequently) have to get students into the show arena as soon as possible. The excitement of showing, the build up, ‘goal’ setting, special events and facilities, rules and memberships, all provide a structure of hoops for clients to jump thru/over. These obstacles, very often, provide the momentum that keeps people coming back to the barn, taking lessons, leasing, buying, etc.

Unfortunately, the basic question of competence gets pushed to the side. If you have been around the block, you have seen it at every level. From the beginner riders who can barely hang on while white knuckling it around a jump course, to heavy seated, heavy handed, brace back dressage riders spur/pulling their way through a test, to weak riders on six figure mounts with their feet rubber banded into stirrups, etc, etc, etc. Almost no discipline is immune. And at every level, you will see riders, trainers, and competitors utilizing all manner of gadget and tactics to ‘get the horse to do it.’

If we consider that Covid 19 COULD make horse shows (as we know them) a thing of the past, will you still be interested to ride and train? Would you do it if there were not ribbons, year end awards, etc? Do you enjoy horsemanship enough to pursue it without the ‘hoops’ of the show systems to propel you forward?

I think that is a very one side way to see showing, not at all what showing horses represent.

There is plenty of very good riders, excellent horsemanship, great trainers and their students and horses doing everything right.
There is, as in everything, some that are not as good, but to be fair, we should evaluate it all, not just point out to what we think is not right?

As for the question of showing, for many it gives their riding focus, for the horses a specific training and goals to work for when there are shows.

Decades ago, showing was where we were judged by a judge or a course in how well we had trained, how far our horses, ourselves, our students were and were a place to study how others fared and learn from it all.

There are also others than the competitors themselves, the supporting staff and family and friends, breeders, horse owners that may not ride but have others riding their horses.
There is a whole world out there around competing with horses.

For a large part of the horse world, all kinds of showing has been what fueled so much we have today in our horse world, so much more we may have, that we won’t without it.

Without competitions, we will lose a large part of what helps the horse world be as interesting and fulfilling to many as it is.

Saying horse competitions turn horses into a mere tool of competitors would be like thinking trail riding makes the horse a mere conveyance to get from point A to B, may as well use a four wheeler.

This is a good question, the world is going to change from now on in unknown ways, the horse world also, is a given.

[BoringEventer]

Of course. Showing is merely an opportunity to test and showcase the things my horse and I have been learning. I’m an amateur, nothing is actually won nor lost by how well I place in a show or if I even go to one at all.

In fact, I actually haven’t been to a recognized event in five years. I haven’t been to an unrecognized event in four years - would’ve gone to one last fall but between the freezing temperatures and never-ending rain it would’ve been a miserable and possibly dangerous experience, and what I really need right now is confidence-building. I was hopeful I’d get to event this year, but we’ll see. If it’s not in the cards, it’s really not that big of an issue. I did get to do my very first recognized dressage show last year, as well as dressage schooling shows. That was after a three year break in any kind of showing at all. It was fun, and that’s the whole point of showing. It’s fun, it’s an opportunity to test and learn, but at the end of the day, I don’t ride for ribbons. I enjoy winning them, sure, but if I never showed again I wouldn’t just stop riding.

I think most amateurs - at least the adult ones - are actually just like me. Competition is fun, it’s a hobby, it might be a cherry on top but it’s far from the whole sundae. But you often see what you look for. And you’re going to see a very different side of showing if you’re looking at the people who want to be at the top of the professional world rather than the comfortable amateurs. Competition can bring out both the best and the worst in people, and that’s undeniably true in more than just the horse show world.

And at any rate, I don’t think you’re very likely to find the people who are just in it for the ribbons and don’t really think of riding as a passion here on COTH…

[high_hat]

@2tempe

I show dressage fairly regularly in “normal times”. Fortunately for me I am still able to ride and train these days, and the time is well spent - working on some new stuff, the never ending project of improving my seat, going for some hacks before it gets too hot down here, and just the sheer bliss of hanging out at a pretty farm with a horse that always makes me smile.

This is me. I miss showing and from what I hear when the horse shows start back up it is going to be with social distancing. I still ride and enjoy my time making things better.

[Lucassb]

@Isabeau Z Solace

I am pretty sure that (in the USA at least) expansive horse show circuits are one of the big contributors to the deterioration of horsemanship.

Trainers (very frequently) have to get students into the show arena as soon as possible. The excitement of showing, the build up, ‘goal’ setting, special events and facilities, rules and memberships, all provide a structure of hoops for clients to jump thru/over. These obstacles, very often, provide the momentum that keeps people coming back to the barn, taking lessons, leasing, buying, etc.

Unfortunately, the basic question of competence gets pushed to the side. If you have been around the block, you have seen it at every level. From the beginner riders who can barely hang on while white knuckling it around a jump course, to heavy seated, heavy handed, brace back dressage riders spur/pulling their way through a test, to weak riders on six figure mounts with their feet rubber banded into stirrups, etc, etc, etc. Almost no discipline is immune. And at every level, you will see riders, trainers, and competitors utilizing all manner of gadget and tactics to ‘get the horse to do it.’

If we consider that Covid 19 COULD make horse shows (as we know them) a thing of the past, will you still be interested to ride and train? Would you do it if there were not ribbons, year end awards, etc? Do you enjoy horsemanship enough to pursue it without the ‘hoops’ of the show systems to propel you forward?

That is quite a chip on your shoulder regarding showing.

There is a cruddy underbelly to most sports, riding included, but as noted in earlier posts, it really has not much to do with showing, rather a lack of horsemanship. I feel a lot more sorry for the skinny overbitted trail hacks that I sometimes see than I do for a show horse whose rider is perhaps not top class. Most of those show horses live better than most people do.

I love to show, under the right circumstances. It is generally a fun “vacation” type experience, usually with good friends, at a nice venue where there are lots of gorgeous horses to admire, perhaps some fun retail opportunities, and the luxury of an entire span of time focused on my beloved horses. I am certainly competitive enough to want to do well, and I definitely prefer winning over losing. But that is much more about training properly, entering a class for which my horse and I are appropriately prepared, and pulling it off under the pressure of a show than anything else.

I haven’t shown in probably a year and a half, and given the current situation, probably won’t be starting back up again anytime soon. Doesn’t change the routine of riding and training at home, which is perfectly enjoyable.

[Equisis]

I am an active competitor (or was, until six weeks ago) and of course I still love to ride, and still would if horse shows went by the wayside. I event, and in some ways, the lack of competitions is nice because we have stopped doing conditioning gallops, are doing fewer trot sets, and more hacking and flat work. It is nice to be able to take as much time as we need to work on things that are a struggle for us, as well.

On the flip side, I do feel a little lost without a “big” goal to work towards. My “good” horse is quite experienced, so we’re not working towards any major non-competitive milestones, and that impacts my motivation. I feel guilty if I spend a week hacking and not doing any “real” work, but I also feel bad jumping and doing XC (thus putting wear and tear on him) when it’s really just for my practice and fun and not for any preparation. In a way, it’s a blessing to rediscover riding purely for fun, but it is also hard to feel like we’re treading water, especially when we were just getting into the peak of our spring season

[Calvincrowe]

Wow, OP. Nice post…Such a positive, unbiased view of our sport! (insert rolley eye emoji here). Are you a competitor? Do you currently show?

I miss showing, I miss the goals I set and the competition, as well as the competitors… I am a competitive person and enjoy the challenge of perfecting my ride and testing that in the ring. I have a new horse and got to show once before Covid shut down. I have big plans and goals with her.

I also enjoy lessons, trail rides and grooming. I’ve shown hunters and jumpers for 25 years and plan to continue showing when the “new” version of showing occurs. Because, showing will resume. Most likely this summer by July or August with plans for distancing, disinfecting, and safety for all involved.

[eclipse]

Our shows in Alberta are cancelled until the end of August, I missed out last year due to illness so one more year isn’t the end of the world! While its incredibly disappointing, horse shows will resume again at some point! But… I don’t do this solely for showing , I ride because I love it! I do also love the comradrie horse shows bring, and I love going to away shows with my barn mates but in the big scheme of things, I’m a small fish that just “dabbles “ in a few big shows, so not such a huge deal!

ALL of our barns are closed to non essential people in Canada… so while my horse is being looked after fabulously and exercised for us, horse shows are so low down on our minds anyway as more than anything, we just want to be able to get back to the barns and smell that lovely horsey smell!

[Heinz_57]

I don’t know if I qualify as horse show people, I honestly haven’t been to a single show in 7 or so years due to finances, then baby, then old horse soundness, and now…green horse. :lol: But it wasn’t for lack of wanting.

I guess the fact that I’ve stuck to it despite not showing that long means I’ll be fine. I do hope to show again one day, when my green horse isn’t so green. We have big long term goals. Right now I’m taking the moratorium on showing as a grateful opportunity to bring my 5 year old along at the pace I see fit without feeling like he’s behind. It doesn’t matter anyway.

A while back I remembered what it was like being a horseless, horse-crazy kid who would have given anything to have one - even if it was the ugliest, least talented nag on Earth. I do what that inner kid tells me.

[StormyDay]

@Isabeau Z Solace

If we consider that Covid 19 COULD make horse shows (as we know them) a thing of the past, will you still be interested to ride and train? Would you do it if there were not ribbons, year end awards, etc? Do you enjoy horsemanship enough to pursue it without the ‘hoops’ of the show systems to propel you forward?

Horse shows are not over. They will reopen and look exactly the same as they did before, just as sports will open back up and be just the same. HITS, WEF, and WEC will all run again. Football will be played in mega stadiums across the country. Concerts will start back up again. The world didn’t change that much.

[ABookworm]

Yes I could. Most of my enjoyment with my horses comes from just being around them and working with them. The trail rides we take at their pace just to be out and about together, the in hand work we do just to teach them a new trick or work on ground manners, as well as just having my morning coffee sitting in the paddock while they graze all provide me great enjoyment.

Showing is something that I also enjoy but that’s more to show case my skills and get out to a new location with the horses. It allows us to catch up with friends who might live on the other side of the state, see how well my at home training transfers to a hectic show ground, and try jump courses and other things that someone else has designed.

I’m probably not who you’re looking to answer though as I moved the herd to my house so I could work with them daily and just be involved with them fully.

his time off from showing has been used to go back to basics with both my riding horses as I think it’s a great time to fill or fix any holes in our training. We’ve spent hours on the trails working on confidence, tons of time at the walk working on stretching, relaxing, bending and straightness under saddle, and plenty of time on ground work to improve their manners and my handling skills.

[ABookworm]

@Equisis

I am an active competitor (or was, until six weeks ago) and of course I still love to ride, and still would if horse shows went by the wayside. I event, and in some ways, the lack of competitions is nice because we have stopped doing conditioning gallops, are doing fewer trot sets, and more hacking and flat work. It is nice to be able to take as much time as we need to work on things that are a struggle for us, as well.

On the flip side, I do feel a little lost without a “big” goal to work towards. My “good” horse is quite experienced, so we’re not working towards any major non-competitive milestones, and that impacts my motivation. I feel guilty if I spend a week hacking and not doing any “real” work, but I also feel bad jumping and doing XC (thus putting wear and tear on him) when it’s really just for my practice and fun and not for any preparation. In a way, it’s a blessing to rediscover riding purely for fun, but it is also hard to feel like we’re treading water, especially when we were just getting into the peak of our spring season

Also, this 100% in terms of not having a big goal. I have loved the time spent working on basics with my herd but my large pony and I were getting prepared to run our first schooling trial. Now that we don’t know when they’ll start again I have felt a little lost with her as I don’t want to over condition her if we’re spending the whole year trail riding and I don’t want to over jump her or school XC right now because I would rather save her joints for when we’re actually getting ready for a set horse trial. We also haven’t touched our dressage test since this started. I can’t bring myself to run it when I’m not sure if we’ll ever actually get to show it off.

I enjoy all the trail rides we have taken and have made huge strides with her in terms of confidence and spookiness, but not having a goal makes focused things tough.

[exvet]

Without a doubt I would continue to ride and find other ways to meet ‘my goals’. I would continue to train and ride my current ‘dressage’ horse with the hopes of being able to put a grand prix test together some day (he’s second level now). The accomplishment of doing so is enough and as long as I had a trained eye to confirm that the goal had been reached I would be satisfied.

I also would turn my attention to taking on more BLM horses just to train and give them the skills to be decent citizens for others to enjoy, be it on the trail, working cattle or other such activities. I am a very goal-oriented person which horse shows help me fill that ‘void/need’ but goals do not have to equal ribbons or trophies, etc. Training an animal be it a horse or dog (or other I suppose) in order to increase its chances of having a life time home brings many just rewards, at least for me.

[2DogsFarm]

@Isabeau Z Solace

I am mostly interested in hearing from the people who have shown as a significant portion/focus of their training/riding agenda. A lot of people do not live in beautiful rural areas where spectacular trail riding is accessible. Or, they have very little experience outside of an arena. OR, they are completely dependent upon their trainer setting goals. Etc.

This confuses me.
So, are you directing your question to these riders specifically?
Even when I was showing regularly, I still rode trails, off-property or on acreage where I boarded & trained & directed my trainer as to what I wanted to work on for either Dressage or Cross Country.
I took a lesson once a week & then worked on the “homework” he gave me riding 2-3 times a week independently.
Doing this I was schooling 3rd Level Dressage & Training level fences when I stopped training with any intensity.

[Pennywell_Bay]

Active show person. I am fortunate that I have mine at home. Honestly- for me it has been eye opening. My 12 year old is riding because she loves it, without any specific “goal” (ie: show). She is still on the ponies but has started riding my dressage mare. She has found a whole new appreciation for other disciplines and horses (thank god- ponies are the devil).

I have been riding, as well. My new horse is “new to me” and it has been a relief getting to know him better outside showing. He went right from my trainer’s barn to me, showing him and him living here. Now we are really connecting- he runs after my car when it comes down the drive ( yeah- it is a cookie-mobile).

My kid says she still wants to show when it opens up. I guess I still want to show when it is safe (I work with COVID so will really have to wait it out). But I’m really enjoying riding for the sake of riding (I still get lessons), I feel no pressure.

So- I’m Jekyll and Hyde. I really miss it some days, we miss our barn show mates, we miss our friends. But I am really, really enjoying riding time right now. My kid has grown in leaps and bounds- part because I think she has taken the imaginary pressure off herself. My trainer said 2 weeks ago- “This is the most she has ever talked or expressed to me”.

Someone once said - Some people ride to show, some people ride to ride, I think I fall in the middle. I am REALLY glad my daughter is showing she has interest in riding even without a “goal”.

And I am sorry for those who are unable to ride or see their horses right now.

[Janet]

I am not sure if I am the target audience.

There have been years when I have competed a lot. Training level Eventing, 2nd Level Dressage, 3’6" Jumpers at HITS. I have a bunch of ribbons and Year End Awards. I really enjoy the “performance” aspect of preparing for a competition, doing the best I can, and getting the feedback of the results.

I am also involved with the OTHER side of showing, as a licensed official, a volunteer, and a mnager/organizer.

But there have been other years when I competed very little, focusing on lessons and clinics (which are also on hold now).And 2018 and 2019 were pretty much a loss from a competition perspective because of my own health issues.

I am having no problem at all focusing on the training and basics this year. But I do look forward to having a chance to competing again in the future.

[16_Hands]

What Janet said. I enjoy competing but right now, I’m actually glad there’s nothing on my immediate calendar so I can take this time getting my new guy up to snuff. My trainer/coach is also of the same mindset. She’s kind of glad to not have a heavy show/clinic schedule and can work her horses and her client horses.

[monalisa]

I like showing but have zero interest in risking my health and my family’s health to horse show. So I will not show until I feel it is 100 percent safe to do so - even if that means no showing for the next 18 months or so - or until there is a proven vaccine.

[mdp9]

I am a horse show person. I love showing, setting goals, and the whole experience of competition. I equally enjoy coaching my students and going to shows, everything from 8 yr olds doing Pre-Short Stirrup hunters to nervous adults going to an Introductory combined tests to gutsy teens in Eventing.

I really miss showing right now, and definitely see my students feeling a little adrift with no “what’s next” conversations in our lessons. But it certainly is nice to have more time to just hang out with your horse, grooming a little extra just because, and taking it a little less seriously.

So, scrolling past some soapboxes here to say that we really miss showing, but are finding some nice moments of just enjoying riding and enjoying the horses even with no competition goals on the horizon.

[candyappy]

@StormyDay

Horse shows are not over. They will reopen and look exactly the same as they did before, just as sports will open back up and be just the same. HITS, WEF, and WEC will all run again. Football will be played in mega stadiums across the country. Concerts will start back up again. The world didn’t change that much.

I don’t know if things will be quite the same ever again. Limited class sizes and competitors to keep distance is in our foreseeable future and no spectators or concessions would not make any revenue for those putting on any sporting event.

I think we are looking at next year being affected ( possibly) as well.

[StormyDay]

@candyappy

I don’t know if things will be quite the same ever again. Limited class sizes and competitors to keep distance is in our foreseeable future and no spectators or concessions would not make any revenue for those putting on any sporting event.

I think we are looking at next year being affected ( possibly) as well.

Horse shows will say they are limiting class sizes and taking precautions but in reality won’t be. The will put out more hand sanitizer and tell people to stay apart.
That is how it will be for everything. Professional sports will still fill the stadium, nightclubs will reopen, concerts will be packed, Coachella will be just as gross as last year, flights will still squeeze 350 people in a metal tube built for 200.
People forget quickly and move on fast. And on top of that, we can’t sustain our economy without these things, so curve flattened or not, things will start to reopen because people can’t afford them not to be.