It’s very local, but in South Florida there is a series in west Broward County called Heritage Horse Shows. Not part of any H/J Association, just a private horse show series with about 12 shows from September-June. And really quite nice, for its level. Permanent barns with real bathrooms & concession stand. Entries are $18/class but if you prepay a week in advance it’s $16. They run 2 hunter/eq rings and a jumper ring. Some prize money in the jumpers. Good place to start a rider showing in W/T and go up to 3’ in the hunter and eq divisons, or take a horse to its first few competitions. They do lots of community activities and benefit shows as well. Occasional exhibitor BBQ parties too. Points are kept throughout the season and awards are made at the year-end banquet. Run by a guy whose heart is in the right place.
[QUOTE=ToTheNines;7429575]
I mentioned this on the other thread, but will say again here, that you have to have a trainer that wants to go to these shows. The BNTs like BN shows because they can show nice horses, and have short days. At the local shows, the trainers have very long days and the riding is more about the owners. So support trainers that are willing to do these shows![/QUOTE]
I ride with a pretty well-known barn in my region. When I first started, we went to very few unrated shows - maybe a single larger unrated show and two or three barn-run schooling shows - but 8 to 10 A/AA shows a year. As a college student on a very limited budget at the time, I was fairly bummed out by the lack of options. I (and a few other lesson horse students) mentioned this to our trainer and found she was more than willing to take us, but the economics had to work out - meaning more than just 1 or 2 riders wanting to go to the show. My situation has changed a bit (more able to do rated shows on a regular basis, now half-leasing) but we are going to many more unrated shows because people actually put their money where their mouth was.
Point is, even if you ride at a barn that is more big show-focused, you can convince them to go to a smaller show as long as there’s enough interest! Of course, I’m not riding with Andre Dignelli or anything, but for most barns this approach works. Trainers can’t provide when they don’t know what you want. :winkgrin:
Unrated shows
In the New York/ New England area try Hudson Valley Show Jumping. They run great jumper shows, hunter/equitation shows and even a $1000 hunter derby. A lot of focus on quality jumps, courses and footing. And prize money!
http://www.crosswindsequestrian.com/hvsj/
Also AIR Show Jumping in the capital region.
Another shout out for the Chester County Horse Show Association in SE PA, specifically some of the bigger venues that run multiple rings like Wyndsor Farm (also hosts A shows), Ludwig’s Corner Show Grounds, Radnor, and Devon. You are not required to be a member to compete, only if you wish to collect year end points. The jump courses are solid and have great fill, classes are only $25. They offer divisions up to 3’ which are generally full and competitive. They are now offering Thoroughbred divisions, Classics, and Hunter Derbies with cash incentives. These shows generally mirror what is expected at a B/C rated show with the exception of braiding, however many competitors braid for the bigger venues. Great place to get competitive mileage without the fees and expenses at the rated shows.
http://www.chestercountyhorseshowassociation.com/cms/
Maryland has the Baltimore County Horse Show Association and Howard County Horse Show Association, and the state association is debuting the Regional program this year to offer MHSA classes with a year-end final, but not at the A-show price. (Many of BCHSA’s shows this year, as well as some of HCHSA’s, are offering MHSA-R classes this year also.)
