Virtual Horse Shows- Yay or Neigh?

[Miss_Motivation]

In this time of Covid confinement, I’m fascinated watching the rise of virtual horse shows.

I have seen them for many different breeds and groups, where you submit a video of your course/ride/trip, pay a small entry fee, and get a written score.

While there are a lot of variables to how this is done, one that I’m enjoying the The Virtual Horse Show, started by a very successful AQHA trainer Charlie Cole. He started the FB group on March 22; today it has 15,947 members.

In 23 days.

It started with a trainer’s horsemanship (eq) class I think, as kind of a lark, and today they finished judging a youth horsemanship class with 167 entries. THAT is growth that the horse show world has never seen before.(And the trainer blooper videos have brought a lot of levity to a tense time on the planet- trainers showing their most embarrassing moments to the world.)

Another successful virtual horse event I have seen is Fallon Taylor’s Virtual Barrel Race- with hundreds of entries and a portion of the proceeds currently going to buy PPE for medical and first responders.

Is a virtual show- whether it’s western, dressage, hunters, driving, halter, anything really- the same as a traditional show? Of course not. But there seems to be value in getting people involved in an activity that gives them focus and a chance to try something new, for a few dollars, with a reward of both feedback and suggestions for improvement.

I think that there will be many silver linings to the global pause we’re experiencing from Covid-19. I’m very interested to see how virtual horse events morph and evolve as we eventually get back to ‘normal’ whatever that may be. But color me curious to see if I’m right that virtual shows will become a conduit to encourage new and different participation in traditional horse sports as well.

What says COTH about your experience with or thoughts on virtual horse events?

Be Well!

[Highflyer]

My horses live at home and before the shelter in place order came down for our state, a friend and I set up a dressage ring and filmed ourselves doing a couple of tests each. Neither of my horses behaved very well (one found the whole thing way too exciting and the other found it terrifying, in line with their personalities). I’ve sent them to a couple of shows judged by rated judges and the scores/feedback are consistent with what I expected.

It’s fine. Something to look forward to and also benefits a struggling business/ charity. I sent in a few old photos to another one. I don’t really see how you can get much more than entertainment out of a virtual hunter show or some of the other formats, but that’s okay, at least it’s something to do.

[GoodTimes]

@Highflyer

My horses live at home and before the shelter in place order came down for our state, a friend and I set up a dressage ring and filmed ourselves doing a couple of tests each. Neither of my horses behaved very well (one found the whole thing way too exciting and the other found it terrifying, in line with their personalities). I’ve sent them to a couple of shows judged by rated judges and the scores/feedback are consistent with what I expected.

It’s fine. Something to look forward to and also benefits a struggling business/ charity. I sent in a few old photos to another one. I don’t really see how you can get much more than entertainment out of a virtual hunter show or some of the other formats, but that’s okay, at least it’s something to do.

One could get as much feedback from a judge when submitting a hunter or equitation trip as a dressage test. I’m not sure why you would think otherwise? Obviously it depends on the quality of the video, but I think it’s a great idea. Especially since hunters don’t traditionally get that feedback from judges. Of course we can pick it apart ourselves, or have friends or trainer critique, but a judges perspective would be nice as well.
With respect to the show format, hunter trips are typically the same or very similar with 8 jumps. It wouldn’t be that difficult to judge trips from different shows, different heights, etc.

Jumpers would be the most difficult given they aren’t subjective, and the courses would be different. But they could still be submitted and critiqued like a clinic vs a show.

[CLB15]

A few of the open huntseat/western/showmanship type virtual show announcements have shown up in my newsfeed lately. Those seem like they could be pretty well run by video- very specific about one videographer, one announcer to call out detailed instructions (20 seconds at walk, 40 seconds of trot, 5 seconds of walk, 30 seconds of canter, half 10 seconds, etc).

Western Dressage (WDAA) isn’t hosting but I believe is allowing scores from an online show business to count towards achievement awards. There is one dressage page that I’ve seen shared in a few groups of uploading scores to a non-public page where a licensed judge will review/score. I haven’t really looked into that since with a lack of comments/likes from those who’ve used the platform, I think a lot of people including myself are skeptical to dig in & try it.
Honestly with a dressage test, provided the ring is the right size it SHOULD be the easiest discipline to do remote reviews of

Alternatively, a very big farm that hosts numerous licensed dressage and eventing shows during the year announced a “social distancing” show, Since they have many rings set up for dressage tests and lots of parking, over the course of a couple weeks they’re scheduling blocks of time for one ship-in at a time to arrive, school in one ring, and a videographer will be in the judges booth to video the test after 45 minutes of schooling. Not exactly virtual but I think that’s a pretty nice option for those who want (or need) to school off site with a green horse, have show nerves that stem from having to travel someplace new & do a “presentation”, or who were gearing up to do a new level this year but now feel that work is as for nothing. Not as stressful as a crowded show ground, but still some structure (and consistent environment for the judge to then review one ride to the next.)

[clanter]

today they finished judging a youth horsemanship class with 167 entries. THAT is growth that the horse show world has never seen before.

in 1974 at the Kentucky State Fair horse show we had a horse going in after an equation class … just looking at the schedule I though easy thing and we would be done shortly … it was about eight hours later before we even got to the warm up ring since that equation class had over 300 entries

[TMares]

I’m participating in one in dressage. It’s nice to have a focus. For ‘pattern’ work like that, I think it’s attractive. For a rail class? Not interesting to me.

[Beck]

Nay. I can see the keep-busy focus being a factor to the positive, and perhaps as mild entertainment for some, but otherwise the concept falls far short for me. Have fun with it.

[tabula_rashah]

I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all. Another way to get feedback and also a way for organizations to make a little money to keep themselves afloat. I was participating in a endurance mileage only one unless the asshats in MD shut down the state parks (only to horses, kayakers and disc golfers, seriously WTF???)

[Highflyer]

@GoodTimes

One could get as much feedback from a judge when submitting a hunter or equitation trip as a dressage test. I’m not sure why you would think otherwise? Obviously it depends on the quality of the video, but I think it’s a great idea. Especially since hunters don’t traditionally get that feedback from judges. Of course we can pick it apart ourselves, or have friends or trainer critique, but a judges perspective would be nice as well.
With respect to the show format, hunter trips are typically the same or very similar with 8 jumps. It wouldn’t be that difficult to judge trips from different shows, different heights, etc.

Jumpers would be the most difficult given they aren’t subjective, and the courses would be different. But they could still be submitted and critiqued like a clinic vs a show.

The ones I have seen don’t offer feedback, just a placing.

[cutter99]

I have a friend who has been participating in virtual shows for a couple of years now, and she enjoys them. She has gotten a lot of feedback, some good and some bad.

I think the positive about something like this is it gives you something to do right now! It takes your mind off of what we are going through and gives you an opportunity to focus on something else. Use it as a learning experience and as a way to spend quality time with your horse.

[JFJ]

State line tack is doing free ones on Facebook. I think it’s fun for now but will never replace the real thing

[Beck]

Couldn’t do it even if I wanted to: we have been told not to risk riding at all.

[Foxglove]

I’'m doing on-line training right now with a trainer in NZ --not ideal, of course, should have m own trainer here at my own barn --but since I can’t leave the farm to go to the regular trainer (who was not interested in doing on-line or video training), I’m good with what I can get. (I’m in USA).

[cutter99]

@Beck

Couldn’t do it even if I wanted to: we have been told not to risk riding at all.

There are showmanship and in hand trail classes as well as riding classes.

[anon69112984]

@Beck

Nay. I can see the keep-busy focus being a factor to the positive, and perhaps as mild entertainment for some, but otherwise the concept falls far short for me. Have fun with it.

Totally agree!

[mmeqcenter]

Not my cup of tea, but to each their own.

But apparently FEI has a strong opinion on them.
https://horsesdaily.com/article/fei-clarifies-important-rules-regarding-line-competitions?fbclid=IwAR05omGnzxUoDdqjS6ARm6Vashfa5GXy2cTaWL_B0oI0fHbdA-H3PmFJ6FE

[anon69112984]

@mmeqcenter

Not my cup of tea, but to each their own.

But apparently FEI has a strong opinion on them.
https://horsesdaily.com/article/fei-clarifies-important-rules-regarding-line-competitions?fbclid=IwAR05omGnzxUoDdqjS6ARm6Vashfa5GXy2cTaWL_B0oI0fHbdA-H3PmFJ6FE

That is really an interesting read about the FEI judges!

[TMares]

Alpha-bet soup will be as close as I get to FEI

[gahorseygal]

I think they are a fun idea! In no way do I feel they can replace an actual show, but for our current circumstances I think they offer a nice alternative to traditional showing. I don’t have a trailer and no plans to show but thought this may be a fun way to work towards a goal with my older boys.

[Chall]

Fei should back it, just make the titles different, I.e. virtual Prix st George champion.
it would broaden their base and encourage new comers to try an accessible form and I think lead them into physical shows.

It’s like cinema Movies vs TV and later TV vs streaming. Embrace it.