What would you prefer at a horse show:
8, 9, or 10AM start time?
Show on Saturday or Sunday?
Would you rather win (first place):
A) gift certificate, ribbon and apple
B) gift basket (ribbon plus stuff like brushes, spur straps, horse treats, maybe wine for the adult classes)
C) Money and ribbon
D) Trophy
What are some jumper classes you would love to have?
What are some hunter classes you would love to have?
Thank you in advance for you answers!
Early as possible. 8am at the latest. I’ll be there at 7am no problem, and it’ll make the late classes a little less… late. Maybe.
Saturday is better, but I’ll do Sunday too. I know some people block off Sunday mornings for other commitments, so that might limit your Sunday crowd if it’s only one day. I feel like Saturdays can be packed with other activities (kids sports?) so maybe it doesn’t really make a difference.
C. Money and a ribbon, heck yes!
No input on classes, as those vary so much. I do like equitation courses that aren’t just the hunter course, and Eq challenge on the flat classes are always a hit here. Less input on jumpers, but we love a Mini Prix
Start time - depends on what time of year and how many divisions/classes you have.
First Place - ribbon is fine. Gifts/trophy could be for division champion. Not a huge fan of gift certificates/gift cards -I always forget to use them. Horse treats are always nice. I would steer away from wine for adults.
For trophies - an old local show series used to give out nice mugs or plates for division trophies - there were nice and you could actually use them.
There was show that had a “trophy room” which had an assortment of all kinds of things. You would get a card/ticket for each 1st place. So say you won 6 classes - 6 cards enter the trophy room and there you could choose your trophy - a silver tray might be worth 4 cards, clippers worth 6 cards and so forth. It was a weekend show so you could potentially accumulate a number of cards. You may have gotten bonus card for champion or reserve.
8 in summer, 10 in winter. Mostly I just want my division to run early in the schedule (or better yet for there to be set times). I have a M-F job so Sundays are generally better if it’s something I need to do much prep for.
I’m good with any of those prizes but I don’t want to pay extra to subsidize them. I’d rather pay $20 and have a 6 in 10 chance to get a ribbon than pay $50 but have a 1 in 10 chance of winning $50.
I hate lower level jumper classes against the clock so I’d like to see OT or red/ blue or jumper equitation. Definitely not gambler’s choice. Something that rewarded good riding. I’d prefer if there was a hard limit how many classes/ levels a horse or horse and rider combo could do, too.
I love the hunter derbies and true handy type classes.
8, 9, or 10AM start time?
8 am. Every show I’ve been to that advertised a late start time in order to attract competitors resulted in me showing in the dark at the end of the day, or having to scratch due to the dark.
Show on Saturday or Sunday?
Doesn’t matter.
Would you rather win (first place):
A) gift certificate, ribbon and apple
B) gift basket (ribbon plus stuff like brushes, spur straps, horse treats, maybe wine for the adult classes)
C) Money and ribbon
D) Trophy
Either money and a ribbon, or a ribbon and some kind of useful trophy (like plates, mugs, backpacks, etc.). Gift baskets tend to have stuff that isn’t your size, isn’t something you need, or is stuff you already have.
What are some jumper classes you would love to have?
Whatever you choose, make sure it doesn’t require a significant and lengthy course change that will result in your competitors having to stand around and stay late. Team competitions seem to be gaining in popularity, and people seem to appreciate a mini prix with some higher prize money. Avoid things like a gambler’s choice or double slalom that require significant course changes. I also really don’t like to see faults converted to time in lower-level speed classes, since those riders don’t always have the experience to safely make up the time when that sort of pressure is on.
What are some hunter classes you would love to have?
A derby always seems to go over well. On a smaller scale, having a handy class as part of the division lets riders try something a bit different while keeping to the usual division routine.
That’s a really cool approach, especially if given a lot of prize options. There’s more ability to pick something that’s actually wanted/needed and you don’t end up with people winning multiple of the same prize (unless they want it). This could also be combined with C if tickets can also be traded in for $X or tack shop gift cards or gift certificates for future show entries in addition to the physical prizes.
If this is a local schooling show, with green horses and riders, scrap the jumper classes. Hunter and equitation only. Offering jumper classes to green horses and riders only encourages running for speed over small jumps…not helpful in the development of skills for either horse or rider. Might as well offer a barrel race.
Saying this as a mainly jumper division rider for a number of decades. The jumper division is not for Greenies. The jumper division is where you and your horse can go after mastering the skills required in the hunter and eq divisions.
8 am start, please!
I prefer Saturday as a working adult, leaving Sunday for recuperating and getting ready for the week.
Prizes? A ribbon is nice (though I don’t take them home anymore, unless it’s a reserve/champion one).
Money would be my preference, or the “prize table” for first and champion is a thing here for all Outreach/schooling/two day shows (and some A rated ones too). Very practical as it gives people a choice-- have lots of kid and adult friendly things, please as well as practical, horse related things like quality brushes, buckets, treats, etc.
As for classes, I love a show that has a medal for the 2 foot, 2’6", etc. Please, please if you have 2’ and above hunters don’t make everyone wait through 3 hours of trot a pole…they can go in a separate ring. Also, if you have a division, make the hunter courses the same for the lowest heights-- (say two H courses and two Eq courses, same for each section). Makes your rings run much faster by not having to learn 4 different courses.
Jumpers for under .70 are scary and take forever
Thank you for all for the responses!
Sounds like money or a prize table is the winner, haha. Unfortunately we won’t have the space to do the prize table this year but I’m hoping for next year.
Lower level jumper classes are really popular around here and I’ve actually never had an issue with someone in this area, but just in case we will be doing optimum time for 18inches and I have considered doing an optimum time for 2ft. I think this show I will go without it and see how it goes. There’s about 4 other shows in the area that do 2ft with no optimum time and it seems to run well for them. When I lived in NC there were a few people who would ride extremely dangerously over the lower heights, but it was always the 18 inches. I’ve never seen someone flat out gallop 2ft.
I definitely will be offering a derby or two! Probably two different heights.
Unfortunately I only have two rings (one warmup, one regular) so I won’t be able to split classes.
Start time - 9 or 10 preferred, as long as it doesn’t mean the last classes will be after 8 PM
Saturday vs Sunday - Sunday preferred, to use Saturday for horse bathing, serious grooming. packing trailer etc.
Awards - my favorite trophies are hand made pottery (usually small plates). Around here, Mrs. Lindamood and Alicia Daly made much desired trophy plates. The only other “stuff with the ribbon” I have found useful is a pair of (plain) riding socks and a set of leg bandages.
Jumper classes - I am primarily an Eventer, so I mostly use hunter classes just for getting a green horse used to the show environment, and decorated jumps. For jumper classes, my favorite is “power and speed”.
The earlier the start, the better.
I’m ambivalent on Saturday versus Sunday.
Ribbons and something edible are the only prizes I need/want but money would be lovely (and seems like a pipe dream at a schooling show— where is the money coming from?)
As for special classes, this is so dependent on your market. I like a handy hunter class but if you have mostly beginner types they may find that to be too much.
You’re lucky, then. I’ve seen flat out galloping at 2’6" (encouraged by some less-than-stellar coaches) and it was terrifying. I’ve never seen a jumper class at 18" or 2’!
I’ve seen absolutely terrifying rounds at 2’9” and under. Seems like 3’ (well, 1.0M) is where the average person chickens out or the scope of the horses no longer makes up for the terrible riding. That and/or the courses get harder (they add a combination or extra related distance).
Optimum time is fabulous, though uncommon here (lol NC, ironically).
8AM start time.
This season I showed on Saturday (in the only series I did) only due to division choices - there were options for me on Sunday, but not as appealing as Saturday’s + they went late on Sunday and I wasn’t about that life. I liked only showing one day on Saturday.
I think a ribbon is fine for the class, but division champion and reserve treats would be cool - I would like things for my horse (cookies, grooming products) or for humans: something small like a cooling rag embroidered with the show’s name, a boot rag embroidered, or even a baby pad - something useful with a touch of memento. I also wouldn’t mind money off my show bill instead, but I never really collected any sort of memento awards (other than year end stuff) so that’s why I think those little prizes would be cool.
Team hunter would be cool to see! I love derby courses/handy rounds.
I am not a jumper, but if I were - Gambler’s choice would be fun
Depends on location and time of year, plus # of classes.
If the show is expected to be no more than 6-7 hours, and is in October in Ohio, 10am.
If the show is in July in Florida, 6am.
Saturday. I like the day after to chill and get stuff done at home.
C
Gambler’s choice is always a good time
Derby
8, 9, or 10AM start time?
8am in the summer, 9am in the winter
Show on Saturday or Sunday?
Saturday for me but I wouldn’t mind much either way. I would rather a down day after and I don’t feel like a one day schooling type of show takes too much prep.
Would you rather win (first place):
A) gift certificate, ribbon and apple
B) gift basket (ribbon plus stuff like brushes, spur straps, horse treats, maybe wine for the adult classes)
C) Money and ribbon
D) Trophy
C) And I say keep your ribbon. I would always rather a few bucks off my show bill! I do like the idea of a bottle of wine for adult classes but that’s not for everyone
What are some jumper classes you would love to have?
I like a mini prix or jumper classic with some money (see above comments).
What are some hunter classes you would love to have?
Derby with a handy round and higher options which I think can be done at any height.
Edited to add I strongly agree with an above poster that warned against big course changes, there’s no reason to cause that big of a delay. A schooling show going 12 hours or running hours behind schedule really takes the wind out of my sails
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