Horse Shows

    Horse shows that included both competitive events and showing classes began to be held in the late 19th century.  These came to include show-jumping and dressage events as well as the show classes in which horses are judged on type and conformation (make and shape).  The latter are more leisurely but can be just as exciting to their enthusiasts, and even tiny children can compete in lead-line classes, which sets many off on the road to becoming a champion.
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    The horse show, as a comprehensive even for displaying the talents of horses and riders, was a late arrival among horse sports in America.  A century ago horsemen showed their animals at local fairs.  Today (1974) they have the spotlight all to themselves at more than 700 recognized shows, plus the countless informal events held countrywide throughout the season.  The top competitors meet at week-long events such as the National Horse Show in New York, the Devon in Pennsylvania, the Washington (D.C.) International, the Kentucky State Fair at Louisville, the American Royal at Kansas City, and the Chicago International.  Social events, silver trophies, and sizable cash prizes are features of these shows.  On a smaller scale, but also important, are the hundreds of two-day shows, spaced out on the calendar so that exhibitors can travel the circuit, gaining points toward their season's totals.
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Show Circuit

    Horse shows are regulated by the American Horse Shows Association, founded in 1911.  The AHSA sets down uniform rules for competition, passes on the eligibility of exhibitors, sets up the show calendar, oversees the fair treatment of riders and the humane treatment of horses, issues licenses to qualified judges and stewards, and records the results of competition.  A "recognized" show--one sanctioned by the AHSA--has advantages both for management and riders.  Procedures of class competition are clearly understood by all, and only exhibitors who meet AHSA standards of honesty may compete.  Besides the licensed judges, stewards are on hand to see that the rules are observed.  Also, the services of a veterinarian and a blacksmith are always provided.
    To take account of regional differences in popularity of show divisions, the AHSA has organized the sport into 11 geographical zones.  Within each zone committees are formed to represent the varying interests of horsemen.  Committees include:  Arabian, Combined Training Events, Dressage, Equitation, Hackney, Harness, Hunter, Jumper, Junior Exhibitors, Morgan, Palomino, Parade Horses, Polo, Roadster, Saddle Horse, Shetland Pony, Walking Horse, Welsh Pony, and Western.
    A simple system of rating shows allows exhibitors to win points in proportion to the quality of their performance.  The front-rank, week-long shows are rated "A"; as shows diminish in rank, offering fewer events and less prize money, they are rated "B" or "C" accordingly.  Points won at an "A" show count twice as much as "B"-show points and four times as much as "C"-show points.
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Show Events

    Horses are shown according both to their specialty and their breed.  There are several classes within the larger divisions of events in a show.  For example, the Hunter Division includes separate classes for performance, conformation, and correct appointments of horse and rider.
    In the breed divisions, it is the horses themselves that are judged, not the skill of the rider.  Horses are rated on their action in the customary gaits, and the degree to which they approach the ideal conformation of the breed.  In the Palomino Division, Western tack may be required, while Arabians may have a class for riders in Eastern costume.  Prospective exhibitors are guided by a show catalog listing all events, class specifications, and prizes offered.
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Equitation

    Equitation is a division in which young riders--up to 18 years of age, sometimes up to 21--display their horsemanship.  The contestant should have a horse with the quality and spirit that will show his kill to advantage.  Judges scrutinize the rider's form and his ability to bring forth a smooth and disciplined performance from his mount.  Does the rider show "good hands," keeping a light but constant contact through the reins with his horse's mouth?  Does he maintain poise and command throughout the required series of gaits and maneuvers?  Can he perform as well on a strange mount?  (Equitation competitors may be required to switch to a horse they do not know.)  The seat--the rider's position in the saddle--varies according to the way a horse is being used.  In equitation classes three types of seats are demonstrated:  the hunter seat, the saddle-horse seat, and the Western stock seat.  Routines for saddle and stock seats require--besides performance at the normal gaits--drills such as figure eights, circles, and serpentines.  Hunter-seat contestants must show their skill over jumps.
    For keen competition, equitation contestants at organized shows are usually matched according to age or level of accomplishment.  A maiden class is for riders who have yet to win a blue ribbon (first prize) in a particular division.  Novice class is open to riders seeking their third blue ribbon, and limit class to riders seeking their sixth.  An open class is one in which all riders under the age limit may compete at equitation.  The dream of all young equitation riders is to win one of the national championship prizes, such as the Maclay Cup for hunter-seat performance.
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Hunter Division

    Hunter Division events test horses over a course designed to simulate the hunting field, with jumps representing stone walls, picket fences, hedges, gates, etc.  Here, it is the animal's performance, not the rider's horsemanship, that counts.  A great variety of classes provides fair competition for horses of every description, according to age, experience, and weight.  Professional trainers with horses for sale are keen exhibitors in the classes for green and young hunters.  Qualified Hunter class is for horses that have been hunted regularly with a recognized pack, while Working Hunter Class is open to all, whether qualified or not; they are usually divided into lightweights, middleweights, or heavyweights, depending on their ability to carry up to 165, 185, or more pounds respectively.  In the Model Hunter Class a horse is shown without saddle or rider and is judged solely on conformation.  Appointments classes require the display of every traditional item of livery, tack, and field equipment:  whip and spurs, flask and sandwich case, gloves and hat, etc.  The Corinthian Class is an appointments event in which every rider is required to be a member of an active, recognized hunt.
    Jumps in the Hunter Division range from 3 feet, required of young or inexperienced horses, to 4 feet 6 inches for seasoned animals.  The hunter is judged on the "brilliancy"--the ease and smoothness--of his jumping style.  He should approach the barriers in stride and fly over them gracefully with just enough room to spare.  Hesitation and awkwardness will be penalized.  Hunters may also be judged on manners, way of going, quality, substance, and soundness.
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Western Division

    Popular Western Division events sometimes fill half the bill of an Eastern show.  The horse trained for working cows should be agile and responsive, with a quiet, take-charge manner about his task.  In cutting events, the horse must separate a cow from the group.  He is rated on how he works the cow and responds to the reins, also on conformation, manners, and appointments.
    In roping events the rider has two minutes to work and may throw repeated loops.  The horse should close quickly on the calf and, as soon as it is roped and the rider slips to the ground, back up and stand so that the rope attached to the saddle horn is kept taut.
    Reining performance is a specialty of some stock horses.  A typical reining pattern calls for the horse to gallop, halt, back up, ride through several figures, pivot to right and left, and roll back on his hocks to right and left.
    Barrel racing is a timed event for lady riders in which contestants must race around each of three barrels set out on the course in a triangular patter.
    In stock-seat equitation, appointments and riders' performance are deciding factors.  Parade Horses are judged principally on style in the walk and parade gait--a stately, elevated trot; quality, manners, and appointments count too.
    In Western pleasure and trail riding classes, horses must walk, jog, lope, and navigate obstacles.
    Finally there are the model and halter classes, in which breed winners are chosen on the basis of conformation, quality, substance, and soundness.

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