A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Horse shows in the United States take several forms: the ones sponsored by a particular breed club, or the more general "open" horse show, which is not restricted to any particular breed.

In the last few decades "open" horse shows have tended to become specialized into hunter-jumper shows, dressage shows, and those shows featuring Western events such as pleasure, equitation, and trail. However, there are still some multi-day events that cover many aspects of exhibiting horses in a competitive format, such as the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri and the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.

There are a number of international disciplines, which are run under the rules established by the Federation Equestre International (FEI). As of October, 2004, they are:

• Dressage
• Pleasure and Combined driving
• Endurance
• Eventing
• Show jumping
• Show hunters and Hunt seat riding
• Paraequestrian (equestrian sport for athletes with disabilities)
• Reining
• Vaulting

The United States Equestrian Federation is the national body for equestrian sport, representing the United States in the FEI. It also organizes and sponsors horse shows in competitive areas that do not have international competition, such as hunters and equitation.

The Pony Club is a movement that is organized internationally, which teaches riding suitable for eventing and also sponsors horse shows.

There are other organizations such as the National Cutting Horse association and the National Team Penning Championships that also organize competitions.

In the United Kingdom Horse shows include many different classes for different horses and ponies. For example, there are classes for traditional breeds found in the British isles. There are also classes which compare different horse abilities at jumping and their manners when ridden. Affiliated societys, such as Ponies UK and the British Show Pony Society have large shows each year. These events last several days and include many different classes.

=Prizes= Prize money is also occasionally given, although usually only at the larger competitions in the most difficult classes. The sum varies by the placing of the rider, the prestige of the show, and the difficulty of the class. Showing usually does not offer as large cash prizes as the thoroughbred racing industry. Most show horses in the United States, especially those at the amateur levels, rarely win cash prizes during their show career.

Ribbons are often given for the top six place horses as well as the overall champion, although some of the bigger classes may increase this number to the top ten. Ribbon color varies from country to country.

Ribbon color is as follows:

United States

• First Place: blue
• Second Place: red
• Third Place: yellow
• Fourth Place: white
• Fifth Place: pink
• Sixth Place: green
• Seventh Place: purple
• Eighth Place: brown
• Ninth Place: gray
• Tenth Place: light blue

• Champion: blue, red, and yellow
• Reserve Champion: red, yellow, and white

Canada

• First Place: red
• Second Place: blue
• Third Place: white
• Fourth Place: yellow
• Fifth Place: green
• Sixth Place: pink

• Champion: red, blue, and white
• Reserve Champion: blue, yellow and white

Czech Republic

• First Place: yellow
• Second Place: white
• Third Place: red
• Fourth Place: blue
• Fifth Place: green
• Sixth and subsequent: violet or any color except the specified above

Australia

• First Place: blue
• Second Place: red
• Third Place: white
• Fourth Place: green
• Fifth Place: yellow
• Sixth Place: brown

• Champion: red, blue, and white

New Zealand

• First Place: red
• Second Place: blue
• Third Place: yellow
• Fourth Place: green
• Fifth Place: brown
• Sixth Place: light blue

Great Britain

• First Place: red
• Second Place: blue
• Third Place: yellow
• Fourth Place: green
• Fifth Place: pink
• Sixth Place: purple

The Netherlands

• First Place: orange
• Second Place: red
• Third Place: white
• Fourth Place: blue
• Fifth Place: green
• Sixth Place: pink

• Champion: red, blue, and white

Norway

• First Place: red, blue, and white
• Second Place: red
• Third Place: blue
• Fourth Place: green
• Fifth Place: yellow

See also

• Agricultural show
• Conformation point
• Selective breeding
• Show (animal)

External links

• Federation Equestre International (FEI)
• National Horse Show
• National Western Stock Show, Rodeo, and Horse Show
• United States Equestrian Federation
• Pony Club: Pony Club United Kingdom, Pony Club United States, Pony Club Canada, Pony Club Ireland
• National Cutting Horse Association
• National Team Penning Championships
• Washington International Horse Show, Washington D.C.
• Dublin Horse Show - The Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show is Ireland's leading Equestrian and social event of the Summer.

horses | eventing