Events
Showjumping
Overview:
Show jumping is a timed equestrian event where horse and rider navigate a course of jumps designed to test speed, agility, and precision.
The goal is to complete the course with the fastest time and the fewest faults. Hosts may decide to include faults for "clipping" fences or refusals; however, this depends on the show.
Shows may be targeted towards a certain level grouping or may include horses of all levels.
Scoring/Judging:
This is a timed event. Your time starts when your horse crosses a marked line and it stops when the horse crosses the respective "finish" line at the end of the course.
Rider Attire:
| Any color show shirt or jacket |
| Any neutral color pants (black/cream/white) |
| Any color boots |
Horse Attire:
- Brown or black English bridle
- Brown or black English saddle
- Any color English saddle pad
- Any color leg wraps/boots
- Breast collar optional
Hunter flat
Overview:
Hunter flat is a judged flatwork discipline that emphasizes a horse’s manners, movement, and overall appearance under saddle. Riders demonstrate walk, trot, and canter in both directions, showcasing the horse’s obedience, smooth transitions, and steady rhythm.
Shows may be targeted towards a certain level grouping, or may include horses of all levels.
Scoring/Judging:
Hosts will assess each rider based on transition, timing, arena etiquette, turns and their general performance with their horse.
Rider Attire:
| Black helmet |
| Black, brown, hunter green, burgundy, or navy show coat |
| Tan or cream pants |
| Black boots |
Horse Attire:
- Brown English bridle
- Brown English saddle
- White English saddle pad
- No leg wraps or breast collar
Hunter O/F
Overview:
Hunter Over Fences is a judged event where horse and rider navigate a course of jumps with a focus on style, consistency, and form. Unlike show jumping this is not a timed event. Instead the emphasis is on smooth, rhythmic rounds with correct jumping technique that displays proper arena etiquette and consistency to the host.
Shows may be targeted towards a certain level grouping, or may include horses of all levels.
Scoring/Judging:
Hosts will assess each rider as they complete their round individually, they'll look for transitions, timings, arena etiquette, turns, over/under jumping, faults and their general performance with their horse.
Rider Attire:
| Black helmet |
| Black, brown, green, burgundy, navy show coat |
| Tan or cream pants |
| Black boots |
Horse Attire:
- Brown English bridle
- Brown English saddle
- White English saddle pad
- No leg wraps or breast collar
Flat racing
Overview:
Flat racing is a speed based event focusing on completing the correct number of rounds around the track in the quickest possible time to beat other competitors. The focus is on speed, stamina, and strategy, the first horse to cross the line is the winner.
Shows may be targeted towards a certain level grouping, or may include horses of all levels.
Scoring/Judging: Timed event:
Horses all leave the gate at the same time, the first horse to cross the finish line after the declared number of rounds around the track wins the race. The host may screenshot or record the round to ensure a proper decision has been made an placings can be done accurately. The host will likely measure from the nose of the horse depending on angle/view.
Rider Attire:
| Any color helmet |
| Any color show shirt or jacket |
| Any neutral color pants |
| Any color boots |
Horse Attire:
- Brown or black English bridle
- Brown or black English saddle
- Any color English saddle pad
- Any color leg wraps (optional)
- Black or brown breast collar (optional)
Steeplechase
Overview:
Steeplechase is a speed based event focusing on completing the correct number of rounds around the track while jumping obstacles in the quickest possible time to beat other competitors. The focus is on speed, stamina, and strategy, the first horse to cross the line is the winner.
Shows may be targeted towards a certain level grouping, or may include horses of all levels.
Scoring/Judging: Timed event:
Horses all leave the gate at the same time, the first horse to cross the finish line after the declared number of rounds around the track wins the race. The host may screenshot or record the round to ensure a proper decision has been made an placings can be done accurately. The host will likely measure from the nose of the horse depending on angle/view.
Rider Attire:
| Any color helmet |
| Any color show shirt or jacket |
| Any neutral color pants |
| Any color boots |
Horse Attire:
- Brown or black English bridle
- Brown or black English saddle
- Any color English saddle pad
- Any color leg wraps (optional)
- Black or brown breast collar (optional)
Barrels/Poles
Overview:
Barrels and Poles are timed rodeo events that test a horse and rider’s speed, agility, and precision through tight patterns. In barrel racing, riders maneuver around three barrels in a specified pattern, while pole bending involves weaving through a line of poles. The fastest time wins, the host may decide to include penalties for knocked barrels or poles.
Shows may be targeted towards a certain level grouping, or may include horses of all levels.
Scoring/Judging:
These are timed events, the timer starts when the horse crosses a specified area in the arena and finishes at the same point after correctly completing the pattern.
Rider Attire:
| Any color cowboy hat or helmet |
| Any color show shirt |
| Any color pants |
| Any color boots |
Horse Attire:
- Any color western bridle
- Any color western saddle
- Any color western saddle pad
- Any color leg wraps
- Any color breast collar (optional)
Dressage
Overview:
Dressage is a discipline that involves the rider's connection with their horse to complete the test set by the host. These may include transitions, movements, turns, etiquette, etc.
Scoring/Judging:
This may vary depending on host. Hosts are likely to score each movement on a scale based on how well the rider has completed it. They may factor in things such as refusals, whether it was completed, turns, arena etiquette, smoothness, duration, etc. Points will be tallied up and an overall percentage given for the test at the end which decides placings.
Rider Attire:
| Black helmet |
| Black or Navy show coat |
| White Pants |
| Black boots |
Horse Attire:
- Black English bridle
- Black English saddle
- White English saddle pad
- Leg wraps (optional)