So, you and/or your student is ready to go to horse shows!! We are so excited to have you join our team! There are some things you should know and a list of recommendations.
Most of the shows we go to are at Scissortail Hill Equestrian and they are held on Saturdays. I recommend you follow their FB page as the show information is posted there. The show schedule is posted on their page on Thursday/Friday before the show. I will send a mass schedule to all show goers Friday as soon as I have the schedule, so everyone knows when and where to be.
I highly recommend lessons be taken at least once a week, so your student feels ready to compete. If you can’t commit to once a week, please schedule a lesson for the week of the show. If you plan on showing eventing, I recommend two lessons a week, one for jumpers and the second for dressage. Again, this is only a recommendation.
I charge $100 per horse show to Scissortail Hill Equestrian. This is the coaching fee for the day. The show grounds charge a separate fee per class. The prices can be found on their website as well as the sign-up forms I have posted. You can pay the secretary either cash or check. All riders will pay a one-time annual membership fee. Leadline riders will have a medic fee + one class fee. Jumper riders will have a medic fee + two jump classes fee. Dressage riders will have a per test fee. Event riders will have a medic fee + one horse trial fee.
Attire: any solid color breeches along with a show shirt, BLE show polo, or any color polo shirt. You can find our BLE show polo at Two Socks Designs website. Riding boots: either paddock (short ankle boots), tall boots, or western boots. Helmet of course, any color. Gloves and half chaps are also ok, but these are optional.
I would pack a chair and your patience. The shows usually run really smooth, but there are times where we hurry up and wait. Snacks and water are always good things to bring. Umbrellas are ok.
We are a supportive group, so I ask that students stay and support all our riders. I understand this cannot always be done, so if you need to leave after your class, please let me know prior. Be prepared to help each other while at the show. I may not always be available to help brush, tack up, or fill water buckets. Students help load horses and tack in the morning and help unload when we return. If you can help with one of these, it is greatly appreciated. In the past this duty is shared between students so not one person is helping all the time. I will have a volunteer option on the show sign up form. I’ll need 3 helpers in the morning to load and 3 to unload. To keep costs down for everyone, helping with these duties will be required, or I’ll need to increase my pricing for shows.
I can only take a limited number of riders per horse to the horse shows. I wish I could take everyone that wants to go, but my horses are special to me, and I cannot ask them to overwork themselves. Thank you for understanding this.
To sign up, simply write the rider’s name on the show list next to the horse we have decided you’ll show (this is who you ride in lessons), and write the class(es) you’ll be competing in. I will take care of signing students up with the show grounds.
I think I have covered everything. As always, any questions please let me know!
BLE Division Descriptions We will start with Pair Paces starting with cross country. The higher levels will go first then work our way to the lower levels. We will then do Eventing starting with the higher levels and starting with cross country. We will finish with Jumpers. You cannot cross over to other divisions. You may ride jumpers and eventing but must stay in the same height. For example, if you show 2ft jumpers and want to do eventing, you must enter in Green as Grass. Points will be calculated for end of year awards so you will want to stay in the same divisions all year to maximize your points. Pair pace was added for fun and is not eligible for year end awards. You may show in any height for pair pace and do multiple rounds.
Jumpers Divisions: Eligible for end of year Grand and Reserve prizes
**POP walk: Pile of Poles walk division is for riders just learning to trot or not fully comfortable trotting a complete course. 2-4 poles in a pile flat on the ground. Timed 1st round, power & speed.
**POP trot: Pile of Poles trot division is for those who want to trot their course. 2-4 poles in a pile flat on the ground. Timed 1st Round, Power & Speed.
**Crossrails: Xs 12”-18” maybe trotted or cantered. Timed 1st Round, Power & Speed.
**2ft: Verticals at 2ft. Flowers may be added. Time 1st Jump Off, Power & Speed.
**2’3”: Verticals at 2ft 3inches. Flowers and oxers may be added. Time 1st Jump Off, Power & Speed.
Eventing Divisions: Eligible for end of year Grand and Reserve prizes
Eventers will have one stadium course, and one cross country course. This will be faults only, no time penalties. In the case of a tie, we will have a jump off in the jumper arena. Cross country will be ridden first, followed by stadium.
**Itty Bitty Jumpers: Stadium: 6-10 jumping efforts. Maximum obstacle height of 18”, all crossrails. Cross Country: 6-8 jumping efforts. Maximum obstacle height of 18”. Course is straightforward and inviting for beginners.
**Green as Grass: Stadium: 6-12 jumping efforts. Maximum obstacle height of 2ft. Flowers may be added. Cross Country: 6-12 jumping efforts. Maximum obstacle height of 2ft.
**Goldilocks: Stadium: 6-12 jumping efforts. Maximum obstacle height of 2'3”. Flowers and oxers may be added. Cross Country: 6-12 jumping efforts. Maximum obstacle height of 2'3”.
Pair Pace: Not eligible for end of year Grand and Reserve prizes
Ride eventing with a buddy. Both riders must jump all jumps, faults only, no time penalties. Same course and info as the Eventing divisions. Riders can cross into any pair pace division and ride multiple rounds.