Horse show
From ArticleWorld
A horse show is a judged competition for horses and ponies (and their riders, drivers and handlers). It occurs in a variety of forms and different emphasis on disciplines. Horse shows may be breed shows or open shows.
Open shows
Open shows are open to horses of all breeds and types, but usually focus on specific disciplines. Typically disciplines at open shows include:
- Hunter-jumper (where hunt-seat equitation classes are also often held)
- Dressage
- Combined training (which features, dressage, a cross-country jump course and stadium jumping)
- Sidesaddle (often at hunter-jumper shows)
- Saddleseat and gaited competitions (these are usually breed specific)
- Western shows that focus on pleasure, equitation and trail classes.
International disciplines
The international governing body for equestrian sport is the FEI, or Federation Equestre International. The disciplines that the FEI governs include:
- Dressage
- Pleasure driving
- Combined driving
- Endurance
- Eventing (combined training)
- Show jumping
- Show hunters and hunt seat
- Paraequestrian
- Reining
- Vaulting
Other organizations
In the United States, the United States Equestrian Federation is the governing body. This organization (and its sub groups) organizes horse shows in areas that don’t have international events, like hunters and equitation.
The Pony Club is an international organization that emphasizes horsemanship and riding for young people (25 and younger). It sponsors regional, national and international horses shows (for its members only) and clinics. There is some controversy around pony club, however, in that many people feel it focuses too much on horsemanship and not enough on practicality or riding ability. It mainly focuses on suitability for eventing.
The National Cutting Horse Association and the National Team Penning Championships are two western organizations that organize competitions.