Show Information
Apparel, Expectations, Costs,
Information for Observers
The Day of the Show

Parents this is going to be an exciting day for you and your
super equestrian. We have worked hard to get to this point
and we want it to be a great day for everybody. To help you
child you'll want to be aware of some things.
First realise that your child will be nervous and excited but
that they will still need to listen to instructors to do their best
so when the instructor is with you child it will help if you go
ahead and head for the spectator area unless asked to do
otherwise.  Second any comments that you have for you
child should be positive in nature for your child as well as
those they were competing against and reserved until after
they are off their horse and out of the arena area. The only
people who should be giving instructions are the judge or any
help that the judge may be using. Third Please note that
proper show etiquette by participants and spectators
dictates that the decisions of the judge are final and you
should not approach the judge. If there is a dispute in placing
please let the trainer know and let them handle it.  This is
really a beneficial activity for students of every age.

It is a good idea to have the following on hand to help
keep your child comfortable.

1. A bag or fanny pack containing the following
2. Water or a sports drink. Please no sugary or carbonated
drinks until after the child has finished their classes.
3. A snack such as a power bar or granola bar again sugary
or high fat snacks are not suggested at this time. At our
home show we will have food available for purchase and a
lunch break.
4. A brush and extra rubber bands for fly away hair
5. One cloth for wiping boots after student has mounted and
other such sundries.
6. Lip balm and sunscreen
7. Camera for all those picture perfect moments!
8.  Your smile enjoy the day.
Again we are looking forward to having you and your  small
equestrian joining us. Feel free to ask any questions that you
might have I'll be happy to answer them. See you in the arena
-Tiffany
Remember Students
and Parents shows
are not all about
ribbons but what you
learn from them. So
please be supportive
of all the participants.
Thanks

-The Judge's
decisions are final.
Horse show shopping list

English Riders please wear
For your Head
-Helmet (if you don't own one you can use one of ours)
-Hair net (can be purchased at drugstores)
-Hair should be braided or tied back and worn under hairnet.
For your Top Half
-Button up shirt no print solid color with collar
-Fitted jacket or v necked long sleeved sweater
-Black gloves these can either be cotton or leather
For your Bottom Half
-Breeches, Jodhpurs, or stretch pants in either tan, dark blue,
or gray.
-If breeches are not available please wear stretch pants in the
colors above.
-half chaps may be worn
-Proper riding boots with 1-11/2 inch heel. These can either be
paddock boots or knee rubber or leather boots.
For Parents
For Parents and other Supporters of
Riders

Things to look for when your rider is in the show ring
Please keep in mind horses move away from pressure.
Pressure is applied with rider's legs and with their seat
bones and hands. So there is more going on between
horse and rider than meets the eye.
  • Proper posture: This means each rider should be sitting up
    straight  They should sit in such a manner so that if you were
    to drop a line from the sky down past these points on the
    rider the line would go directly straight through each point.
    There are 3 lines: line #1 ear to shoulder to hip to heel
    (looking from the side of the rider) line # 2 toe under knee
    with heels down ( this helps the rider balance properly) line
    #3 elbow to wrist to horses mouth.
  • You want to see the rider looking up between the horses ears
    and and ahead to show the horse where they want to go.
  • Riders need to keep hands hip level, forward towards the
    horses head, with soft flexible hands and arms that move with
    the movement of the horses head.
  • Judges will watch to see how well the rider controls the horse.
  • Judges look for all the above plus how quietly (not using big
    gestures) the rider communicates with the horse
  • Judges also look for the attitude of the rider and horse
    looking for relaxed pleasant attitudes.
  • Above all we want to encourage the joy of horseback riding
    and we use shows to learn how well we are utilizing our skills
    that we learn in lessons.  Please help us maintain this
    experience as a positive one.
  • Some horse lingo: on the rail means to stay next to the
    fence while walking of stopping, reverse on the rail means to
    change directions staying close to the fence, correct diagonal
    means that the rider should stand up when the front leg
    closest to the rail comes forward and sit down when it goes
    back. The up and down motion a rider does when the horse
    trots (one speed faster than a walk) is called posting.
  • Finally for safety while enjoying the show please observe the
    following Safety rules: Do not walk closely behind and
    horse or stand right in front of the horse, they cannot
    see you and you could startle them., please don't use
    flash photography, please don't make rapid
    movements around horses, no shouting, throwing
    objects, or running (this includes any younger siblings
    that may accompany the rider). Please be aware that
    some horses find different objects like umbrellas for
    instance alarming so please listen and cooperate with
    show staff if they ask you to move or put away a certain
    object it is only for safety of riders and horses. Please
    don't feed any of the horses unless it has been cleared
    by the owner or trainer.
  • Thank you for coming and we hope this extra
    information helps you enjoy the show more.
An Explanation of Show Costs and Fees

If this is your child's first time attending a show
this is a brief description of costs associated
with attending and participating in shows.

For my program the majority of the shows that
your child will participate in are at "home
shows" held at the stables where your
equestrian takes his or her lessons.

For our purposes all other show will be referred
to as "Away Shows" meaning that some form of
travel will be required of trainer, horse and
rider to attend show and will not be located on
the grounds where the participant normally has
his or her lessons.

Types of Shows
Schooling Shows: This type of show is the one
in which the majority of my students participate.
In a schooling show the judge will often take
time at the end of a class to give feed back to a
rider on how they can improve in their next
class.  These shows are invaluable for building
confidence, comprehension in the sport, a
positive sportsmanship attitude, and much
more. Dress regulations for this type of show
are usually quite relaxed. Riders in this type of
show are there to either start their showing
experience or that of their horses. The
atmosphere tends to not be as intense. The
class fees associated with type of show are
usually minimal. The level of difficulty in the
classes is also lower as more emphasis is
being put on education versus performance.

Rated Shows: This is where the competition
becomes more intense.  Dress regulations are
usually very strictly enforced.  Riders involved
in this type of show are earning points for
themselves as riders and for their horses so
they can advance. You will find all riding levels
at this type of show from beginning through
professionals. Ratings go from C through A
which is the highest rating and therefore
difficulty level. Class fees are generally higher
at a rated show and most rated shows are
some type of "Away show".

Fees
There are often a number of fees associated
with shows aside from the apparel aspect of
shows. Here is a number of fees to consider
before doing a show.  This list is not
comprehensive and please understand that
different instructors charge different fees so
please be sure to have a detailed conversation
with your instructor before embarking on a
show so that you don't have any financial
surprises.

Terms and descriptions
Coaching Fee: This is a fee that covers the
instructors time in coaching the student
through the regulations and expectations of the
show. As well as making sure that the horse is
exercised in warm up day as well as show day.
This can either be arrived at with a daily fee or
show fee that applies for the whole show.
Registration Fee: This is a fee paid to the
stables or location holding the show for
providing arena, Judge for classes and other
facility expenses.
Class Fee:  This fee covers the cost of
ribbons and in some rated shows also goes
toward a cup or pot won by the winner of the
class. Class fees will vary depending on the
level of difficulty of the class as well as the type
of show, i.e. schooling show classes don't cost
as much as a cup class where the winner takes
all.
Stall Fee: For those students attending an
"Away Show you will need to plan on paying a
stall fee daily for the totality of your horse
being stabled at the show. There may be
additional cost for bedding which you may be
required to purchase from the site as well as a
hay fee. You or someone from your stable is
required to keep the stalls clean and in good
condition as well as to set up and clean up the
stall at the end of the show. You are also
responsible for making sure that your horse
has fresh water and hay at all times.
Farrier/Vet. Fees: All Rated shows require
that your horse be seen by the show vet and
farrier to make sure that everyone is on an
even ground for competition.
Trailoring Fee: This fee covers the expense
of hauling the horse to and from the exhibition
site. The cost can be reduced by sharing a
trailor with another competitor from your
stables and splitting the cost.

Carousel Series Schooling Shows Fees
Requirements and fees for my schooling shows.
Please see the shopping list for dress
requirements.
Fees:
Registration Fees: $15/ rider
Class Fees:$10/ Class minimum of 3 classes
required
Instructor Fee:$55
Please plan on spending around $100.00
per show.

Little Bits Schooling Shows Fees
Requirements and fees for my schooling shows.
Please see the shopping list for dress
requirements.
Fees:
Registration/Class Fees: are the same price
as one lesson
Instructor Fee:$25-35 depending on lesson
price
Please plan on spending $100.00 per
show. (we treat the show as a lesson for
that week)
B.Equestrian
Release Forms
Click Here
Foxcroft
Release Forms
Click Here
Hidden Hills
Release Forms
Click Here