| Although horse shows may seem chaotic to the | | | | the horse and/or rider with the last placing announced |
| newcomer -- horses and people are wandering | | | | first. The announcer then works his way up the list until |
| everywhere -- events are very well organized. A lot | | | | finally giving the name of the first place winner. Most of |
| goes into putting on an event like this. The place for | | | | the shows place horses from the first to sixth place, |
| the show itself must be secured in advance. Show | | | | although some bigger shows will go as far as tenth |
| premiums (the list of classes and the entry form) must | | | | place. In a large class show, even a tenth place award |
| be sent out to contestants. Then, we can forget to | | | | is an honor to receive. |
| find willing and able judges for the events. | | | | The types of awards depends upon the particular |
| As you watch the contest, you'll be very aware of the | | | | show. Just about all equestrian events give ribbons to |
| judges and the awards given to winners. After all, | | | | the winners. Each placing will have a different color, |
| most of us are there to win. In the following sections, I'll | | | | although the color standards can vary from country to |
| go over judging, placings, and awards that are part of | | | | country. In the U.S. shows, ribbon colors usually follow |
| every equestrian competition. Knowing how an | | | | the guideline below: |
| equestrian show works can help you get the most out | | | | First: blue |
| of them, whether you are a spectator or a competitor. | | | | Second: red |
| A Brief Look at Judging | | | | Third: yellow |
| In most contest classes, deciding winners is kind of a | | | | Fourth: white |
| subjective thing. In other words, the person presiding | | | | Fifth: pink |
| over a particular class determines the first place | | | | Sixth: green |
| winner and other placings based on the judge's opinion. | | | | Seventh: purple |
| Although they try to adhere to a standard when | | | | Eighth: brown |
| making their decisions, the choice is ultimately rather a | | | | Ninth: gray |
| personal one. Still, it's very bad form not to remain | | | | Tenth: light blue |
| respectful of the results. Many judges volunteer their | | | | For still higher awards, such as Champion or Reserve |
| time and don't get paid for the work they do; others | | | | Champion, winners take home trophies and/or large, |
| just receive a stipend from the sponsoring club. | | | | fancy ribbons. At the bigger national shows, those |
| Fortunately, timed events like show jumping and | | | | awards would go to the first and second place |
| gymkhana, which are speed events, are not subjective. | | | | winners respectively. In some shows, cash awards are |
| In those contests the horse either accomplishes the | | | | even part of the deal. Cash prizes depend in large part |
| goal or doesn't. The results in those classes are | | | | on the particular discipline. For instance, a cash prize |
| cut-and-dried. So who are these judges, anyway, that | | | | may be awarded at certain western style events like |
| can make or break a contestant's afternoon? Most | | | | reining. At large jumping shows, horse-and-rider teams |
| are very experienced equestrians who have | | | | could earn thousands of dollars for a top prize. |
| themselves competed in the events they're judging. | | | | Please don't let this little description satisfy your |
| Many are trainers in those disciplines. Some are even | | | | curiosity. Let it whet your appetite for a memorable |
| tested well beforehand to demonstrate that they are | | | | family fun day. Take a camera, shoot some video, and |
| knowledgeable enough to be a judge. | | | | let the competitive spirit get into your blood. You may |
| Awards and Placings | | | | someday find yourself holding your breath when it's |
| As you hear the judge's decision in each class, placings | | | | your chance to win a ribbon. |
| come into play. At most shows, the announcer names | | | | |