Horse Show Etiquette

MiniNHF · May 28, 2014

This discussion is for all types of horse shows you have experienced things at, Miniature, QH, Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, Driving etc.... biggest thing to me and what I have been taught is Horse Show Etiqutte and where do you draw the line.

I was taught to be polite to judges, even if you have an experience with a judge that does particularly likes your horse (in halter, dressage etc), you still acknowledge them, say hello etc. My horse never did well in Dressage but I always told the judge good morning etc when I went by their booth, even if they are writting something; they appreciate the courtesy and will most likely forgive a small mistake.

Something I have seen in local shows, be it big horse or miniature shows is holding a class for someone who is late... not the ones who have multiple horses and have to swap out because they dont have any one to help but people who are just not paying attention sitting around and just mosey on into the class when they get there... when is enough is enough and a judge should just close the class or move on to the next rider? Ive seen classes etc get held up for 15 mins or more; to me that breaks the concentration/mind set of the horse and exhibitor/rider because of the delay and can cause a bad showing. Its rude to the other competitors and the judges.

So go ahead and put up your experiences, opinions even if they are rants

lucky seven · May 28, 2014

I don't show and the only shows I get to is the local county fair once in awhile. My comment is about the people that always show up late, there always seems to be one, they do it and get away with it because they know they can. They may be doing this because IT DOES break the concentration of the horses and exhibitors, theirs is calm while yours is getting antsy. Or, they just don't care.

MiniNHF · May 28, 2014

lucky seven said:
I don't show and the only shows I get to is the local county fair once in awhile. My comment is about the people that always show up late, there always seems to be one, they do it and get away with it because they know they can. They may be doing this because IT DOES break the concentration of the horses and exhibitors, theirs is calm while yours is getting antsy. Or, they just don't care.

Another thing I hate is they will still place high or even win after doing something like this... if I was judging I know I would be docking points no matter how good their horse is. Ive seen in a dressage test when I scribed (sp?) one time, where a rider was just plain late and you could tell there was no sense of urgency or any comment of apology when they went by the box; obviously they just didnt care and was taking their own good time. The horse was fabulous but the judge scored them low for their rudeness with the whole situation.

Reignmaker Miniatures · May 28, 2014

I have a problem with green handlers and stallions at shows. This is at miniature shows where a handler must be an 'adult' in age but may still have little or no experience with a stallion. I have seen stallions in the holding area that are allowed to interact with other horses (not politely I might add) while the handler chats with bystanders or watches the class in the ring never noticing what her horse is up to. It is bad enough when it is a gelding or mare but stallions, even minis, can be bad news if the handler is lax. I've seen others horses bit, passers by caught in a aggressive grab at another horse and people kicked. I've seen a stallion in a driving class lined up so close to another horse and so clearly trying to intimidate it that the other driver had to ask to be excused because their horse was so upset.

Performancemini · May 28, 2014

I applaud the judge at a Shetland show that excused a stallion and handler. It was a halter class of aged stallions. The stallion just got more and more obnoxious as the class went on. He had his "equipment" out and ready and finally mounted his handler from the rear. It took the ring steward and judge to help get him off and under control! (The handler WAS experienced and not unknown). The judge disqualified and excused that stallion from not only the class, but from the rest of the show. My husband and I decided the stallion not only needed to be gelded but have a lobotomy!

MiniNHF · May 28, 2014

Reignmaker Miniatures said:
I have a problem with green handlers and stallions at shows. This is at miniature shows where a handler must be an 'adult' in age but may still have little or no experience with a stallion. I have seen stallions in the holding area that are allowed to interact with other horses (not politely I might add) while the handler chats with bystanders or watches the class in the ring never noticing what her horse is up to. It is bad enough when it is a gelding or mare but stallions, even minis, can be bad news if the handler is lax. I've seen others horses bit, passers by caught in a aggressive grab at another horse and people kicked. I've seen a stallion in a driving class lined up so close to another horse and so clearly trying to intimidate it that the other driver had to ask to be excused because their horse was so upset.

Performancemini said:
I applaud the judge at a Shetland show that excused a stallion and handler. It was a halter class of aged stallions. The stallion just got more and more obnoxious as the class went on. He had his "equipment" out and ready and finally mounted his handler from the rear. It took the ring steward and judge to help get him off and under control! (The handler WAS experienced and not unknown). The judge disqualified and excused that stallion from not only the class, but from the rest of the show. My husband and I decided the stallion not only needed to be gelded but have a lobotomy!

Ive seen even non-green handlers not make their stallions behave at shows. I was told to stay away from one if I was stuck in a class with them because their stallion had no manners and would kick and strike out so to give them plenty of room if they were in front of me so not to disrupt my boy.

My boy is pretty quiet and well behaved in the ring and in general. But I cant believe someone would not correct their stallion to put up his "equipment" before they went into the ring. Im constantly watching my stallion for that especially when I know my class is coming up because he loves to talk to mares, I guess he thinks hes young and hot stuff lol.

fourluckyhorseshoes · May 29, 2014

Just a note that it's not just stallions--I was standing in line behind a mare at a show, must have been a little too close and she kicked out at me and my mare. Yikes !

Performancemini · May 30, 2014

You never know what a horse will do. Kind of scary. Especially with the kids. Had a class my little niece was in where a horse backed up and kicked at the horse behind it. Just missed horse and child. And the child handler just looked confused. And at our county fair, where the child halter classes are a mixture of minis, shetlands, welsh and haflingers it's really nerve racking as there are usually 15-20 in the class and lined up side by side with only a horse width between.

The other child thing I saw and didn't like is a child in a class they don't belong in-also as in, not ready for. My mother was driving in an "Open" western country pleasure class and a child of about 8 or 9 (had shown some before) was in the class. Not too many entries. But the child was all over the place. Didn't stay on the rail well and did a lousy job of reversing, not looking well, etc. This wasn't the horse the child usually drove and I think it was too much for her. I can see an older child driving in Open that is better able to handle a horse or if the child is driving a steady horse they are well used to-but this was annoying, unwise and unsafe. The judge placed her accordingly. (P.S. I'm not against youth-love working with and helping them).

MiniNHF · Jun 2, 2014

I think if a horse is agressive and kicks they need to have a red ribbon in their tail. That is what they do in the equitation classes, so that makes the person behind you aware to give that horse plenty of space. Doesnt have to be anything huge, I have seen as simple as some red yarn before.

FurstPlaceMiniatures · Jun 3, 2014

I have a HUGE problem with DOGS at shows. Mine is well behaved and I keep him leashed, we bring his crate and put it on the trailer if we can't be right with him. Other people that let them off leash? what are they thinking?

Had one red heeler (loose) try to nip at my 32" mini's heels while at a show - I have never hit anything so hard with my lunge whip in my life! Owner got peeved and went and complained to show office - they fined her for it, wouldn't let her show any of her or her clients horses that day until it was paid, and had NO sympathy! Thank God, because if they had sided with her it would've been our last ever show on that circuit.

Moral of the story - it's a horse show not a dog show. Leave Fido at home if possible!

Field-of-Dreams · Jun 4, 2014

FurstPlaceMiniatures said:
I have a HUGE problem with DOGS at shows. Mine is well behaved and I keep him leashed, we bring his crate and put it on the trailer if we can't be right with him. Other people that let them off leash? what are they thinking?

Had one red heeler (loose) try to nip at my 32" mini's heels while at a show - I have never hit anything so hard with my lunge whip in my life! Owner got peeved and went and complained to show office - they fined her for it, wouldn't let her show any of her or her clients horses that day until it was paid, and had NO sympathy! Thank God, because if they had sided with her it would've been our last ever show on that circuit.

Moral of the story - it's a horse show not a dog show. Leave Fido at home if possible!

We were at a parade in March, and there was this Schnauzer that just wouldn't leave us alone as were were driving around. His owner didn't tie him, called him off twice. The third time I cracked him with my whip- hard. He then left.... ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

MiniNHF · Jun 4, 2014

I dont take my little dog to shows because I just dont have the time to tend to her when I have the horse to worry about. As of right now she has never been around or seen a horse so I have no idea how she will act until I teach her about them. She is not a mean dog but she is a rescue and every and anything scares her so at this point she stays home.

Minimor · Jun 22, 2014

pet peeves about horse shows....

Well, I have no patience for those exhibitors who are late for their classes. Worst case I have seen, I think, was at a fair years ago. One particular breed class was being called to the ring. After several calls, still no ponies--so the next class (mine) was directed to go into the ring. We went in--the whole class was in, and then here came the missing entries from the previous class. If I were running the show they would have been told to wait until the class now in the ring was finished (it's not like they didn't have plenty of calls, and plenty of time before that to get ready!) but no--that particular show management directed us out of the ring so that the latecomers could come in for their class.

now--I would have to say that I think every exhibitor should have to, at least once, take entries for a horse show. Maybe.....MAYBE...some people would then have a better appreciation for how much work is involved with taking and processing entries, and for how much time that takes....and MAYBE they would then understand why there are entry deadlines and why it is important for exhibitors to meet those deadlines. If an exhibitor is late with their entries it is, frankly, rude and inconsiderate--even disrespectful to the show secretary. the more horses you have, the more classes you enter, the more work it is and the more time it takes to process your entries. Bringing more horses to a show does not make you more special nor more important than anyone else, and you should still be courteous and follow the rules and adhere to deadlines.

Another pet peeve I have--sore losers. I have seen exhibitors be downright ignorant to the judge, right in the ring, after he didn't place that exhibitor well. I have seen exhibitors get very angry after losing a class--they blame the judge, they blame show management for hiring a bad judge (their opinion) they blame other exhibitors for cheating in some way, they complain of politics. I do not deny that politics exists in horse showing--I know that it does--but I also know that it is not as rampant as some people claim. I know there are incompetent judges...but I also know that many times it is the exhibitor himself who is to blame for not placing higher than he/she did. I have seen someone lose a grooming class (4-H) because their horse was FILTHY. The judge ran a white gloved finger down the horse's back and the glove finger came away dark with dirt. exhibitor patted the horse on the shoulder and a cloud of dust rose from under her hand. That kind of grooming does not deserve to win a grooming class. Yet still that exhibitor complained that the kids placing above her had cheated. I have seen someone place lower than she thought she deserved--she was furious with the judge because her horse had won big elsewhere with a former owner...she apparently was not considering that with the former owner the horse was very, very fit. When she showed the horse he was fat and not in condition. Sometimes a very nice horse gets presented poorly and so loses the class. Sometimes owners do not see any conformation flaws in their horses, even if there is a glaring fault in the horse--and they believe the judging is unfair if they don't win. Maybe their horse stood still while the winning horse moved a few times....maybe even though the winning horse did not stand perfectly still the judge could still tell that he was a better individual than the one that stood completely still...

Another peeve--poorly run shows. I have been to shows that were an hour or more late in starting. No apparent reason for being late, just nothing happening--no real interest in trying to run their show on schedule. Hate that!

Once went to a fair that was a disaster. There was a new show manager and he was creating difficulties where there should not have been difficulties. The rest of the show committee were very annoyed, the exhibitors were more than annoyed...I thought they were going to form a lynch mob that morning and eliminate the guy. He was a family friend at the time and I liked him--but that morning I would have happily joined in with the lynch mob!! LOL

MiniNHF · Jun 23, 2014

Minimor said:
pet peeves about horse shows....

Well, I have no patience for those exhibitors who are late for their classes. Worst case I have seen, I think, was at a fair years ago. One particular breed class was being called to the ring. After several calls, still no ponies--so the next class (mine) was directed to go into the ring. We went in--the whole class was in, and then here came the missing entries from the previous class. If I were running the show they would have been told to wait until the class now in the ring was finished (it's not like they didn't have plenty of calls, and plenty of time before that to get ready!) but no--that particular show management directed us out of the ring so that the latecomers could come in for their class.

Yeah I have definitely seen that before and its aggrivating, it will throw your concentration off as well as your poor horses.

now--I would have to say that I think every exhibitor should have to, at least once, take entries for a horse show. Maybe.....MAYBE...some people would then have a better appreciation for how much work is involved with taking and processing entries, and for how much time that takes....and MAYBE they would then understand why there are entry deadlines and why it is important for exhibitors to meet those deadlines. If an exhibitor is late with their entries it is, frankly, rude and inconsiderate--even disrespectful to the show secretary. the more horses you have, the more classes you enter, the more work it is and the more time it takes to process your entries. Bringing more horses to a show does not make you more special nor more important than anyone else, and you should still be courteous and follow the rules and adhere to deadlines.

I have helped run eventing shows before and any show is a ton of work no matter how big or small, the organization is all the same. Most competitors dont understand and can be very disrespectful as you said.

Another pet peeve I have--sore losers. I have seen exhibitors be downright ignorant to the judge, right in the ring, after he didn't place that exhibitor well. I have seen exhibitors get very angry after losing a class--they blame the judge, they blame show management for hiring a bad judge (their opinion) they blame other exhibitors for cheating in some way, they complain of politics. I do not deny that politics exists in horse showing--I know that it does--but I also know that it is not as rampant as some people claim. I know there are incompetent judges...but I also know that many times it is the exhibitor himself who is to blame for not placing higher than he/she did. I have seen someone lose a grooming class (4-H) because their horse was FILTHY. The judge ran a white gloved finger down the horse's back and the glove finger came away dark with dirt. exhibitor patted the horse on the shoulder and a cloud of dust rose from under her hand. That kind of grooming does not deserve to win a grooming class. Yet still that exhibitor complained that the kids placing above her had cheated. I have seen someone place lower than she thought she deserved--she was furious with the judge because her horse had won big elsewhere with a former owner...she apparently was not considering that with the former owner the horse was very, very fit. When she showed the horse he was fat and not in condition. Sometimes a very nice horse gets presented poorly and so loses the class. Sometimes owners do not see any conformation flaws in their horses, even if there is a glaring fault in the horse--and they believe the judging is unfair if they don't win. Maybe their horse stood still while the winning horse moved a few times....maybe even though the winning horse did not stand perfectly still the judge could still tell that he was a better individual than the one that stood completely still...

Another peeve--poorly run shows. I have been to shows that were an hour or more late in starting. No apparent reason for being late, just nothing happening--no real interest in trying to run their show on schedule. Hate that!

Once went to a fair that was a disaster. There was a new show manager and he was creating difficulties where there should not have been difficulties. The rest of the show committee were very annoyed, the exhibitors were more than annoyed...I thought they were going to form a lynch mob that morning and eliminate the guy. He was a family friend at the time and I liked him--but that morning I would have happily joined in with the lynch mob!! LOL

Riverrose28 · Jun 25, 2014

One thing that bothers me is other exhibitors that use my stuff. For example, I'm sorry you forgot your water bucket if you ask I'll loan you one, but don't take mine without permission. If you sit in my lawn chair, that's OK, but when I come back from the ring and want to sit down, please get up. Oh and tie your water bucket up so your horse doesn't spill water into my horses stall, bedding is expensive. For heaven sakes when spending a week or more at Nationals please pick out your stall, the odor is getting to be a bit much. Sweep up your mess out of the aisle, I sweep up mine and I expect the same curtesy. When my coffee pot is plugged in at my tack stall, please don't unplug it so you can plug in your computer, don't you have your own outlet at your stalls, I don't want to hear your excuse that you can't get wi-fi at your stall, I want my coffee! Done ranting for now!

MiniNHF · Jul 14, 2014

Here is another one for ya: walking up to someone you dont know and their horse you know nothing about and making a rude remark... ive had that happen not just on the miniature front but the riding front as well.

MiniNHF · Jul 21, 2014

Just to bank off of the last post I made, had a woman this past weekend at the big horse show I was at, say as loud as she could to her daughter on her small horse/large pony mare to "stay away from that little pony because he is a stud colt" in a tone that made it sound like because my horse was a stallion he is unruly or something. I think it was uncalled for to announce that statement to the world and should have just walked up to her daughter and stated that.

I dont like someone putting a "label" on my horse because he is a stallion; was he screaming a lot yes, but he was VERY nervous because he had never been around that many big horses in his life and I think there was 2 other minis there. But when this statement was made when he was grazing very quietly with me near the show ring. But I know one thing, when he got into that ring he was all business and made some of their horses look bad that couldnt stand well or circling the entire time in the halter class.

I forgot how ignorant "show moms" can be in the riding world, but that reminded me real quick.

Performancemini · Jul 22, 2014

MiniNHF: Your comments in your first post above about the rude comments within your hearing reminded me of an incident when I was a girl. I was about 11 or 12 and had only had our pony for a year or two. She was a very lovely grade Shetland. She could probably have done very well in the show ring today in the Foundation classes. Had a head lovely enough for a Classic. Very good confirmation and movement ( took my Dad forever to find us our first pony-guess that was why)-Anyway- my first year in 4-H I was won the pony mare class and went on to take Grand Champion Pony. My Dad, Mom, little sister and I were standing at her stall when another exhibitor's father came up and asked a little about her and then said "Well, your pony was placed too high. My daughter's pony is a registered Welsh and has many wins at the Welsh shows." My Dad politely replied that he might want to downgrade a child's pony when the child was not standing right there in the future. Yea Dad!!! I was so thrilled with my pony's win luckily that the comment flew right over my head. I do look back on it now as a reminder of what my Dad said though.

MiniNHF · Jul 22, 2014

Performancemini said:
MiniNHF: Your comments in your first post above about the rude comments within your hearing reminded me of an incident when I was a girl. I was about 11 or 12 and had only had our pony for a year or two. She was a very lovely grade Shetland. She could probably have done very well in the show ring today in the Foundation classes. Had a head lovely enough for a Classic. Very good confirmation and movement ( took my Dad forever to find us our first pony-guess that was why)-Anyway- my first year in 4-H I was won the pony mare class and went on to take Grand Champion Pony. My Dad, Mom, little sister and I were standing at her stall when another exhibitor's father came up and asked a little about her and then said "Well, your pony was placed too high. My daughter's pony is a registered Welsh and has many wins at the Welsh shows." My Dad politely replied that he might want to downgrade a child's pony when the child was not standing right there in the future. Yea Dad!!! I was so thrilled with my pony's win luckily that the comment flew right over my head. I do look back on it now as a reminder of what my Dad said though.

My trainer one time had to stand up for me in the middle of the warm up ring when my 4 yr old little mare ( I was only 10) was refusing over and over again because of the deep mud and a young guy came up and said obviously my mare and I were out of our league. I guess he didnt see my trainer with me and boy did he lay into him and when that guy came out of the show ring my dad laid into him haha. He was a rude @hole.

poniesrule · Jul 22, 2014

Ok, so the stud comment... I would be guilty of saying something like that to my daughter. Mostly because she's 7 & usually has her head in the clouds and isn't paying attention to what she's doing & is lagging behind me. Like at our first mini show this month, she was dinking around and I was trying to walk to the bathroom with my toddler who was doing the pee dance, my 7 year old was watching what was going on in the arena and wasn't paying attention to the stallion that was throwing a fit ahead of her. I had to say loudly, but not quite shouting, "watch out, that horse is a little stud and he needs room. Pay attention!" I didn't mean it as a negative comment toward the horse or the handler, I wanted my daughter to pay attention. And I always try to make sure my girls understand that there are certain horses that are going to act a little different based on their gender... stallions can be "study" & mares who are in heat can be "mareish" heck, our gelding is a grumpus half the time. In your case I think it was absolutely uncalled for because your little man was chillaxing at the time. But as a mom with kids who are just getting around horses, I tend to be a little over protective while being understanding. And show-mom... I really really try hard not to be like that, but failed miserably at our show because I was so nervous. Guess who brought home a bunch of 1st place ribbons & who didn't! My kids beat me soundly all the way around, thank you nerves. It was my first time at an actual show rather than a pay day/gymkhana. We learned a lot, and I read this whole thread several times before going

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