I don't think you are crazy. Maybe you could see if the 4H shows can expand or help out so that you can do more. Same with the one pony/mini show.
ANOTHER venue completely for in-hand classes - check out the hunter classes at hunter pony shows (some of those - you'd not be able to stretch your mini and it may not be appropriate for your mini at all). We presented most of our 1/2 Shetlands as hunter type ponies for several years - and they not only did well, but usually sold well, too. One year, I even pulled AJ's mane (our first stallion - mid-teens at the time) and showed him at several shows - generated interest and he got off the "farm" and LOVED IT! If nothing else, you'd get your "hooves wet".
I'm surprised - no driving shows?
Can you also send me info on the pony/mini show? Where? what classes etc?
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We seem to have several organizations here in NC for having Open Horse Shows. Two right here in my area... 30 miles away for the one in Wade, NC. 45 miles to the Johnston Cty Fairgrounds and 46 miles to the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh.
One incorporated pony classes (walk/trot; w/t/canter - eng or western - ponies can go up to 14.2 hh and sometimes it's gotten a bit wild...) + when asked brought in Mini classes (halter). It worked sometimes - but both the pony and mini participation disappeared (or rather - goes up and down). They didn't/don't have driving classes and driving isn't planned for the agenda anytime soon. Nor do they have trail classes - in hand or under saddle. It's basically a small, one day show that's pretty much kept the same classes for over 30 years. Some of the classes have been changed or added. Huntseat on the flat, cross rail jumping, verticle to 2'6", hunter hack, a total of 5 halter classes (I think... Can update tomorrow), 3 showmanship classes, western classes - pleasure & a patterned horsemanship class. Then gaited horse classes interspersed thru the western classes. The halter usually starts after lunch - around 1 ish. The judges are certified by the Open judges program here in NC - many are also carded judges in other breeds. As open show judges, they must be able to differentiate and judge ALL horse breeds (including minis and ponies) - though appear to go more with type (hunter, stock, saddle <arab, SB, morgan> and gaited). They also have to have knowledge of gaited horses - different types gaits and conformation. This particular show has done fairly well over the years. Sometimes they get sponsors (UMHA - a gaited horse organization) sponsors quite a number of classes now and they've had upwards of 30+ horses in their VERY SMALL, grass arena! The show grounds are 11 acres of wooded area, a "clubhouse" with large cement floored seating area with heat and air, a kitchen and 2 bathrooms. There is a 40' round pen made out of 4 strands of rope attached to wooden posts. There are two separate, but small, seating areas with ... grandstand type seating. The announcers booth is a 2 story wooden affair along one side of the arena. The property "housing" the organization is owned by a couple that farm the rest of their property - when we've had tons of rain and the ground is saturated - there is always at least one "rig" that gets stuck and one or more tractors are brought in to pull them out. For the most part the grounds are beautiful and the shows pleasant. They start at 9:45 on Sunday morning and it's usually over before 6 PM. The club members maintain the grounds, the club members donate some food and run the concessions from the big grill that is stored there. There are 4 shows a year - the class list remains the same throughout the year and there are year end awards. MOST of the shows DO earn a profit... Even if it's only $200 after the judge is paid, the light bill is paid, the 2 extra Porta-johns are paid and the food for the concession (burgers, dogs, cheese, buns, soda, water, coffee, condiments, chips, paper goods). This past year - many changes were installed and participation of beginners has now disappeared - with the tried and true regulars bringing their regular mounts and halter horses. I've been a member for several years now (help with upkeep of the grounds on a regular basis) and I've worked in the show office. My daughters have helped in the concession (s), done cleaning/maintenance, handed out ribbons, handled the gate at beginning/end of classes, checked coggins paperwork. This organization also does several trail rides per year - with several being long weekend affairs that are up in the mountains here in NC or VA. The girls and I have gone on several of their day trip rides - when we were riding on a regular basis. I've done a couple of drives with them where driving could be done on the trail rides. Currently they don't have a website. I know that the largest show they ever had was 367 entries (last year) and the smallest - 65 entries (hurricane a coming! several years ago. Yes that one LOST money - didn't even cover the judges' fee). I think the last time our one daughter showed there was in 2008, the first time our oldest showed was in 1998. I'm hoping to get our grand daughters showing there soon! LOVE the leadline class - right after lunch. It's fun and every child gets a ribbon. We've seen various dress and ages - one as young as 13 months and had a side walker on each side (Mom's BIG horse).
Some pics of ours competing - these 3 are all 1/2 shetlands, our oldest daughter showed our Arab mare, 14.1 hh (not pictured) - The 1st two pics are from Nov & Oct 2000.
I couldn't pass up this one...
Another group in our area has taken off and really GROWN. Also started as a pretty "simple" one day format, it's often at least 2 days. They started catering to the hunter folk many years ago, but as the other participation grew, they've added an extra day. Looks like they've added Dressage to their show lists as well as held their first Gaming show on Aug 3rd. They also now go up to the Hunt Horse Complex (Raleigh Fairgrounds) for at least one, think two this year, shows/year. They now have a separate Mini show w/ each of their shows. While the minis aren't required to be registered, I've been told that my larger Shetlands and overgrown minis don't qualify. They do have driving classes - the halter is held in a roped off arena I believe with a mini judge but not positive on that. They have trail in hand and jumping in hand. I don't know if they have obstacle driving. I haven't been to a full show with them in quite some time as it often coincides with other activities, but they DO have a site and you could talk with either Michelle or her husband, Blaine, about the Mini show(s) and how they run it. Here is their website:
Johnston County Horse Show Series (JCHSS) The Johnston County grounds have really improved over the years and it's not a hot, clay (RED) dust bowl anymore. There are several vendors that go to the shows now and usually one has Mini stuff! I'm assuming they are at least "breaking even" or there is no way they could afford to have the shows... but I don't know and again haven't been a member or a competitor with their organization in years. (I did some more pics in another post)
There are a couple of new ones, too. One is concentrating on the Natural Horse and Agility stuff. The last time I checked, theirs seemed really expensive - at the time, I couldn't swing it with other things we were doing (when I figured out different horse(s), 2 teen children and myself came to around $600 for about a 4 hour show - not including gas for 1 hour drive or food). I will have to search for a link.
There is also the Piedmont Saddle Club - that hosts open shows from their show arena (about 2 hours away from us). I don't know much about their shows - was going to go check them out as they often hold the ECMHC meetings at their club set up...
Piedmont Saddle Club
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Let us know how your search for shows OR putting on shows goes!! I'd love to know.