Outside Show Info

Cost 
Showing is a great experience, but can be expensive. When costs are shared, an outside show is approximately $300-400. This amount is derived from the following:  horse usage costs, coaching, hauling (can vary), and entry fees. The cost can sometimes be reduced by sharing your horse with another rider.  Forever Friday Farm can provide the horse, coach, and trailer. Most shows will have a minimum number of riders needed in order to arrange an outing.

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Horse Usage Fees for students:

$70 for walk/trot events; gaming, western events, hunter, equitation, jumper or dressage show, shared or not *NOTE: RATED SHOWS MAY BE HIGHER

$90 canter/gallop (competitive) events; gaming, western events, eventing/ long trail ride / XC schooling

$350 Fox hunting (includes trailering within 30 miles and tacking service); $65 semi-private lesson fee for riding with a staff member (45 minutes) (required if a non-member of hunt); $10 discount for tacking/untacking your own horse properly.

Trailering: $1/mile each way; $65 minimum fee.

Coaching: 

$50-$85 on site.  

$50-$100+ off site

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Lessees get 5% Appreciation Discount when not sharing a horse.

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ALL FEES ARE DUE UPON SERVICE

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Once you commit to a show and reserve your horse a 24-hour cancellation policy is in effect. There will be a $65 flat rate charge for late cancellations or no-shows.

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Showing is a reflection of yourself and your barn. This requires proper attire that fits. You will need the following depending upon which events you choose to show in:

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Attire (Western Events)

A cowgirl/cowboy hat with a stampede strap to prevent losing it during competition or a helmet. Cowboy boots, comfortably fitted Jeans (no bling or studded pockets if using FFF saddles) button down or pearl snap long sleeve shirt with collar. Some name brand zip up shirts will be acceptable. Please check with your trainer. 

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Attire (hunter shows)
a show jacket in navy, black, grey, brown or green; a helmet with black velvet covering; a show shirt (pastel colors preferred) with monogramming, stock pin, or plain collar for girls OR a white, button-down shirt with necktie for boys; black leather gloves; belt; clean, polished short boots, jodhpurs, and garter straps for children under 13 OR tall boots with laces and breeches for children 13 and up. Show bows for the hair where rider is under age 13, and hair nets for 13 and over. There are many local tack shops to find these items. Some tack shops have used items for sale, or you may be able to find outgrown show clothes from older riders at the barn.

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Time
Horse showing takes time. Hunter or jumper shows have a prizelist that shows the order of the divisions, but there is no set schedule of when each class will begin and end. Eventing (horse trials) have exact times that you need to be in the ring. Even these times can run late, however. Western/Gaming usually do a draw and you can have an idea of when about you will need to be warmed up and in the holding pen. There will be extra time at the show where you are not riding and are waiting for your turn. This gives you an opportunity to review your patterns or jump course, watch, cheer-on and encourage the other riders from your barn, watch other classes and see if you can pick the winners, etc. Bring drinks, snacks, chairs, sun block, layers of clothing, and a hat to make your day more enjoyable and pop-up tents for shade.

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Preparation
The tack needs to be cleaned the day before the show. The saddle pads and girth need to be washed and dried. The horse needs to be bathed, groomed, and trimmed or braided. Sometimes, this is done the morning of the show. The trailer needs to be loaded up with all the items used in the show and ready to haul. The earlier this is done, the less frantic the morning of the show becomes and less likely you will find you have forgotten something.

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Divisions/Classes
Horse Shows are made up of divisions. Think of it as what level you are riding.  The divisions are classified by factors such as the type of riding, experience of rider, experience of horse, and age of rider. We will help you choose which division is the most appropriate and cost effective to enter. Normally, we recommend showing one level below what you are working on in your lessons. This is because you will be in unfamiliar surroundings, you will be nervous, and safety is paramount. Each division consists of a number of classes, usually two or three.

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Judging
The classes are judged individually. The way they are judged is different for each division. For example, the equitation classes judge only the rider, the pleasure classes judge only the horse, and other classes judge both. Beginning riders in hunter shows usually enter equitation classes where they are asked to walk, trot, and canter in a group. There may be a class with a few small jumps. Hunter classes are for more experienced riders. The judges will give the best scores to those showing a smooth, easy round where the horse keeps a nice, steady pace and jumps cleanly without knocking any rails down and the rider looks secure. Jumper classes and cross country are judged only on speed, rails down, and any refusals. Dressage is judged on the correct execution of the memorized test, and the movements are scored individually.

Western Gaming events are time based and your are racing against the clock. For beginners and novice riders is it absolutely OKAY to walk or walk/trot through your pattern. That is how you learn and progress and be safe. There are divisions generally set up for the level of rider.

Ribbons/Awards
Ribbons are awarded for the top 6 or 8 riders in each class but can vary depending upon each show and the number of enteries. No one knows when they go to a horse show how many riders will be entered. It is possible that 20 or more riders may have entered, or even more, making it very difficult to earn a ribbon. The experience of the other horses and riders is not known until they are viewed in the ring. A small mistake from a rider or bad behavior from a horse will affect the order of the ribbons. Championship and Reserve Championship ribbons are awarded for each division based on the cumulative scores from the riders in the division’s classes.  In eventing, usually there is only ribbon awarded for the combined score from dressage, show jumping, and cross country.

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Attitude
Everyone in a show wants to win the blue ribbon, but only one competitor in each class will get it. If your only goal is to win the blue ribbon, you will be disappointed most of the time. In your first shows, you really should be entering to gain experience performing in a competitive environment, being off farm with a horse, learning how shows work and what all it entails, riding your best, and trying something new on your horse. As you gain more experience, challenge yourself to ride better than the last show and develop a better partnership with your horse, be less nervous, and have fun. Eventually, you will earn a ribbon, or better ribbons. Stay positive. Don’t get discouraged, or discourage others. Be sensitive to the other riders in your barn, and at other barns, especially if they don’t do well. Don’t get angry with your horse if he makes a mistake. Horses have good and bad days, too. Horses get nervous and confused sometimes. Even if the worst happens: you fall off, have refusals, or go off course, remember that nearly every Olympic rider has done the same at some point in their riding career. If you feel overwhelmed, retreat to a quiet place and just spend some time with your horse. Remember that this is supposed to be fun and keep smiling! :) 

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