This month, I planned to discuss the evolution of the trail class. And then, I got an e-mail from someone who made me realize that I have to take one step back before I can take a step forward.
This person told me, “I like the localized reports on the world shows. I’ve always been a bit stumped about what those shows are, but I know they are important.”
I believe a good column should be relevant to its readers. As a western rider who is surrounded by articles on jumping and dressage, I assumed all my western readers were savvy about the competitions that are available for them. I realize now why you should never assume; so I’m going to talk a little bit about shows, the western divisions and why World shows are important.
Basically, there are three types of shows: event, association and breed competitions. Most people are familiar with event shows, like jumping. The fences may be different heights, the horses may be different breeds, but everyone is doing the same thing – jumping.
Association competitions consist of many types of events for the people who belong to their association. The Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association (PCHA) is an example of this. They have both english and western divisions, and hold shows for members who want to compete against other riders, regardless of their horse’s breed.
Breed competitions are for people who have a certain breed of horse. Most horse breeds have a registry that is governed by an association. These associations are interested in promoting the best of their breed. Their shows consist of many types of events, from Western Pleasure to Hunter Under Saddle, and even jumping. Each association wants to showcase the versatility of their horses, holding many shows over the year. They usually have one show that attracts competitors from all over the nation, if not the world.
Within breed or association competitions, the western events are divided into two basic types, pleasure and speed. Pleasure events call for a calm, slow-moving horse that “looks like a pleasure to ride.” Each gait, the walk, jog or lope, must show forward motion, but they should be easy and collected, with a smaller stride than their english counterparts. The classes in this type of event are Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Western Riding and Trail.
Speed events are exactly as the name implies. The horse may still show the collected, small stride of a western gait, but there is nothing slow-moving about them. Reining is the most popular of the speed events, but the others are equally exciting to watch. They include, among others, working cow horse, cutting, heading and heeling, pole bending and barrel racing.
There are good reasons for showing at any of these types of competitions, but many people who own a particular breed like to show within their breed association. One reason for this is their desire to promote their horse. Arabian owners love the look and temperament of their horses and want to compete with other Arabians. Likewise, if you’re a Paint horse owner, you may love to compete in a sea of spots.
Another reason for showing within a breed is to participate in multiple events. Like people, horses get bored doing the same old thing. A horse that’s been doing nothing but rail work may enjoy an equitation class, where they perform a pattern at cones. Some horses even cross over between english and western classes.
World shows are the high point of the competition year for most breeds. The Arabian Horse Association holds “Nationals,” but they are comparable to the World Shows held by the American Paint Horse Association, the Appaloosa Horse Club and others. These shows are bigger, attract more top competitors and give out larger awards, from buckles to money. Winning, or even placing, at one of these shows, is a proud moment for any exhibitor, validating their hard work and increasing the visibility, and value, of their horse.
The World shows held by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) are slightly different. The association wanted their show to be a competition of champions. They set a number of points per event for a horse to accumulate within a year in order to be eligible. Earning an invitation to the show is comparable to an Oscar nomination; it’s an honor just to be included in the group. As for prizes, they typically have over $2 million in money, saddles, buckles and more.
Sooner Trailers sponsors the All-Around Amateur and Superhorse titles, giving a three-horse trailer with dressing room to each winner. The AQHA now hosts three World shows for its members: a Youth World for those under 18, a Select World for those over 50 and their original World show, now limited to amateur and open riders. A win at one of these shows is an experience you’ll never forget.
I hope I’ve explained why the world shows are important. Let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to get answers.
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