Ideas for a show?

Serenity · 10-19-2009, 11:06 AM

Hey guys. I was thinking of having a show at my barn in the spring. I have never hosted or run a show before so I am looking for some tips and suggestions. I have a small, private barn with 10 acres. I have a large enough driveway to hold people and some trailers, but I was also thinking of opening a paddock for more trailers. I have a round pen, field and winter paddock that I could use for warm up rings and I have one large outdoor grass ring that the classes would be held in. I was thinking of doing 3 classes just a small fun show. I would probably do a flat class, a cross rail class and a 2' class (something like that) Any other suggestions on classes? My 2 friends want to judge, where would I get ribbons to give away? What should I charge for classes? I have such a small private place that I'm worried I don't have room but everyone is saying to do it.

pippy · 10-19-2009, 11:27 AM

I think first to check with your insurance to make sure you would be covered..you may need to tag on an umbrella policy that would cover it for the weekend.

Second- need some volunteers to help with ring steward, gate keeper, announcer, award giver, arena crew, office help- to take in entries, money etc
What you charge is up to you, since it's a fun show, I'd not charge very much. Around here they will charge $5-10 for the day (with over 20 classes offered) or $1 a class for a fun show.

Third- I'd get certified judge or you may not get anyone to show up- even at fun shows around here, you got a certified judge volunteering - consider this- your friends misjudge a horse, word gets around and it could be bad pr for your stables, even if it is 'just a fun show'

Fourth- ribbons can be found anywhere- just do a google search- lots of companies out there that sell them

Not sure what to say about space- if you advertise and to many show, would sure be awkward for you...

Sharon Danielson · 10-19-2009, 11:48 AM

Hodges Badge CO. is the place I always work with for our local shows. You can get them quite inexpensively. They have a set of ribbons with no special printing except placement....they are called stock ribbons. They are as inexpensive as you can go. http://www.hodgesbadge.com/

We have had judges who are just going through the training process and like to get the experience. We have a lot of "fun schooling shows" which lets people try their hand at competition but it isn't really serious. You can make a show with classes tailored to the riding styles that would attract people in your area.
We have even had lower level dressage classes where people could ride in western tack! We have had a come-as-you-are shows which do not have a dress code. We have had gaming classes, "Simon-Says" ride-a-buck.

We even had an event for people who have no eventing experience. We called it a "Grasshopper Event." We have all three elements... dressage was Intro A or B test. The stadium jumping was a regular course, but it was a pole on the ground, people trotted the course. The cross country portion was again, an abbreviated course, but the "jumps" were poles on the ground. That grasshopper event has been a big money-maker because it attracts riders of all ages. You see little kids, middle-age moms and our oldest participant was a 75 year old gentleman with artificial hips.

Have fun with this! People usually love it! Spring would be a perfect time to do a fun show when people are just starting to clean off the rust from the winter.

Sirita_88 · 10-19-2009, 12:02 PM

Pippy has great suggestions.

But only 3 classes? You may get interest from a few people, and your barn. If you want more interest I would have more classes they don't have to be jumping. What about fun classes like ride a buck, magazine race, etc? What about a showmanship and in-hand classes? The more classes the more interest. I would also divide your classes into age groups and green classes (green w/t, child w/t, adult w/t, then youth wtc and adult wtc same concept with crossrails and 2ft).

singing tree · 10-19-2009, 06:46 PM

Since you are a little concerned about parking, etc. perhaps you could invite a certain few other barns to come, thereby limiting your crowd, and getting your feet wet before going all out. Having a judge in training come could be a good idea also. If that all goes well, you could open it up more on another occasion.

hodges badge · 11-04-2009, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serenity

Hey guys. I was thinking of having a show at my barn in the spring. I have never hosted or run a show before so I am looking for some tips and suggestions. I have a small, private barn with 10 acres. I have a large enough driveway to hold people and some trailers, but I was also thinking of opening a paddock for more trailers. I have a round pen, field and winter paddock that I could use for warm up rings and I have one large outdoor grass ring that the classes would be held in. I was thinking of doing 3 classes just a small fun show. I would probably do a flat class, a cross rail class and a 2' class (something like that) Any other suggestions on classes? My 2 friends want to judge, where would I get ribbons to give away? What should I charge for classes? I have such a small private place that I'm worried I don't have room but everyone is saying to do it.

Just wanted to let you know too that www.hodgesbadge.com has a FREE pdf version of a Horse Show Planning Guide. It has a lot of information to help. You fill out a simple form and a link to the guide is given on the next page. Hope it helps. Have a great show!

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10-19-2009, 11:06 AM
Serenity Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oshawa Posts: 1,266	Ideas for a show? Hey guys. I was thinking of having a show at my barn in the spring. I have never hosted or run a show before so I am looking for some tips and suggestions. I have a small, private barn with 10 acres. I have a large enough driveway to hold people and some trailers, but I was also thinking of opening a paddock for more trailers. I have a round pen, field and winter paddock that I could use for warm up rings and I have one large outdoor grass ring that the classes would be held in. I was thinking of doing 3 classes just a small fun show. I would probably do a flat class, a cross rail class and a 2' class (something like that) Any other suggestions on classes? My 2 friends want to judge, where would I get ribbons to give away? What should I charge for classes? I have such a small private place that I'm worried I don't have room but everyone is saying to do it. __________________ ~~Serenity Stables~~

10-19-2009, 11:27 AM
pippy Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 2,298	I think first to check with your insurance to make sure you would be covered..you may need to tag on an umbrella policy that would cover it for the weekend. Second- need some volunteers to help with ring steward, gate keeper, announcer, award giver, arena crew, office help- to take in entries, money etc What you charge is up to you, since it's a fun show, I'd not charge very much. Around here they will charge $5-10 for the day (with over 20 classes offered) or $1 a class for a fun show. Third- I'd get certified judge or you may not get anyone to show up- even at fun shows around here, you got a certified judge volunteering - consider this- your friends misjudge a horse, word gets around and it could be bad pr for your stables, even if it is 'just a fun show' Fourth- ribbons can be found anywhere- just do a google search- lots of companies out there that sell them Not sure what to say about space- if you advertise and to many show, would sure be awkward for you... __________________ "It's never to late to live happily ever after." Last edited by pippy : 10-19-2009 at 11:32 AM.

10-19-2009, 11:48 AM
Sharon Danielson Halter broke Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA. State Posts: 160	Hodges Badge CO. is the place I always work with for our local shows. You can get them quite inexpensively. They have a set of ribbons with no special printing except placement....they are called stock ribbons. They are as inexpensive as you can go. http://www.hodgesbadge.com/ We have had judges who are just going through the training process and like to get the experience. We have a lot of "fun schooling shows" which lets people try their hand at competition but it isn't really serious. You can make a show with classes tailored to the riding styles that would attract people in your area. We have even had lower level dressage classes where people could ride in western tack! We have had a come-as-you-are shows which do not have a dress code. We have had gaming classes, "Simon-Says" ride-a-buck. We even had an event for people who have no eventing experience. We called it a "Grasshopper Event." We have all three elements... dressage was Intro A or B test. The stadium jumping was a regular course, but it was a pole on the ground, people trotted the course. The cross country portion was again, an abbreviated course, but the "jumps" were poles on the ground. That grasshopper event has been a big money-maker because it attracts riders of all ages. You see little kids, middle-age moms and our oldest participant was a 75 year old gentleman with artificial hips. Have fun with this! People usually love it! Spring would be a perfect time to do a fun show when people are just starting to clean off the rust from the winter. __________________ When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age, you splatter. ~Roy Rogers

10-19-2009, 12:02 PM
Sirita_88 Started Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 2,416	Pippy has great suggestions. But only 3 classes? You may get interest from a few people, and your barn. If you want more interest I would have more classes they don't have to be jumping. What about fun classes like ride a buck, magazine race, etc? What about a showmanship and in-hand classes? The more classes the more interest. I would also divide your classes into age groups and green classes (green w/t, child w/t, adult w/t, then youth wtc and adult wtc same concept with crossrails and 2ft).

10-19-2009, 06:46 PM
singing tree Long Yearling Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hartville, Ohio Posts: 1,025	Since you are a little concerned about parking, etc. perhaps you could invite a certain few other barns to come, thereby limiting your crowd, and getting your feet wet before going all out. Having a judge in training come could be a good idea also. If that all goes well, you could open it up more on another occasion.