How to start showing?

missa · 07-10-2008, 11:33 AM

I have considered showing my horses before but have absolutely no clue as to where to start.
I have :
Moon- almost two months, registerable half arab (paperwork pending), Rainbow, 15 years registered arab
Ruby- 8 year old grade (best guess is morgan cross)

None have been shown before and I have never even been to a show. I would appriciate any info as to where to start. I don't even know if Ruby can be shown since she is grade.

BarnBum · 07-10-2008, 11:36 AM

Start going to your local shows and watch. That would be a good start. Join clubs and help out and learn about showing.

Your grade horse can do local shows but not breed shows.

missa · 07-10-2008, 12:16 PM

Closest thing to a show around here is rodeos. Actual show shows take place two hours away. I think there is an AQHA show this month.

BarnBum · 07-10-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missa

Closest thing to a show around here is rodeos. Actual show shows take place two hours away. I think there is an AQHA show this month.

Don't be shell shocked when you go to an AQHA show. Big money there in tack and show clothes, not to mention big money horses !!!!

missa · 07-10-2008, 01:24 PM

I don't doubt it for a second. I have seen some pics of show clothes and wondered why in the world you would want to be that shiney. I am wanting to concentrate on halter for Moon (obviously at his age), so is bling show clothes needed for that?
Also I am unfamilar with all classes. What could I show Rain and Ruby in?

DoBeSassy · 07-10-2008, 01:27 PM

Do you not have a local 4H? Go to one of their shows.

I wouldn't start out at the AQHA ahows, those are the big wigs who have been doing it for years.

You just want to get your feet wet and test the waters. I bet if yousniffed around you will be able to find soem local shows that are small enough to learn and have fun

BarnBum · 07-10-2008, 01:28 PM

In a local/open show, just a nice pair of good fitting, nondfadded jeans and long sleeve shirt will do. Nice hat,belt and boots. Nice fitting leather halter/lead w/ or w/o silver.

You could go into their age specific classes, their breed specific classes, grooming classes, showmanship classes. Some shows are doing in-hand trail now.

Just get some show bills and look.

DoBeSassy · 07-10-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missa

I don't doubt it for a second. I have seen some pics of show clothes and wondered why in the world you would want to be that shiney. I am wanting to concentrate on halter for Moon (obviously at his age), so is bling show clothes needed for that?
Also I am unfamilar with all classes. What could I show Rain and Ruby in?

For a smaller show, a nice long sleeved shirt should be fine.

And it depends on what they do. Most shows have speed events, like barrels poles, etc.

You could enter anything you want just to try it out. Then go home and work onthe events you found to be the most fun.

**Diamond_Y** · 07-10-2008, 01:34 PM

Missa, not sure where in OK you are located, but HAT (Horse Association of Texoma) puts on shows monthly. There are a lot of small local horse clubs in north Texas, Red River Horse Club are Hunt County Horse Club are two that I'm acquainted with.

cindyf · 07-10-2008, 01:36 PM

Here is a link to something I found when I did a search http://www.oklahomahorseonline.com/c...r/calendar.htm

Also, if you have no idea about showing, find even a local 4H show and go and watch. Go to the AQHA show and watch. Make notes of what classes you liked and what you think you can do with your horses. Do you like pleasure classes or games. Patterns or rail work? English or western. Another resource would be the local 4H, most of them have a website with the handbooks online, they are free for you to access and it will give you and idea of what to practice. Here in MN we have local saddle clubs everywhere and the 4H is strong here. If you want the link to the MN 4H info let me know I can PM it to you.

missa · 07-10-2008, 01:53 PM

I wasn't going to show in AQHA, I was just going to watch, don't even own a qh anymore. My niece is in 4h and the only 'horse' related shows is all speed events (aka rodeo events). Rain was/is used for playin on the barrels but I have never took her full out on them, just played around at the trot. Ruby I am still learning about what she does and doesn't know. I plan to try her out on the barrels when I can get to the arena. I have always rode western and recently purchased my first english saddle and started riding in it. Most likely I would need to stick to western/ in hand events. I am not a barrel racer and do not want to compete in it.
Diamand Y- I am about two hours north of you.

**Diamond_Y** · 07-10-2008, 01:57 PM

Check out HAT, here's their website: http://www.hat-texoma.org/

They do have events in southern OK.

grullatobiano · 07-10-2008, 03:31 PM

With your Arabian and half-Arabian, you can join AHA and have access to a list of local Regional clubs around you. You pay for membership in AHA as well as a Regional club, and boom, you're in the Arabian show world.

Some fun, low key classes to start with are Sport Horse in-Hand, Sport Horse under Saddle, Halter Showmanship, In-hand Trail (in some regions, not for points). Arabian Halter classes are extremely competitive, and your horse needs to be in absolutely peak condition. For Sport Horse, it's a little more laid back. Just a clean bridle on the horse, and some light pants and a blouse for you.

Unfortunately, Western Pleasure at Arabian shows is pretty ridiculous in terms of cost. $1200 saddles are "cheap".

tuffsmom · 07-10-2008, 03:43 PM

With the AHA you can find out if they put on any community shows. This is where people start in our area that can't afford the Class A shows.

We have 3 high point shows a year. AHAN loves to get new people in to show. The people at the Nebraska shows are very helpful. I would go watch first and start asking questions.

2manypets · 07-14-2008, 12:22 PM

I'M NOT TRYING TO BE MEAN!!!!!!

if i were in your situation, i would find a trainer who shows and has students showing, too. take lessons. go to shows with the trainer. and maybe show a lesson horse instead of your own a few times to get the hang of it.
just to get your feet wet on a been-there-done-that horse.

then maybe show your own horses.

good luck.

astarte · 07-14-2008, 12:33 PM

A trainer is definitely the way to go. It is frustrating to show and not know why you aren't placing - you'll have a better time if you take some lessons first and get some guidance about what your horses' "niche" is - are they more english type? western type? games? A good trainer can help you figure out your horses' talents and enhance them.

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07-10-2008, 11:33 AM
missa Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 835	How to start showing? I have considered showing my horses before but have absolutely no clue as to where to start. I have : Moon- almost two months, registerable half arab (paperwork pending), Rainbow, 15 years registered arab Ruby- 8 year old grade (best guess is morgan cross) None have been shown before and I have never even been to a show. I would appriciate any info as to where to start. I don't even know if Ruby can be shown since she is grade. __________________ Rainbow-93 grey arab mare, Ruby- 01 black bay morgan x mare, Moon- 08 grey arab x colt, Freedom-07 bay mustang filly, Sammy-02 grey mustang gelding, Trigger-07 palimino gelding

07-10-2008, 11:36 AM
BarnBum Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 3,611	Start going to your local shows and watch. That would be a good start. Join clubs and help out and learn about showing. Your grade horse can do local shows but not breed shows. __________________ Murphys Horse Law - A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching !!

07-10-2008, 12:16 PM
missa Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 835	Closest thing to a show around here is rodeos. Actual show shows take place two hours away. I think there is an AQHA show this month. __________________ Rainbow-93 grey arab mare, Ruby- 01 black bay morgan x mare, Moon- 08 grey arab x colt, Freedom-07 bay mustang filly, Sammy-02 grey mustang gelding, Trigger-07 palimino gelding

07-10-2008, 01:24 PM
missa Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 835	I don't doubt it for a second. I have seen some pics of show clothes and wondered why in the world you would want to be that shiney. I am wanting to concentrate on halter for Moon (obviously at his age), so is bling show clothes needed for that? Also I am unfamilar with all classes. What could I show Rain and Ruby in? __________________ Rainbow-93 grey arab mare, Ruby- 01 black bay morgan x mare, Moon- 08 grey arab x colt, Freedom-07 bay mustang filly, Sammy-02 grey mustang gelding, Trigger-07 palimino gelding

07-10-2008, 01:27 PM
DoBeSassy Seasoned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 4,968	Do you not have a local 4H? Go to one of their shows. I wouldn't start out at the AQHA ahows, those are the big wigs who have been doing it for years. You just want to get your feet wet and test the waters. I bet if yousniffed around you will be able to find soem local shows that are small enough to learn and have fun __________________ There is none so blind as she who will not see

07-10-2008, 01:28 PM
BarnBum Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 3,611	In a local/open show, just a nice pair of good fitting, nondfadded jeans and long sleeve shirt will do. Nice hat,belt and boots. Nice fitting leather halter/lead w/ or w/o silver. You could go into their age specific classes, their breed specific classes, grooming classes, showmanship classes. Some shows are doing in-hand trail now. Just get some show bills and look. __________________ Murphys Horse Law - A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching !!

07-10-2008, 01:34 PM
Diamond_Y Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,657	Missa, not sure where in OK you are located, but HAT (Horse Association of Texoma) puts on shows monthly. There are a lot of small local horse clubs in north Texas, Red River Horse Club are Hunt County Horse Club are two that I'm acquainted with. __________________ Diamond Y Quarter Horses - Breeders of Quality Foundation Quarter Horses Home of King of Cooke County, 2004 Perlino son of Cooke County ETC

07-10-2008, 01:36 PM
cindyf Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: southern mn Posts: 618	Here is a link to something I found when I did a search http://www.oklahomahorseonline.com/c...r/calendar.htm Also, if you have no idea about showing, find even a local 4H show and go and watch. Go to the AQHA show and watch. Make notes of what classes you liked and what you think you can do with your horses. Do you like pleasure classes or games. Patterns or rail work? English or western. Another resource would be the local 4H, most of them have a website with the handbooks online, they are free for you to access and it will give you and idea of what to practice. Here in MN we have local saddle clubs everywhere and the 4H is strong here. If you want the link to the MN 4H info let me know I can PM it to you.

07-10-2008, 01:53 PM
missa Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 835	I wasn't going to show in AQHA, I was just going to watch, don't even own a qh anymore. My niece is in 4h and the only 'horse' related shows is all speed events (aka rodeo events). Rain was/is used for playin on the barrels but I have never took her full out on them, just played around at the trot. Ruby I am still learning about what she does and doesn't know. I plan to try her out on the barrels when I can get to the arena. I have always rode western and recently purchased my first english saddle and started riding in it. Most likely I would need to stick to western/ in hand events. I am not a barrel racer and do not want to compete in it. Diamand Y- I am about two hours north of you. __________________ Rainbow-93 grey arab mare, Ruby- 01 black bay morgan x mare, Moon- 08 grey arab x colt, Freedom-07 bay mustang filly, Sammy-02 grey mustang gelding, Trigger-07 palimino gelding

07-10-2008, 01:57 PM
Diamond_Y Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,657	Check out HAT, here's their website: http://www.hat-texoma.org/ They do have events in southern OK. __________________ Diamond Y Quarter Horses - Breeders of Quality Foundation Quarter Horses Home of King of Cooke County, 2004 Perlino son of Cooke County ETC

07-10-2008, 03:31 PM
grullatobiano Weanling Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Red Deer Posts: 288	With your Arabian and half-Arabian, you can join AHA and have access to a list of local Regional clubs around you. You pay for membership in AHA as well as a Regional club, and boom, you're in the Arabian show world. Some fun, low key classes to start with are Sport Horse in-Hand, Sport Horse under Saddle, Halter Showmanship, In-hand Trail (in some regions, not for points). Arabian Halter classes are extremely competitive, and your horse needs to be in absolutely peak condition. For Sport Horse, it's a little more laid back. Just a clean bridle on the horse, and some light pants and a blouse for you. Unfortunately, Western Pleasure at Arabian shows is pretty ridiculous in terms of cost. $1200 saddles are "cheap".

07-10-2008, 03:43 PM
tuffsmom Seasoned Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 4,075	With the AHA you can find out if they put on any community shows. This is where people start in our area that can't afford the Class A shows. We have 3 high point shows a year. AHAN loves to get new people in to show. The people at the Nebraska shows are very helpful. I would go watch first and start asking questions. __________________

07-14-2008, 12:22 PM
2manypets Halter broke Join Date: May 2008 Location: alabama Posts: 132	I'M NOT TRYING TO BE MEAN!!!!!! if i were in your situation, i would find a trainer who shows and has students showing, too. take lessons. go to shows with the trainer. and maybe show a lesson horse instead of your own a few times to get the hang of it. just to get your feet wet on a been-there-done-that horse. then maybe show your own horses. good luck.

07-14-2008, 12:33 PM
astarte Newborn Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8	A trainer is definitely the way to go. It is frustrating to show and not know why you aren't placing - you'll have a better time if you take some lessons first and get some guidance about what your horses' "niche" is - are they more english type? western type? games? A good trainer can help you figure out your horses' talents and enhance them.