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Categories: Horse News

HI Spy: Share Your Horse Show Memories

Horse shows are about more than winning ribbons. They challenge our horsemanship skills. They teach us how to deal with adversity when things invariably go wrong.  Through the emotional ups and downs, we develop close bonds with our horses and many of our fellow exhibitors. Whether we spend a lifetime on the show circuit or just compete occasionally, horse shows are responsible for some of our fondest memories.
 
Betty Jean Bullman recently recounted her favorite horse show memory. It concerned her faithful old horse Turning Point, a fiery chestnut Thoroughbred who maintained his zeal for showing until he was well into his twenties.
 
“He was a great horse,” Bullman recalls wistfully. “I’ll never forget the year I showed him at the big Del Mar horse show in an amateur jumper class. My horse had spent many years as a showjumper before I got him, and he seemed to recognize that he was about to be ‘on stage.’ He was all pumped up.”
  
Bullman explains that to enhance the atmosphere of the high-stakes class, the show management played loud, upbeat music as each rider began their opening circle. The musical accompaniment seemed to evoke an extra zing of competitive spirit in her veteran show horse, and he arched his neck and bounded into a sprightly gallop.
  
“All the spectators — including people from our barn — could see that I could barely contain my horse. They were laughing and cheering me on at the same time. The lights, the crowds, the fancy jumps, the music … it all made my horse act like he was five years old again. I had a great round,” she concludes, “but I don’t think I won a ribbon. What made it all so memorable was just the thrill of riding my horse under those special circumstances. I got a sense of what he must have been like in his prime. I think he had just as much fun that night, too.”
 
What’s your special horse show memory? Can you recall your first blue ribbon? Was there an instance when you overcame incredible odds to ride to victory? Did something funny happen at a horse show that still makes you laugh? As another installment of our monthly “HI Spy” series, we’d like to hear from you. Just click on Submit a Comment below. Some of the responses may be selected to appear in an upcoming issue of Horse Illustrated magazine!



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  • I had bought a mare named Hershey's Marilyn Monroe as a yearling to be my new show horse. In 2004 when she was three, she and I went undefeated all season in the Youth division of the Rocky Mountain Horse Association. She and I even won the RMHA and UMH/KMSHA Youth Grand Championship. The following year she and I got beat a few times during the regular season. We didn't show at the RMHA International because we went to Equine Affaire. At the KMSHA International, she and I got third in the qualifying class. I was disappointed in this placing greatly and had decided not to show in the Championship. I hadn't been focused on my riding anymore because I had "gotten used" to winning as shallow as that sounds. I expected to win all the time. Getting third in that class made me realize that I had to keep working hard and focus in order to do well. My trainer finally talked me into going into the Youth Championship later in the week. As I prepared to enter the ring, I took a deep breath and focused my mind on riding Marilyn to the best of my abilities. We won the 2005 KMSHA Youth Grand Championship, I think even unanimously. That win had meant more to me than any win had ever before. I knew that I had to get my mind in the right place to do well, otherwise I was just hurting my horse. I am so proud of my mare. As far as I know, we are the only horse and rider team to win all three association Youth Classic Pleasure Grand Championships.

  • I have been riding for 4 years. I don't have a horse of my own, (I'm 11) but I atke lessons. I was in a local show last year. I only did 18' jumping, but I got 2nd place. I didn't get first, but was stil proud of my horse! =)

  • My first blue ribbon with my new two year old quarterhorse gave me an amazing feeling.When we placed third out of about seven horses in a halter class, I knew that all of our practice was paying off. I was happy even though we didn't get first place.

  • My favortie Memory was when we took the horse I had just got in April of 2006 to our first show together in july we unloaded him and I could hardly get the saddle on him he was so nervous I forgot the lunge line and had to borrow one after some lunging I was finally able to get on and ride after some riding time we entered one class and got first.

  • I am a new rider ,your Memories are helpful for me. Some equestrian expert share their experience on Equinemeet.com

  • Probably my funniest horse show experience was my second year showing at the Washington State Fair. I brought my horse, Sterling. It was his second time up there so I thought he would know the arena. I first have one thing to say about that arena, I hate it!! If you have ever shown in it's the worst posible arena you could imagine!! I think anyone would agree with me! With its tarp like cloth hanging from the ceiling as a wall getting sucked up against the rail. It was my bareback class, we were going around at the lope and all of the sudden he spooks and jumps about 4 feet!! I drop my split rein!!! OH NO!!! So I stop him and reach down to grap my rein WITHOUT the judge looking, I got a hold of it!! And we were off, going around the arena at a lope just like everyone else!! It may seem like it wasnt that exciting, but believe me it was!! At the end of the class, I ended up geting a blue in that class and the second to getting High Blue Return for the Championship class. The ringstewart saw the whole thing happen and told the judge after.
    Another time that was a good time was at out local posse club. We had an annual show for the first year! It was a good one! Me and my horse got a 1st in Showmanship, English Equitation, and Pleasure, and 2nds on Bareback, Western Equitation, and Pleasure, only because the judge thought that my reins were to tight and that my arabian could hold his head by himself. I have had a lot more show experiences, but are to long to share!!! Thank You and have fun with your horse!!!

  • My best horse show memory would have to be my year in Medium Ponies. I had this great pony, Shooter, and he was a power house of a pony. It was my first year ever showing in my life, and he gave me a great sense of confidence. I showed all summer, every weekend, and we did really well. I even won a first at our very first show. At the end of the season we were second in the standings and I got to go to the huge finals in Toronto. They were a huge deal for a kid that had always gone to watch, and now I was partaking!! I was up there with all of the kids that had been riding since birth, and it was just an amazing experience. I woudln't trade it for the world. Sadly, though, the pony had to go cause i had out grown him. But, a year later I ran into the horse of my dreams, Holiday, my 10 y/o TB. My best horse show memory might not be being at the top, one of the best in my division in Canada, I think it might just be the last show of last season, where Hal and I finally won champion, and I finally figured him out. The most amazing feeling on earth, that amazing connection between a horse and a girl, he's my soul mate.

  • My First Ribbon/overcoming the odds
    My first show where i got first ribbon ever came from a noble young man named Glue. Glue was a spunky 8year old racking gelding. He was my first horse, i love him today as i did then. Well we had been practicing for everything all winter and spring, nobdy thought we could do it i mean a green contesting rider with a green contesting horse, not exactly the best pair! Well i remember i was thinking to myself "I HAVE TO WIN ATLEAST ONE CLASS!"
    we were bad at every class, turnning to wide, not going fast enough, getting confused. But as i entered the ring for Flag race i enter and looked at all the competers thinking "whats is this girl doing she should just stop!" Well i did my circle and off we went, Glue wanted to show these Quarter Horses hwo was the real "horse" here! he got me right where i needed him to be and i ripped that flag out of that bucket and kicked glue shot up like a rocket and went. When we got to the other side he slowed and i stabed that flag in! Glue walked out of that arena with pride, his head tucked, doing a jig. I waited for the rest of the people to finish their runs and waited by the gate, when they annouced the ribbons we didnt get first, second, third or even fourth we got fifth, but that was just as good as the first place ! i walked by my uncle who had serious doubt i would ever be good at contesting with Glue. He looked up at me and said a simple "Good Job".
    i felt like i reached the moon!
    That was my first ribbon and my most important, when i look at all the ribbons on my walli dont go for the first second places i go straight to that fifth place and smile.

  • My most memorable horse show moment was when at my first schoolie show. I won TONS of ribbons!! I have only ridden this schoolie Quarter Pony twice now! I won three blue, two red, one yellow, champion, and reserve champion! I did lead line just for my young two year old Paint named Cherokee. We wanted her to get used to all the show business early. Of course my mom lead me. Everyone got a blue ribbon and a prize, but they knew I had a horse so they gave me a blue ribbon, hoof pick, and a rake! I was so sore!! Nothing could ever beat that day!

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