Forward Farm LLC
New Show Rider Packet
Contents:
What is Academy Showing?
What Do I Need?
What Costs Can I Expect?
Show Day and What to Expect.
What is Academy Showing?
Congratulations on beginning your journey into competitive equine sports. We are excited to help your child reach goals as a rider. Let’s begin by learning about their style of riding and division.
There are many different disciplines of riding and even more categories of showing. Your child has been started in the discipline of saddleseat. Saddleseat is a type of English riding developed during the Civil War by southern plantation owners. It has been refined to show off high headed and high stepping horses, such as American Saddlebreds or Hackney ponies. It is a fast paced style of riding and is designed to look elegant and exciting.
Even within saddleseat, there are many divisions that horse shows are broken into. As a newcomer in the circuit, your child will be starting in the academy division. These classes are typically held in a single session of the horse show and are designed for new show riders. In academy, lesson horses of any breed may be used and there is a strong emphasis on equitation, diagonals and pattern work. Each rider will typically perform in two to three classes in that session. Riders are not required to use double bridles in academy, which are otherwise the proper equipment for saddleseat riders. Riders often remain in this division for several show seasons, but the graduation point is determined by many factors.
Proper academy attire consists of blue or black Jodhpur pants, short black Jodhpur boots, a button-up shirt, a fitted or sweater vest, a tie, a helmet, black leather gloves, and a belt. Other accessories are described later in the packet.
What Do I Need?
A Horse:
You do not have to own or lease a horse to show in the academy division. Lesson horses will be selected according to the rider’s ability, as perceived by the instructor. It is our priority to provide your child with the safest, (which may not be the most competitive) mount.Riders will often advance to more challenging mounts as hey progress as a competitor.
If you lease or own a horse, you will have first rights to that horse in a competition.
Many times, we will share a horse with 1 or 2 additional riders. This helps keep show costs down for both riders and we encourage sharing whenever possible. If you request to not share a horse, you will be responsible for the complete cost of showing that horse (typically an additional $200-$300).
Equipment:
If you plan on showing regularly, we strongly recommend that you purchase a saddle for your child. We can help you find a quality saddle that is suitable for riding and showing. We will provide bridles, saddlepads, girths, etc.
Clothing:
Clothing should be clean, ironed, and fitted. Boots should be cleaned and polished. Pants should include underpasses. Sweater vests should be tucked in. “Looking the part” is an important aspect of showing and will help create a portrait of confidence as a rider. Riders will be judged partially on a neat appearance.
Checklist:
Boots (Black)
Jod Pants (Blue or Black)
Button-up Shirt (Any Color)
Vest (Fitted or Sweater; Any Color)
Tie
Black Leather Belt
Black Leather Gloves
Accessories
Tie Bar
Number Magnets/Pins
Lapel Pin (Optional)
Earrings (Optional)
Extra Pair Underpasses (These tend to break easily)
Hair Materials/Make-up:
Riders should arrive with their hair back in a ponytail. We will have instructors available to make a show bun, but we encourage parent to try to learn as well. Make-up is appropriate for any age rider.
Materials to come prepared with include:
Hair brush
Black Elastic hair ties
Bobby Pins
Hair pins
Hair nets to match hair color
Hair Spray
At Forward Farm, we have boots, pants, shirts and vests to help you get started on your academy outfit. If you wish to purchase an outfit on your own, here are a few sites that consign attire. Accessories can also be purchased through these sites.
Lessons
To help you be polished, prepared, and successful, we suggest at least two lessons per week during show season and a weekly lesson through the winter. Your child’s performance is directly impacted by their practice. Please keep in mind that they will be competing against seasoned riders that often practice 2-4 times each week. We want to help you reach your goals, and expect dedication to the sport to ensure a safe and successful performance.
What Costs Can I Expect?
Horse show costs vary based on a variety of factors including distance, stall and entry fees, length of show, and whether or not horse is being shared. Generally plan for an away horse show to cost between $250 and $450. A school show will typically cost between $50 and $100. One practice lesson is included at the show grounds for away shows.If you would like an estimate of a particular horse show, consult your instructor and we can give you an estimation. We can help you plan the most valuable horse shows for your goals and for your budget.
What goes into these costs (Away Shows)?
Stall Fee and Bedding: Around $100. May be divided if horse is shared.
Entry Fees: $80-$100
Trailering: $1.50 per mile. May be divided if horse is shared.
Hotel Cost of Instructor: Divided among all competitors attending show,
Tack Stall(s): Divided Among all competitors attending show.
Day Care: This is the time spent preparing the horse to enter the show ring such as working the horse, grooming the horse, cleaning tack, clipping, bathing and general horse care.
Show Riders are required to be a junior competing member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and may be required to join other organizations depending on the specific competition.
Gratuity: A gratuity is appropriate and appreciated for your groom/instructors. Please remember that as we travel, we are typically working 15-18 hour days and are away from our families. Typically $10/class is appropriate for academy shows.
Obviously, choosing to show is a financial investment. However, as part of the Forward Farm academy team, you will have the advantage of having professional instructors to guide you through the process and get your child into the ring safely. We spend a lot of time preparing your child for their ring experience, so we ask that parents and riders take practice sessions seriously. The more you practiced, the better prepared you will be, and the quicker you will advance.
Show Day
On the day of the show, please show up well-rested with a good attitude Riders should arrive an hour prior to the anticipated show time, unless otherwise indicated by your instructor. Please be dressed, with hair pulled back and hair supplies ready. Riders should bring your saddle and whip (if you use one).
Upon mounting, parents should sit and watch the horse show and cheer on other riders. Remember, we are part of a team. Part of being a “show parent” means that over time, you should try to learn how to look at a class objectively. Judges tie the class based on some tangible riding aspects such as form, diagonals, headset, overall control, and ringmanship. Is the rider riding a more challenging horse? Is the rider using a double rein bridle? There are also some intangible aspects that contribute to placings, such as attitude, presence, and confidence.
Overall, riders should have excellent posture, with shoulders back and chin pointed upward. Heals should be down, Knees tight on the saddle, and legs should be positioned that theheals are beneath the hips. Hands should be higher than the elbows and reins should be tight. All while “equitating” the rider must also be reacting and communicating to their horse, examining their environment, listening to their instructor and planning their strategy for that ride. Easy right?
No matter how your child places, remember to instill in your child good sportsmanship, and respect for the judge and fellow competitors. We as parents, trainers, or instructors see the class somewhat subjectively. The judge is faced with difficult decisions and may see the class differently than an observer standing outside the ring. Especially starting out, riders will most likely be showing against more experienced riders. Over time they will advance in their skills, and make their way up in the ribbons.Teach your child to ride for the experience, rather than the ribbon. Competitive equine sports will teach your child confidence, performance skills under pressure, and dedication to a cause. Thank you for investing in your child’s sport and we look forward to many successful shows.
Lisa & Ginger