How to Join Heavens Hoofprints Show Team
What is Show Team? Show team is an opportunity for students to ride and compete against other riders of their same age and ability of riding. We offer showing in western pleasure, english pleasure, hunt seat, and trail trials. Showing allows students to show off the skills they have been working on at home while training. It also allows them to see where they can improve their riding skills. It is formost a very fun thing to be a part of, as students bond with their horses, make new barn friends and travel with them to shows, and allows students to see the bigger world of horses and horse activities.
Where do Students Show? We start our students off with local showing through an organization called ETI. As students compete more regularly and begin to enter Junior High and High School, they have the opportunity to compete through, IEL (Intercollegiate Equestrian League), and SWL(Saddleseat and Western Show League). Both of these organizations allow students to compete under their school name and earn points for their schools and themselves, which can eventually lead to scholarships for college when they are seniors.
When can a student start showing? Students can show as young as five years old, but it is really up to them when they are ready. Students progress at different levels, and therefore it is best to ask your instructor when they feel your student is ready to show. Showing is a lot of fun and should be enjoyed by a student who is confident and eager to show, not one that is pressured to show.
Do I need to own a horse for my student to compete? At Heavens Hoofprints you do not need to own a horse in order to compete. When a student decides to show they will have to have a horse that they can ride regularly, this means more than one time a week. We recommend leasing a horse 2-3 days a week for riding and training. This allows the student more practice and they have an opportunity to bond with their horse. This bonding is very important as it creates a trust bond and creates responsibility within the student for their horse. Please discuss with your instructor if you are interested in showing in the future, so that she can prepare your student for showing, and look for a horse that your student would do well with to show.
What ability and class should my student be showing in? Your students instructor will recommend the best classes for your student. Most students start in a walk/ trot class and can progress over the years to more advanced classes which include, walk/trot/canter. Classes may also be referred to as novice, freshman, junior varsity, and varsity level when competing at the school level. Students can show in a multitude of classes, including pleasure, equitation, trail, obedience, horsemanship, and showmanship. It is up to the instructor and student how many classes a student should show in.
What type of cost can I anticipate when my student shows? Show cost can vary year to year. Cost that a show student can anticipate are horse lease fees, trainer fees, trailering fees, show equipment purchase, show clothing purchase, and show fees. At Heavens Hoofprints we do provide horses to lease, a trailer to transport your show horse (which is a shared cost with other students), the trainer, all show documents printed and help filling out so you are prepared ahead of time. In some cases we can provide show equipment for the horse. In all cases you will be required to purchase all the necessary show clothing for your student. Students love looking for show clothes and deciding their colors and outfits for the upcoming show season. All parents will be given documents to know the exact cost for their student to show for the upcoming show year.
What if my student only wants to try one show? That is an option. Students will need to lease their show horse at least one month prior to their first show so they have plenty of time to prepare. Our ranch has a no pressure policy when it comes to riding. We dont want to make any student do something they are not comfortable doing. If a student decides that showing is not for them after their first show, then they can discontinue showing right away. If they are in the middle of a lease, then they can discontinue their lease when it completes at the end of the month. All horse leases are month to month.
If you are interested in showing with Heavens Hoofprints Equestrian Center please fill out the form below:
Where do Students Show? We start our students off with local showing through an organization called ETI. As students compete more regularly and begin to enter Junior High and High School, they have the opportunity to compete through, IEL (Intercollegiate Equestrian League), and SWL(Saddleseat and Western Show League). Both of these organizations allow students to compete under their school name and earn points for their schools and themselves, which can eventually lead to scholarships for college when they are seniors.
When can a student start showing? Students can show as young as five years old, but it is really up to them when they are ready. Students progress at different levels, and therefore it is best to ask your instructor when they feel your student is ready to show. Showing is a lot of fun and should be enjoyed by a student who is confident and eager to show, not one that is pressured to show.
Do I need to own a horse for my student to compete? At Heavens Hoofprints you do not need to own a horse in order to compete. When a student decides to show they will have to have a horse that they can ride regularly, this means more than one time a week. We recommend leasing a horse 2-3 days a week for riding and training. This allows the student more practice and they have an opportunity to bond with their horse. This bonding is very important as it creates a trust bond and creates responsibility within the student for their horse. Please discuss with your instructor if you are interested in showing in the future, so that she can prepare your student for showing, and look for a horse that your student would do well with to show.
What ability and class should my student be showing in? Your students instructor will recommend the best classes for your student. Most students start in a walk/ trot class and can progress over the years to more advanced classes which include, walk/trot/canter. Classes may also be referred to as novice, freshman, junior varsity, and varsity level when competing at the school level. Students can show in a multitude of classes, including pleasure, equitation, trail, obedience, horsemanship, and showmanship. It is up to the instructor and student how many classes a student should show in.
What type of cost can I anticipate when my student shows? Show cost can vary year to year. Cost that a show student can anticipate are horse lease fees, trainer fees, trailering fees, show equipment purchase, show clothing purchase, and show fees. At Heavens Hoofprints we do provide horses to lease, a trailer to transport your show horse (which is a shared cost with other students), the trainer, all show documents printed and help filling out so you are prepared ahead of time. In some cases we can provide show equipment for the horse. In all cases you will be required to purchase all the necessary show clothing for your student. Students love looking for show clothes and deciding their colors and outfits for the upcoming show season. All parents will be given documents to know the exact cost for their student to show for the upcoming show year.
What if my student only wants to try one show? That is an option. Students will need to lease their show horse at least one month prior to their first show so they have plenty of time to prepare. Our ranch has a no pressure policy when it comes to riding. We dont want to make any student do something they are not comfortable doing. If a student decides that showing is not for them after their first show, then they can discontinue showing right away. If they are in the middle of a lease, then they can discontinue their lease when it completes at the end of the month. All horse leases are month to month.
If you are interested in showing with Heavens Hoofprints Equestrian Center please fill out the form below:
