Horse Illustrated readers attend shows and competitions in a variety of disciplines. If you want to keep up with news from major horse events and learn how to prepare your horse for an event, then enjoy this category within our archives. Topics include articles from competitors in various disciplines, winners of big events (e.g., national championships in various disciplines), ways to make competing fun, grooming for show-ring success, how to compete and maintain balance in life, how to showcase your horse at an event the best you can, and so much more. When you are an equestrian competitor, regardless of at what level, you are part of a unique lifestyle.

Braiding and Banding: How-To’s for Young Riders to Improve Their Skills
April 22, 2020
Style your pony’s mane for English with rubber band braids or western competition with mane banding. Rubber Band Braids Materials: ◆ Braiding rubber bands that match your horse’s mane (white was used here so they were easier to see) ◆ Metal pulling comb ◆ Hair clip ◆ Braiding spray or...

Virtual Horse Shows Allow Equestrians to Keep Showing During COVID-19
April 14, 2020
Although not a new concept, virtual horse shows are quickly popping up all over social media as more and more events are cancelled due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Innovative show organizers are giving us something to do with our horses—in-hand or in the saddle—while helping them re-coup some of...

A Ribbon for Yancy
April 8, 2020
“Ten-minute call for children’s hunters. Ten-minute call!” The announcement over the loudspeaker caught Yancy Clements by surprise. Her first class was only 10 minutes away? Time certainly flew by at horse shows before you got to try for a ribbon. She stopped brushing the horse in front of her...

Hunter Show Secrets
April 2, 2020
Do you enjoy showing? I always loved competing in horse shows. Whether I won a bunch of ribbons or came home empty-handed, each show was a unique adventure. After many years of showing, I became a hunter and equitation judge. Now I’ll share some advice so you can have more...

2020 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks to be Postponed Due to COVID-19
March 17, 2020
Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the 146th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve will be rescheduled from May 2, 2020 to September 5, 2020 and the 146th Longines Kentucky Oaks will be rescheduled from May 1, 2020 to September 4, 2020. These dates are contingent upon final approval from the Kentucky...

COVID-19 Forces Cancellation of Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix
March 16, 2020
Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI) is cancelling the 2020 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian and the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The events had been scheduled for April 23-26 at the Kentucky Horse Park. “This marks the first cancellation in the...

National Reining Horse Association Recommends Postponement of Events Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19); Closes Offices and Staff Working Remotely
March 14, 2020
Following the presidential declaration of a national emergency due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) strongly recommends all producers of NRHA-approved shows consider postponing or canceling all reining events for the next 30 days, effective March 14–April 13, 2020. This action takes into consideration the health and...

Updated: Coronavirus Impact on the Horse Industry: Equine Industry Event Schedules Not Immune to COVID-19
Click here for a List of Affected Events/Statements from Horse Organizations The horse industry has felt the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) as cases of the highly contagious-to-humans disease mount. Many have cancelled events, while other industry groups have been pondering how to respond to the highly contagious disease. And...

Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Update Related to COVID-19
March 12, 2020
EEI Board President Mike Cooper and EEI Executive Director Lee Carter provide an update on the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2020, presented by Mars Equestrian related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Mars Equestrian, is an eventing competition that features the 22nd...

Second Chance at Winning with the Thoroughbred Makeover
March 6, 2020
The Retired Racehorse Project’s (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover has truly been a gamechanger for retired racehorses. Designed to showcase the trainability and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds, the competition has come a long way since its inaugural Retired Racehorse Training Symposium in 2009. The brainchild of Steuart Pittman, the organization was founded...