At the famed Wimbledon tennis championships, a spectator’s cell phone rang during a key moment in the finals. All eyes, including the players’, turned toward “Mr. Bungle” as he scrambled to turn the phone off. And of course, all of this was caught on national television.
Spectators are an important part of the competition. They make sponsors reach into their pockets, help keep the sport popular and encourage the competitors. But they do need to know how to behave.
Here are a few tips on spectator etiquette at horse shows.
1. Watch what you say. That owner of the ewe-necked horse who looks like he gulped down a broomstick may be sitting right next to you. Jeering and pointing won’t help you make friends and influence people.
2. Control your enthusiasm. Although some disciplines, such as barrel racing and reining, encourage audience participation, others, such as dressage and hunters, do not. You may get very pointed looks in your direction if you yelp and whoop as a rider completes a very nice string of flying changes. Wait to show your approval after the test or round is complete.
3. Stay in your seat. Metal bleachers can make a lot of noise and spook a competitor’s horse, so try to wait until the round or test is over before leaving.
4. Keep your conversation to a whisper. This is particularly true in smaller shows where spectators are sitting near the judge. It’s very hard for a judge to concentrate on the task at hand when several conversations are going at once. And of course, keep your phone’s volume down or put it on vibrate!
5. Don’t bother the judge. No matter how outraged you are at the judge’s decision, do not approach her with your thoughts on her flawed eyesight. Speaking to the judge is the rider’s decision and must be done through the show officials.
6. Don’t offer assistance to a rider unless he’s asked for it or is in danger. Unauthorized assistance in some disciplines, such as eventing, can result in a rider’s disqualification.
This should be posted at ALL shows with the addition to keep children under control. Don’t bring a football to a horseshow and start tossng it around.
This article is absolutely right. One thing I would like to add is that if you must bring small children to shows, don’t let them play where horses can see or hear them. My horse recently spooked on the approach to a jump and wasn’t paying attention, added a stride and we didn’t place. Oh, and for goodness’ sake, don’t let your dogs run on the course! 🙂
too bad somebody didn’t inform my mother years ago!! she was very supportive, but WOW she could be obnoxious…i finally started showing without inviting her.
i agree too…a lady who is like my second mom gets WAYY to concentrated on me whilst im in the ring, whispering, well, actually, shouting morelike, instructions, such as, DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE, or C’MON! LOOK! or STRAIGHT or whatever she feels necicary. i do not care fot it, as it is extremely embarassing. i agree, i know at shows when people walk past the arena scraping their feet, and children running up and down stairs, it gets rather obnoxious. please contain your children, dogs, and MOUTH!!! ;]
OJay + Dayzi
ps. i am going to say, it is very good for horses to get used to, but NOT at a show!!
good tips
I can’t believe I pulled this up under a saddleseat page – it is almost 180 degrees out from what is expected at a saddle seat show. Whoop, hollar, make a lot of noise! These horse feed off of crowd response. Sit there like a bump on a log and you will get dirty looks.
Spectator etiquette depends on the type of show. Enthusiastic participation is encouaged for some western and saddle seat/gaited classes, discouraged for hunter and dressage classes. Take your cue from the other spectators, or ask a rider what type of participation is preferred so you don’t embarrass yourself or the rider you’re rooting for.