Would you like to participate in a horse show, but you can’t—or don’t want to—ride your horse? Maybe you have a physical condition or injury that currently prevents you from riding, or maybe you have a small pony or miniature horse that you just can’t ride due to its diminutive size. Does this mean that you have to give up the fun of going to a horse show? Absolutely not! Check out this assortment of non-riding classes and head off to the next show for some real fun!
![Carriage Driving](/images/horse-news-article-images/driving-cones_1000.jpg)
Driving
![Showmanship](/images/horse-news-article-images/showmanship_1000.jpg)
Showmanship
Such fun! Test your precision and skill in this class, as well as your ability to prepare a horse for exhibition. You’ll showcase your horse to the best of your ability while following the pattern that is designated by the judge. It sounds simple but it isn’t. A showmanship class can be a nice way to acquaint a young horse to the atmosphere of the show ring. (Of course, you can also enter your horse in a halter class and see how his conformation and type compares to the others in his class—always fun!)
In-Hand Trail
Who doesn’t love trail classes? Here’s a secret: trail classes are just as much fun when you’re leading the horse as they are when you’re riding. In-hand trail courses are often quite similar to the courses for ridden trail, just slightly modified so that the course can be completed as you lead the horse. (Also fun: in-hand barrel races. You have to try it sometime.)
![Costume](/images/horse-news-article-images/costume-class-star-wars_1000.jpg)
Costume
If you love dressing up for Halloween, you’ll love the costume class. Here’s your chance to be creative and clever AND to dress up your horse in a costume. What’s better than that? But don’t be fooled into thinking that costume is an easy class to win:
exhibitors love costume classes and the competition can be fierce. It’s also memorable (ponies dressed as fairies, anyone?) and a chance to enjoy a bit of whimsy and frivolity in the show ring. (And let’s face it—we can ALL use that!)
Now, get out there and enjoy the fun and experience of a horse show!
Samantha Johnson is a freelance writer and the author of several books, including The Field Guide to Horses, (Voyageur Press, 2009). She raises Welsh Mountain Ponies in northern Wisconsin and is a certified horse show judge. Follow her on Twitter: @miraclewelsh.