July 2004

Alot of opportunities exist to display the skills you and your horse work so hard
to perfect. One way that provides for all levels of riders is the Open Horse Show.
Open Shows are meant to attract newcomers to the show ring, inexperienced horses or riders, experienced teams working on skill building, and those looking for a fun, informal, affordable entry into showing and horse activities.

A “Show Premium” or “Show Bill” is the flyer used to announce the classes offered at a show. Typically, the flyer announces the who, what and where of the show along with the rules the show intends to follows (such as American Quarter Horse Association, 4-H rules, etc.). The premium also lists divisions, qualifications, prizes, disclaimers, services available, paperwork required and show staff.

Horses are typically divided by age, skill level, sex and/or breed. Riders can be divided by age and/or skill. Each show can choose how they divide competitors in order to keep classes as fair as possible. Different associations or clubs may define groups differently but some examples include:

• Amateur: A competitor who does not receive compensation for lessons, training
or showing horses.
• Novice: A competitor (or horse) who has just begun a show career. Often in
open shows a novice is defined as someone who has never won a blue ribbon while showing. Breed shows may use show points earned as a “cut-off” to compete in novice categories.
• Professional: A competitor who receives training income related to the event they show.
• Youth: A competitor typically under 18 years of age or other age cut-off.
• Weanlings: Classes open to horses born that calendar year.
• Yearlings: Classes open to horses born the previous calendar year.
• Two-year-olds: Classes open to horses two years old (using January 1st as the
birth date).
• Junior: Horses five years or younger. Can also refer to Junior riders with a
specific age requirement normally listed.
• Senior: Horses six years and older. Can also refer to Senior riders with a specific age requirement normally listed.
• Aged: Horses over four years of age, typically in reference to halter class divisions.
• Group: A class where two or more related horses are shown, such as in group
halter.
• Filly: A female horse two years or younger.
• Mare: A female horse over two years old.
• Broodmare: A female horse who is carrying offspring or whose primary job is
breeding.
• Stallion: A male horse with intact sex organs.
• Gelding: A castrated male horse.
• Colt: A male horse 2 years or younger.

Other Open Show Categories commonly used include:

• Jack Benny Class: A class offered to older competitors only. May be offered to horse/rider team exceeding a certain combined age. Most shows specify the numerical age requirement.
• Green (rider or horse): A horse or rider new to the show ring or a particular
class.
• Walk-Trot: The horse/rider team will only show in two gaits, no cantering or loping. Typically, a beginner or training class for horse and/or rider.
• Tiny Tot: This is a class open to only very young children. Most shows list the age requirement such as seven and under.
• Groom’s class: This class would be open only to those who came to a show to
help a rider with their horse. Typically, a parent or non-horse person would show in this class. Show dress is not required.
• Training class: This is a schooling class open to all. Normally the class is placed but no prizes or points are awarded. Training equipment is often allowed.
• Grand & Reserve: A class where winners and 2nd place finishers from related
classes compete against each other for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion
placings. Usually, this class follows completion of all the halter classes or all the
western pleasure classes. It is a free class whose entry must be earned.
• Training Show: A show where rules may be altered to allow training equipment
and the judge typically provides feedback to the participants when placing
classes.
• Points series show: A show where participants receive points for placings that
count toward a year end or series end high point award in particular divisions.
• Speed show: A show devoted to speed events such as barrels and poles.
• Pleasure show: A show where the majority of classes are not timed events.
• Gymkhana: A show where the classes are a combination of timed events and
fun classes.

Newcomers to the show world are often confused by the actual classes offered and
what is entailed in each. Classes range from Halter to Hunter Over Fences and Open
Jumping. Next month we will describe the various classes and offer expert tips on making your Open Show experience a success.

Christina Fleming is a lifelong horsewoman living in Cerrillos, NM. She trains, gives lessons and offers clinics on a variety of subjects. She has a BS in Biology and is a
certified instructor, judge, and guide. Visit her website at
www.newmexicohorsetrainer.com or send her an E-mail at NMVaquera@aol.com.

Soft fluffy clouds driven by a gentle spring breeze, drifted over the New Mexico Expo Fairgrounds as I made mind to don a dress and black stockings to see if I could sneak into an event unnoticed. Of course, I soon came to my senses.

What had attracted me was a clinic being held for ladies who had hopes of attaining the coveted title of State Fair Queen, or perhaps at least a rodeo or county queen.
There were 37 excited young ladies between seven and 20 years of age, prancing
around the arenas, and attending instruction classes in the fine art of displaying themselves and their horse in the best light in front of a judge.

I interviewed 11-year-old Stephanie Miller, wearing a blue top and black dusty boots, who told me that the Queen’s Clinic was fun, as well as helpful in her endeavor to, one day, attain the coveted crown. How did her mother feel about this? Well she was bubbling with absolute delight and overwhelming pride, as the budding “Miss World” scampered off. NMRQC board members Erin Grimes, Carroll Lewis, and Nancy DeLara, along with Tony Maces, who informed me that he was only there “as chief cook and bottle washer,” helped make the three day clinic a resounding success.

Oldest Bull Rider?
Rumors have a funny way of getting started. Some people – with their tongue in
their cheek – have asked me if I am going to ride a bull this year. This idea somehow snow-balled to such an extent that it was brandished around the horse circles that Ron Wiseman, stock contractor (505-374-9833), had a bull for
me to ride.

At Murphy’s Mule Barn, on Second Street in Albuquerque, I encountered Ron Wiseman and I asked if he had brought the bull for me to ride that very afternoon at the Bull Bash. But all I received was a blank stare.

Spooky events, such as chute dogging, steer wrestling and bull riding – otherwise known as “close and personal” – may make you shake. But only after the few seconds of delightful entertainment enjoyed upon a demented critter can you ask the question, “is this the one that is going to kill me?”

Got Fleas?
Frank Groesbeck wanders around the stalls at the Albuquerque Flea Market chatting
to the vendors and the strolling public alike, doing his job by making the Saturday and Sunday market enjoyable. Though I have never seen a flea circus I do hear that they can jump 130 times their own height incurring a force of 200 g.

John Flint Martin may be reached at; rodeoclown6@hot-mail.
com or the same phone number 505-250-5908.