From the crown of a hat to polish on a horse’s hooves, a savvy rider knows that a refined presentation is an important part of competition. The little details of fit and style can set them apart from their peers and establish a positive first impression in the minds of the judges.

Freestyle Reining is one of the biggest attractions at the Congress. Here’s why!

Some of the brightest stars in horse show arena have the tiniest of details to thank for their jaw-dropping first impressions. In this piece, we go behind the scenes to share a trick of the trade: using dye to inexpensively enhance different aspects of your horse show turnout.

You spend a lot of time with – and money on – your show horse. Why on earth would you want to spend your vacation that way? And we aren’t talking about a showcation, either.

Horse show fashion is anything but static. Exhibitors express themselves through their outfits of choice, carefully prepared and put together for the show arena.

Why showmanship is the advanced level beyond the round pen and longing. In this article I would like to explain the reasons why showmanship is the next level of ground work when training your horse, compared to round penning or longing.

When Sam was about to leave for a weekend horse show, he discovered that his horse trailer had a broken taillight. Realizing that the problem could not be repaired in time, he asked his neighbor, Jo, to borrow her trailer.

Kent Ray Taylor’s philosophy on life is straightforward: you live life once, so do it well. While these words adorn motivational posters and fill the chorus of country songs, it’s rare when an individual really takes them to heart. Kent is one of the few. In every aspect of his life, Kent strives to go “all in,” to be authentic, and to live life to the fullest. It’s this passion and drive that made Kent a top AQHA competitor as a youth and amateur. That then inspired him to pursue a successful career away from the horse industry, and, now, after a 28 year hiatus, has brought him back to the show arena with a bang.

For many of us, the horse is the one constant in our busy and hectic lives. The horse carries our dreams on his back, absorbs our sorrows in his mane, and keeps our secrets hidden in his heart.