Tip #4- from Kellie Hinely- “If there are not many horses in the Level 3, and the Level 2 and 3 are run separately, then the Level 2 exhibitors will count towards the point total for the Level 3. For example, if there were 14 in the Level 2 and 6 in the Level 3 then first though fifth would receive points in the Level 3, unlike the Level 2 where only first through third would receive points.”

“We need to keep in mind that not everyone shows horses to win a gold trophy or a silver buckle. Not everyone shows to win $100,000 or a new trailer. We must remember that state championships are valuable to many people. We need to realize that some within the sport (me included) would like to have a ribbon won at a local show handed to us in the ring and not to have to retrieve it from a box in the makeup ring or show office. We must address the fact that not everyone is concerned about qualifying for the World Show. Some people, many in fact, go to horse shows to have fun, blow off some steam, and see their friends. This is hard when a show has 100+ classes and runs 18 hours a day.”

There are many times when our horse show family pulls together to help in a pinch, whether that is as simple as borrowing a brush, holding a horse while you run to grab your number, or throwing your horse some hay. Today, we went hunting for some of these great stories of sportsmanship and found some selfless tales that shows the professionals in this industry really do have each others’ backs in a pinch.