WELCOME to the Menlo Charity Horse Show. This show is one of the finest horse shows on the West Coast and is always popular with both exhibitors and spectators. Approximately 500 horses (Hunters and Jumpers) will compete over the six-day show. All classes operate under rules and specifications set by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF).
As a spectator, you will be better able to enjoy the Show if you understand the different events and how they are judged.
The Spectator’s Guide has been written to give some of the basics to the novice horse show viewer. Also, listen to the Announcer’s description of the events; although some of this information is technical in nature, much time is devoted to describing each event for the benefit of spectators.
INDEX
Events
Awards
An Invitation to Visit
Safety
Hunters
Jumpers
EVENTS
Menlo features three Show Rings: two on the Grass Field (a Hunter Field and a Jumper Field), and one in the Arena Ring (Hunter classes). Nearby each of the rings is a warm-up area where the riders and horses prepare for their events. Horses compete in individual Classes, Divisions, Medal Classes and or Classics.
Divisions generally run over a two-day period and are made up of up to five classes for Hunters and three classes for Jumpers. Points are accumulated for each event in the Division; at the conclusion, the highest total will be the Champion, second will be the Reserve Champion.
Medal Classes are sponsored by national or regional equestrian organizations that specify requirements for entry, how the event should be run and what tests should be performed. The winner of the class will receive the Sponsor’s Medal. A number of the Medal Classes are continuing competitions in which points are accumulated throughout the show circuit season to determine the overall winner, or perhaps to qualify for a prestigious, season ending competition.
Classics are offered after the Divisions have ended for virtually all exhibitor categories. The show offers over $165,000 in prize money, topped by our Stephen Silver Grand Prix offering $50,000.
AWARDS
Ribbons and awards are presented in the ring immediately after the finish of each class. Most classes will present 8 ribbons, with as many as 12 ribbons in some classes. Ribbons start with Blue for first place, Red for second, Yellow for third, and different colors thereafter.
The winner of each event and all Champions and Reserve Champions will be presented with a gift-wrapped award from such prestigious stores as ELLA – Equestrian Lifestyle Luxury Art, Tiffany & Co., and a number of other gracious donors. Menlo’s awards have been a unique feature of the show for many years.
Prize money this year will total over $165,000. Prize money is paid to the top scorers in the event (as few as 5 in some classes, and as many as 12 in the Classics). The money is split on a percentage basis, with 30% generally going to the winner and scaling down to the other places.
AN INVITATION
You are welcome to wander around the entire Show area, our Market Place, and among the horse stalls, where you can see the horses being groomed prior to showing, being cooled off and perhaps washed down after their performances, or just resting in their stalls. You will also see the Tack Rooms, where the trainers keep and display their tack; some of them are very creatively decorated and will compete in our Tack Room decorating competition. Please ask permission to enter the Barn Areas.
SAFETY
Please be careful; you are responsible for your own safety. Do not get too close to the horses or touch them. Horses are very large animals. Show horses can be nervous and excitable; they are in strange surroundings and keyed up for the show ring. Horses can bite, kick, knock you down or perhaps even trample you. So, please be careful.
HUNTERS
Hunters should display the manners and qualities best suited for a ride to the hounds. A Hunter course is designed to simulate stone walls, hedges, post and rail fences, and other obstacles found in the hunting field. The horse should be attractive with correct and proportional conformation, and should be well turned out. The horse should be clean, with a shiny coat and with a braided mane and tall. The saddle and bridle should be clean and well fitted, with any metal décor and stirrups well shined.
The horse’s movement is an important part of the presentation. The horse should move freely with little action or bending of the knees, be light and graceful across the ground, and look relaxed with a long, low neck, ears forward, and alert.
Judging a Hunter begins the moment the horse and rider enter the ring and continues until they leave. This is a “round”. During a horse’s opening circle, the judges get their first look at the horse. The original turnout is very important.
The most important part of judging Hunters is jumping style. The horse should jump with front legs folded high and evenly. His neck and head should stretch out and down to ensure a well-balanced jump. The horse should jump straight, in the center of the fence, and it should look like the horse is enjoying the job (ears forward). Jumping should appear effortless.
HUNTER CLASSES
Hunter Classes are divided according to several criteria: Age and Experience of the rider (Junior, Children’s and Amateur Hunters); size of the Pony; Experience of the horse (Green 3’ up to Green 3’9” and Performance Hunter); Differences in judging (Performance, Conformation, Equitation).
JUNIOR & AMATEUR DIVISIONS
PONY HUNTERS
Divided into three pony sizes. (Small Ponies, rider’s age must be under 12; Medium Ponies, age under 14; Large Ponies, age under 18.)
CHILDREN’S & JUNIOR HUNTERS
Open to riders 17 & under. Divided into age groups.
ADULT AMATEUR HUNTERS
Open to Amateur riders 18 & over. Divided into age groups.
AMATEUR-OWNER WORKING HUNTERS
Ridden by an Amateur Owner or an Amateur member of the Owner’s family over 18 years of age.
OPEN DIVISIONS
The majority of horses shown in these divisions are usually ridden or handled by professionals.
WORKING HUNTERS
May start as Green 3’ and progresses to Green 3’3”, Green 3’9”, and finally to High Performance Working Hunter.
CONFIRMATION HUNTERS
May start as Green and then move on to High Performance. Conformation Hunters receive the usual Hunter judging on their ability and performance, and in addition, they are judged on their physical attributes. This is the beauty contest of the Hunters.
UNDER SADDLE
Horses are shown without fences, both directions in the ring. The judge will assess how well the horse moves “on the flat”; that is, the judge will look for a horse with a free, fluid, big stride that is well-mannered at the walk, trot, and canter.
HANDY HUNTER CLASSES
In Handy classes, obstacles must simulate those found in “hunting country”. The course must have at least two changes of direction, at least one combination jump, and other features that might be encountered in the field.
EQUITATION CLASSES
Judged on the rider’s performance, not the horse’s. The rider must display good seat and hands, and sufficient control over the horse. Equitation classes are shown on the “flat” or “over fences”.
JUMPERS
Jumpers are judged only on their ability to jump obstacles. They need not to be any special breed or size, nor do they need to be beautiful, well-mannered or stylish. Virtually all jumper classes are subject to the same basic scoring system. Horses and riders must take the course in a designated sequence. The goal is to cover the course with no faults within the allotted time.
SCORING & FAULTS
Jumpers are scored on penalties incurred between the start and finish of their class course. Penalty faults include disobediences, falls, knockdowns, and time penalties. Each jumper class is scored under a specified set of rules from one of the following scoring criteria:
Table II
Clear First Round: Horses with clean rounds or equal faults remain equal.
Table II, Sec. 1
Time First Round: Horses with clean rounds or equal faults are classified according to their time taken to complete the course.
Table II, Sec. 2(b)
If a competitor has a clean first round, then before leaving the ring and immediately upon hearing an audible signal, the rider will commence the designated jump-off course.
Table II, Sec.2(c)
If a competitor has gone clean in the first round, upon crossing the finish line, the rider will commence the designated jump-off course.
Table III
Faults Converted into Seconds: Faults incurred are penalized by adding four (4) seconds for each occurrence.
FAULTS
Knockdowns: 4 faults
Touches, no knockdown: 0 fault
First disobedience: 4 faults
Second disobedience: Elimination
Fall of horse or rider: Elimination
Exceeding time allowed: 1 fault for each second over time allowed.
THE COURSE
No two jump courses are the same. A jump course may be made more difficult by varying the distances between obstacles, the types of combinations (two or more fences set closely together in a line) or by placing the fences in positions that offer difficulty in finding a good approach to the fence. You will see a number of different types of jumps. The type of construction of a jump determines its difficulty. A fence that is composed of just a few rails, for example, appear more airy and is more difficult for a horse to negotiate than a more solid looking fence. The course designer is an extremely important member of the show staff. He or she must be conscientious and concerned about both the horse and rider. The course designer can present a variety of challenges to the horses and riders.
WALKING THE COURSE
Riders and horses may not practice on a course prior to actual competition. Riders plan their upcoming rides by walking the lines they intend to ride with their trainers. The riders pace off the distances between fences and determine how best to adjust this to their own horse’s strides. Riders also take note of the different types of fences, their relationship to one another, and other potential problem areas. They try to find where a tighter line can save vital time when jumping against the clock. After the walk, the riders will discuss strategy with their trainers prior to entering the ring.
JUMPER CLASSES
Jumper Classes are differentiated by jump height and rider category. This show includes classes at all of the following heights: 1.00, 1.10, 1.20, 1.30, 1.35, 1.40, 1.45 Meters.
AMATEUR-OWNER JUMPER
Jumpers are to be ridden by an Amateur-Owner or an Amateur member of the Owner’s family 18 or over.
JUNIOR JUMPER
Open to Junior riders age 17 & under.
JUNIOR / AMATEUR JUMPER
These classes are designed to provide a medium degree of difficulty. Juniors and Amateurs will be combined in the division and Junior / Amateur Jumper Classic.
CHILDREN’S JUMPER
Open to Junior riders age 17 & under.
ADULT AMATEUR JUMPER
Open to Amateur riders 18 & over.
OPEN JUMPER
Open to all riders of all ages, professionals and non-professionals alike.
