What to Expect at a Hunter Jumper show

The first hunter/jumper show we ever attended was in Upstate New York when our daughter was at riding camp. We were invited to come for pick up early in order to attend this show. We thought, similar to day camp when she was six years old, that we would show up for an hour or two (max), watch what she had learned and call it a day

We arrived early and watched in dismay and bewilderment as truck/trailer after truck/trailer pulled in and set up camp for the day.  And the horses!  It was way beyond anything we were used to at our daughter’s lesson barn!  Fast forward a couple months and I realize this is a LOCAL show!  Fast forward a couple of years and we attend our first A rated shows, and again my mind was blown!

Of course, in saying that, a few things come to mind – first the sheer number of horses at some of these events – one more gorgeous than the next!  And the cost!  A myriad of things come to my mind, but what is important to understand is that if your daughter is committed to advance her riding career or to have any hope of riding in college, showing is a must.  And by showing, I mean a LOT of it!  The top riders in the country (consequently the ones being actively recruited by NCAA schools) have in common a long “show” resume (think years) and have been on the circuit for years, most often showing multiple horses.

A quality local show, where you haul in and out on the same day, will cost you around $500-$700 dollars by the time you haul your horse, pay the trainer, show fees, etc.  Often, at local shows, they will not require that the horse be braided which will save even more money.  An A or AA show, in contrast, last for several days, require showing sometimes in multiple divisions.  An average bill at an A show is around $1100.  By the time you add on the trainer’s fees, travel expenses, the groom’s fee plus your share of their travel expenses, braiding, groom tip and your own hotel, food and transportation expenses – You can easily be looking at $3500-$5000 (or more) per show.

All of this really does not do justice to the experiences and life lessons you , and your rider, will learn, but this does give you an idea as to the cost involved. However, in the hunter/jumper world, there are no points accumulated nor counted until you are jumping at a level 3’ or higher; so until you are riding at that level, it makes a lot of sense to focus on the local shows.