GoHorseShow recently wrote an article about trends judges wished would go away that was very thought-provoking and one of our most popular stories of the year. With the holiday season upon us, we wanted to further investigate the
topic of trends while celebrating the positive aspects of the industry. We asked
judges, trainers, breeders, and
exhibitors what positive trends they have recently seen in the horse
industry. Have you seen any encouraging developments in our industry? If
so, we want to hear about them.
Nancy Sue Ryan–I think a lot of positives are happening in the show horse industry. The welfare of the horse is at its best. Horses are healthy looking, carrying nice weight and coats are shiny. The horse abuse seems for the most part to be controlling itself amongst the trainers. It seems like the trainers are appreciating that we make a living with these horses– if the horse is uncomfortable, has a bad mind set, or incapable to doing their job, it only makes the trainer’s job harder. As trainers, we need our horses to make a living, having horses doing their disciplines willingly is making our jobs easier. The breeding of these great horses has also made our job easier. There are wonderful young horses out there to pick from that are bred to do their show disciplines. Speaking for the English disciplines, we are able to buy an English Horse that is bred for English events. We no longer need to scour the racing sales to bring in stock that is bred to go fast. I think we were having to train the speed out of the race bred horses which was not complimentary to the direction our industry was trying to achieve. Again, horses put in the correct discipline for what they are bred to do has made it easier for the trainers.
Ashley Hadlock–Over past couple of years, I really like AQHA’s effort of trying to involve more exhibitors and horses by introducing the leveling classes. By leveling the open classes, more horses are able to compete with other horses at their current level. I believe this allows an easier transition for horses to enter into multiple disciplines and events. I also feel adding the Novice Championships has allowed many exhibitors to set new goals that are obtainable for the level they are at currently. It provides a stepping stone to the next level of world shows-youth or amateur. AQHA has announced that for the 2015 World Show there will be separate qualifying points for level 2 exhibitors/horses. I see this being a positive step in bringing more entries back to the world shows. With all this being said, hopefully exhibitors, at all levels, will have goals to strive for and stay active longer in the association.
Carla Wennberg–Trends, wow, we have lots that come and go, many I have seen in 28 years of judging AQHA. First of all, some of the hunter under saddle horses are being presented more uphill and with a more forward canter, and I am really excited about this development. From judging the Congress, it was really exciting to see people ride their horses to look through the bridle instead of down at the ground. I love the horsemanship classes and I am seeing more form to function in riding–a good layout of pattern work and effective riding, rather than just a great trained horse with a passenger. I judged some really lovely riders at the Congress this year. In the equitation and horsemanship, there were many beautiful effective riders with feel. I hope this trend of teaching riders more of the “feel” of a turn around or the “feel” of a good lead change and we reward those who really feel every step.
Julie Wolf Voge–We have been very happy with the up trend of supporting us breeders at the summer yearling sales. Through this method, we are able to showcase our bloodlines while getting these babies into great show homes. Concerning shows, I have been always been impressed when I get to show to a judge that looks like they enjoy what they are doing. I like to see them smiling and being compassionate for the younger kids while they are showing. It’s the highlight of my day at the shows.
Scott Trahan–I have seen judging paying a lot more attention to soundness. When I first got in this, you could win big shows with not good legged animals. Not today. Also, I find judging to be fair. We have won our fair share without knowing any of the judges.
Melissa Henry-Shetler–I think one positive trend is the more forward and natural patterns in horsemanship. I love to see them going forward and working. It’s a breath of fresh air from the slow and overdone look. The horses look more content and easier to maneuver in the patterns. And it really allows for the bigger more forward hunt seat type horses to compete in that event.
Andrea Kengis Foss–I think that that the overall perception of showing has improved. I think that the horse’s performance is being rewarded before the people, clothing, or tack. I like the trend I am seeing towards simpler clothing and recycling older tack….even at large shows like the NSBA World Show and Congress. It doesn’t take a fancy jacket to win a class…reiterating that the emphasis should be on the horse and rider’s performance.
Debby Brehm–I am a real fan of the way the western pleasure horses are moving so I think that is a very positive trend this last year or two. I also like what I saw at this year’s Congress. When the judges asked for a gait change, riders were expected to move rapidly into that gate. Sure, you need 3-7 seconds to lope off properly, but no more riders walking half away around the pen before loping. My daughter, Morgan, loves the new trend in horsemanship–wearing fitted button down shirts. These shirts offer a more fitted smooth look. Regarding fashion, I am a big fan of vests and am happy to see so many women wearing them in all classes. I also like in pleasure that no one is penalized for riding off the rail. Regarding halter trends, I am pleased that balance is being stressed as much if not more than bulk. To me there isn’t a prettier sight than a well muscled, well balanced, small headed halter horse.
Jeff Williams–I like that the trend is getting away from ridiculously over the top show clothes and saddles. Women are wearing vests with starched shirts and less is more on the saddles as well. I think that is a huge problem for newcomers when they see they’ll have to spend tens of thousands on clothes and tack just to look like everyone else. I also like the fact that the pleasure horses are being moved out as an additional gate in the classes to show off the movement both extended and normal.
Erin Bradshaw–You can always find the negative in everything, especially the horse business, but if you’re going to look at the positive– here’s what I see: head sets–horses are no longer getting awarded for going around with their heads in the dirt and to their chest. Your top pleasure horses have level natural top lines with their noses pointed out. Level top lines are what win in the quarters and that is finally stepping over in the APHA which is causing a huge movement in how the pleasure classes are judged. They’re also asking for more forward movement in the pleasure classes–those that don’t extend when asked will probably not place as well as those that do extend. People that refuse to change with the times will probably continue to see a lack of results. Things are evolving and you have to keep up with the changing trends if you want to be a strong competitor.
Rosie Sheffer–At Congress and the World Show, I have definitely seen a positive improvement towards the presentation of hunter under saddle horses. With exhibitors being encouraged to show closer to the rail there is more space to maneuver and show each horse at the pace that best suits the size and gait of the horse. The hunter under saddle is showing at a more forward pace allowing the big horses to stride out. It also seems that there is more variety in color and size of the horses where the emphasis is more on quality and fluidity of the gait than how big the horse is. With so many options now to breed to top quality quarter horse stallions, there is less of a need to have so much thoroughbred bred into the hunt seat horses. The resulting prospects are great minded, have more body and still have the height and stride to be a competitive versatile show horse.
Austin Gooding–I saw a noticeable difference this year in the number of people showing their pleasure horses at the speed that best suits their horse even if it meant pulling out and passing. It not only makes it much more enjoyable to watch, but the horses enjoy it more when you’re not having to mash on the throttle for full leg extension and ride the brakes at the same time to stay slow enough to not pass. To me this is another positive evolution of the pleasure class.
Chelsea Carlson–One big change I’ve seen in the industry is definitely the clothing trends. From a weekend show to national level competition it’s been very apparent that as long as you are fitted well in your clothes, whether it be a button down or a sparkly jacket, whatever you’re comfortable in and can afford goes. I believe this is opening the door to a lot of people who are getting started and can’t afford everything at once. It really makes it all about your go and not what you’re wearing. Another big change over the last few years is a change in the difficulty of showmanship, horsemanship, and equitation patterns. It used to be a common thing to hear how it was just about the most broke horse in the pen, not to say that having a broke horse isn’t an asset now, but I think with a higher degree in patterns, it’s really anyone’s game.
Danielle Burnight–I think the economy for the horse industry is getting better. I definitely get more calls from people looking to buy horses. I love the theory of some of the newer shows, like Show For Dough and its 100% payback. I hope to see more of these shows coming to fruition. I think its great that the AQHA is re-testing our judges. We have some great horsemen and women that judge our shows. I have no doubt they will all come through with flying colors but there is no harm in a little “brush up” for everyone. I also think there are some major improvements in the movement and self carriage of our horses. The new judging criteria of 1. Correctness. 2. Quality. 3. Degree of Difficulty, is helping. I think the western horses are jogging cleaner and not being placed as well if they don’t. I also am starting to see a lot more free moving horses with great cadence and consistency. The first time it was introduced for me was at the judges seminar last year by Dave Dellin. I thought he did a wonderful job explaining it.
Blake Carney–It seems to me that there is a wide range of people able to show right now on different levels, and I’m definitely noticing a comeback with people looking for horses and an interest in the industry. There are a lot of people with a great attitude for working hard and seeing their work pay off coming up in the industry.
Carey Nowacek–Of course, I love the plain button down shirt trend for the horsemanship and other western events. I think especially for the horsemanship it really shows body position well and you can’t hide anything. I am also glad to see more and more people steering away from the long drape rein in the horsemanship. Having soft connection through your reins makes it look like you are feeling your horse and connected during the whole pattern.
