It’s a modern-day discussion, and sometimes a heated debate: what prizes should we expect when we show, and should we always expect one? Some will tell you that a trophy or prize should truly be earned by the best, and not everyone should get one, since the value of showing is in the experience. Others say that a return on their monetary investment with a prize of some kind should be a consideration, especially in this day and age of dwindling numbers in divisions such as youth.
What do exhibitors really think about the importance of prizes? Are ribbons a thing of the past? Is a ribbon enough sometimes? GoHorseShow surveyed amateurs, trainers, and youth to find out what the variables are in their eyes, and what they believe the focus should be when we show.
Violet Shetler (pictured above) – I feel like I achieved something if I get an award. It helps me set goals for my horse and me, and it’s really nice to be recognized for my practice and hard work with my horses. Youth awards that are a good idea can be stall bags and sheets and stuff like that – things you can use. My favorite award is my 2014 Congress trophy that I won when I was eight!
Sydnie Ochs —I love to show; it’s my passion, so either way I would continue to do it but one of my favorite show’s prizes are at the Congress. I love getting those cash vouchers and gift cards. Even at Gordyville shows they give you Gordy bucks toward the food stand. I think it’s fun to get that stuff because then if you have your own money and you don’t have to always ask your parents or grandparents. I wish somehow there could be something set up for scholarships like NSBA does.
Cole Gower – I truly believe that overall, prizes should be awarded to the circuit champion and reserve champion, and at the world shows, and Congress. I think the experience in the ring is what you pay for and the hard work and dedication will persevere in the ring and show on the judges’ cards. The prizes are there to show your accomplishments and I think now with how AQHA has done the leveling, it has done a much better job with giving prizes/trophies to the competitors to which level they are currently showing. Our love of horses and showing should be the main focus of every show we attend. The bond between horse and rider should outshine everything else. At the end of the day, if your bond is true, a trophy should be the icing on the cake, but it’s an end goal and could be something to strive for.
Janet Fortenberry (right) – We only expect buckles at a “World Type” event. When Anne-Marie (left) was smaller, she was very thrilled to get ribbons or a small horse trophy. I have to say it is “nice” to get prizes at some of the horse shows and we are happy with bug spray or shampoo. If they are overall high point, perhaps a nicer gift. However, if a show doesn’t offer prizes we are still going to go show if it works in our schedule, not having prizes is not a deterrent. We also love when they offer an exhibitor dinner. We would happily forgo the prizes for the dinner as we seem to always be the last to leave.
Shelby Ratliff – I think as far as smaller shows, it’s about the experience you gain. You make goals for yourself and accomplish those goals to help you in the long run at larger shows such as the AQHA World Show and Congress. As far as the larger shows, I think it would be nice to receive something especially in the English events where saddles are rarely given. Overall showing really is about the fun and the experience that you gain.
Tim Jedra – This is a topic that I have had to deal with first hand from multiple perspectives–as a Horse Show Chairman purchasing awards on a minimal budget, as a trainer bringing clients who always like awards, and as an exhibitor myself. Horse showing is expensive and I agree with those that say it’s about the experience. Not everyone is always going to win an award and the enjoyment of our animals is what drives us. I do feel strongly that nice high point awards are part of that experience to reward the hard work and money put out. Everyone is different and having awards that suit all is nearly impossible, but something of value will keep the exhibitors coming back. Everyone would love to win a saddle or a high dollar award but that is not often practical for the local state clubs to offer. When I refer to “nice awards,” I enjoy awards that are useful and also aide in the experience rather than those that sit on a shelf. Our club does a lot of awards like drink coolers, lawn chairs, coffee mugs, muck/yard buckets, food trays, or even gift cards. These awards are a way for a club to say “thank you; we appreciate you coming.”
Olivia Hoecker – I think it depends on where you’re coming from, especially depending on whether you’re an amateur or novice or open rider. I know when I was first starting in the business, prizes meant a lot to me. I think beginners need a reward, even a ribbon, as the recognition is critical point in keeping people continuing to show, and we should offer some kind of recognition and reward for the progress they have made. When we’ve been showing a while, I don’t think it means as much, but I think some kind of reward is appropriate and needs to be there as a symbol of your accomplishment.
Susan Wilson – What I expect when I show is to have a satisfying experience with my horse that also ends up either being a learning experience and/or fun. As for the prize part of it, I think it is very nice when shows provide items you can use when you win a class (like a grooming product or horse treats or leg wraps as examples). I don’t really want or expect to receive a trophy or a buckle unless it is for a World or Congress title. Those types of items I display or wear (if it’s a buckle). The thing I really desire from showing is fulfillment.
Mackenzie Preston – When showing horses, one should expect to have a fun experience regardless if they win a prize or not. I think big prizes should only be awarded to the people who earned it, since they tried their hardest to come out on top and should get awarded for it. I also think people who participated in the class should also get a small prize for trying as well.
Melissa Sachs – For me fun, friends, family, goals, and titles are the reasons I show. I use horse shows and other types of competitions to set goals for myself as well as my equine partner. When I think back on my horse show experiences I think mostly of my friendships my accomplishments and my titles earned. Very rarely do I think about the awards unless it’s something that really stands out, like the MD round pen I won at the world show in the 90s!
Lyn Fick – Showing horses can be as frustrating as it can be uplifting and motivating. It is not for the faint of heart. It is not an inexpensive hobby, sport, or pastime. Although it is the goal of every participant to win, other more important goals such as sportsmanship and camaraderie are stressed in the show pen and around the barns. In recent years, show committees have struggled to reach a comfortable level of prizes and awards that will appease the competitors, yet not financially stress the clubs. Many clubs and shows are now providing a gift bag of goodies to each exhibitor as they register that is filled with items that have been donated by show sponsors. Additionally, random drawings are being held throughout the weekend for gift cards and merchandise that have been solicited by the club. All of these giveaways are a means of giving back and thanking exhibitors for their participation.
Another addition to some of the APHA shows are regional championships that are sponsored by APHA. These regional championships are structured with select classes for exhibitors that are not financially able to show on a national level. It gives them the opportunity to compete with similarly qualified competitors and win a championship buckle for a fraction of the cost of going to the world show.
Going forward, it will continue to be the responsibility of the trainers, the regional and Zone clubs, and the APHA membership as a whole to ensure the continued vitality of the horse show industry. This can only be accomplished by continuing to have a balance of genuine competition, sportsmanship and integrity, prizes and awards, and overall affordability of the sport.
Dan Pacyna – If exhibitors want to get something, they should ride in a circuit, or futurity where prizes are advertised. If it says you win something, you can expect that, but if not, a ribbon is good. If it doesn’t state that you win something, then people should not expect it. Otherwise, you’re there to get points, and to make your horse better. Saddles and other prizes are nice to get, but I look at it differently. I have a lot of young horses, so if I have a good ride and they go nice, I’m happy, because I know I’m getting points on them. If you’re in this to get prizes, you should get a different hobby.
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How much and what we should win may always be a topic of debate as times change, whether it’s in response to horse showing, soccer playing, or any other hobby we take up with a passion. But for those who show horses, one prevalent theme emerges despite what side of the fence they sit on. That theme reveals that our focus, once the show is over, is unavoidably on our relationship with our much-loved horse.
What do you think? Do you agree with the comments above? Let us know!
