Horse enthusiasts will gather Saturday as they compete to be the top rider in an array of class competitions that will be hosted by the Murray State Horseman’s Club.
The spring schooling show will allow competitors of all ages, styles and levels of experience to come out and gain more competition experience or just have a great time in a low-key environment.
“Schooling shows are great because riders of all ages and levels can come to have fun,” said Horseman’s Club member Torrey Perkins, freshman from Harvest, Ala. “It also provides valuable learning experiences for riders on how to show. Even just bringing your horse to participate in the fun classes can be positive for desensitizing your horse to busy environments.”
Perkins said the spring show is a low-key show that allows horse and rider to become accustomed to some of the stress involved with showing while getting valuable critiques.
The show will offer more than 30 events, some of which include English and Western Dressage, Jumping, English Pleasure and Equitation, Western Pleasure and Patterns and other various fun classes.
English and Western Dressage events center around the ability to perform complicated tasks to exemplify the horse’s obedience, flexibility and balance training. The two differ in the riding styles employed and the general types of tack used.
Jumping events center around the ability to guide one’s horse smoothly, with correct form, over a series of jumps of varies heights in different levels.
English and Western Pleasure are designed around making the horse look like it is a pleasure to ride, meaning the rider’s ability to make the horse look good, differing only in riding style and tack used. English Equitation, however, revolves around the rider’s abilities to control the horse while executing maneuvers efficiently and cleanly.
All events will fund the Murray State Equine Center’s maintenance costs while also contributing to the funding for the various equestrian teams on Murray State’s campus.
“With the schooling show (Horseman’s Club) hopes to give our team riders and community riders valuable experience while also getting funding for the very expensive costs associated with keeping horses,” Perkins said.
The classes cost $5 or all day unlimited classes cost $55. The event will be held in the indoor arena attached to the Murray State Equine Center.
Story by Shannon MacAllister, Staff writer.