Do Something New with Your Horse:
Try an In-Hand Schooling Show!
Catoctin Chapter Sport Horse In-Hand
& Dressage Schooling Show
by Leslie Raulin
There are a lot of fun activities in which we may participate with our dressage horses – licensed performance (ridden) shows, schooling performance shows, clinics of all varieties, eventing shows, hunter/jumper shows, fox hunting, trail riding, etc. However, the majority of dressage riders do not participate in licensed in-hand shows – shows where the horse is not under saddle but instead is led by a handler (thus the in-hand nomenclature) for a judge to evaluate the horse’s conformation and the walk and trot gaits. In-hand shows may also be called “breed shows” or “dressage sport horse shows” as they may be an opportunity for breeders and trainers to compete horses of specific breeds in-hand in different age groups, and to evaluate the offspring of a mare, stallion, or family line. Breed shows may also have specific under saddle classes for evaluation of a young dressage sport horse prospect.
Every spring and summer the Catoctin Chapter of PVDA has two schooling shows that include both in-hand and performance classes. The shows are at Plantation Valley Stables in Middletown, MD. Click here for specific show information. The in-hand classes are an opportunity for riders/owners/trainers who do not usually participate in in-hand shows/classes to try out this type of class and to see what a judge says about their horse. Riders/owners/trainers/horses of all ages and breeds may participate. You do not need to be a breeder and geldings are welcome. The in-hand classes can be less stressful (for horse and person) than performance classes, and the horses can have a positive experience off the farm. The in-hand classes are also an opportunity for professional and amateur breeders and handlers to practice showing in-hand with a horse. During an in-hand class, the handler “sets up” the horse in a “stance” in front of the judge to be evaluated on its conformation. The handler then exhibits the horse at the walk on a small (15 m) triangle and then at the trot on a large (30 m) triangle. The triangle is delineated by cones, plants, or planters. The set-up area is delineated by a ground pole.
Every spring and summer the Catoctin Chapter of PVDA has two schooling shows that include both in-hand and performance classes. The shows are at Plantation Valley Stables in Middletown, MD. Click here for specific show information. The in-hand classes are an opportunity for riders/owners/trainers who do not usually participate in in-hand shows/classes to try out this type of class and to see what a judge says about their horse. Riders/owners/trainers/horses of all ages and breeds may participate. You do not need to be a breeder and geldings are welcome. The in-hand classes can be less stressful (for horse and person) than performance classes, and the horses can have a positive experience off the farm. The in-hand classes are also an opportunity for professional and amateur breeders and handlers to practice showing in-hand with a horse. During an in-hand class, the handler “sets up” the horse in a “stance” in front of the judge to be evaluated on its conformation. The handler then exhibits the horse at the walk on a small (15 m) triangle and then at the trot on a large (30 m) triangle. The triangle is delineated by cones, plants, or planters. The set-up area is delineated by a ground pole.
If you would like to try out an in-hand show, there is a plethora of instructional information on the internet, including excellent videos. The USDF has specific sport horse test sheets, which include instructions for each type of class. Click here for these test sheets.
The Catoctin Chapter shows have the following in-hand classes: yearlings in-hand, 2- & 3-year olds in-hand, 4-year old and older in-hand, mares in-hand, and geldings in-hand (all of these classes use the USDF Sport Horse Prospect In Hand Individual Scoresheet), and novice handler in-hand (this class uses the USDF Amateur/Junior/Young Rider Handler Scoresheet).
The Catoctin Chapter welcomes you to enter our shows. You may enter in-hand classes, performance classes, or both. Warm-up is an outdoor sand/bluestone arena and the show arena is an indoor arena with new footing.
If you have any questions about the show, email the Show Manager Debbie Lomb at [email protected] or the Co-Manager Deborah Zafrani at [email protected].
The Catoctin Chapter shows have the following in-hand classes: yearlings in-hand, 2- & 3-year olds in-hand, 4-year old and older in-hand, mares in-hand, and geldings in-hand (all of these classes use the USDF Sport Horse Prospect In Hand Individual Scoresheet), and novice handler in-hand (this class uses the USDF Amateur/Junior/Young Rider Handler Scoresheet).
The Catoctin Chapter welcomes you to enter our shows. You may enter in-hand classes, performance classes, or both. Warm-up is an outdoor sand/bluestone arena and the show arena is an indoor arena with new footing.
If you have any questions about the show, email the Show Manager Debbie Lomb at [email protected] or the Co-Manager Deborah Zafrani at [email protected].