It’s the time of year when you have probably heard riders, trainers and instructors talk about equitation finals. If that sounds like they’re speaking in Chinese, here’s a quick primer.
Simply put, the finals are a number of autumn competitions for riders who have qualified at shows across the country for the chance to compete on a national stage against fellow qualifiers. The first final of the season, the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup is happening this weekend at the All American Horse Classic in Indianapolis. Held since 1992, pleasure equitation riders around the country have won qualifiers at local shows by showing rail work and all completing the same pattern, a 4 loop serpentine at the trot, to earn the right to show this weekend against fellow winners. Riders will be divided into 2 divisions, the junior riders who are 13 and under, and the senior exhibitors, who are 14-17. Each rider will complete rail work and individual patterns in phase one. From these initial performances, judges will select finalists to return for additional rail work before a champion and a reserve champion are selected.
Competition is wide and deep in these classes, and riders are lucky to make the coveted ‘top 10′ of any final. Riders from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky will compete in the cup final this weekend. Knollwood will be represented by Syd and Savannah in the junior division, and Shelby, Allison, and Ashley in the senior group. (There is an 18 and over division of this final at the show as well, in case any of you graduates of the parents’ class are developing your future goals!)
For those of you who’d like to watch some deep competition, this show will be webcast here where you can also see the schedule.
The next final coming up is the National Championship of pleasure equitation, held at the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival in Madison in September, followed by the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion, held at the St Louis National Charity Show from September 28 – October 1. Stay tuned, and we’ll update you as the ‘final season’ progresses!
