SE Wisconsin Minis

You think you might like to show your minis but lack confidence; think it’s too expensive, and don’t want to travel far from home. I can tell you that showing at local, or open, shows is a good way to get started. 

The Wisconsin Horse Council has made it a simple to find the local shows by going to their website http://wisconsinstatehorsecouncil.org/ . While you’re there read about the Championship Challenge program and perhaps you may want to join in that competition. On the same page is a link for the Sanctioned Shows for 2010 which will tell you when and where the shows are state wide.  (I do not believe this is the complete list for the season.) The shows are listed by month and dates and each one is a link to a show bill. You will need to check the show bill of any show that interests you to see if miniature classes are listed. For instance look at May 31^st  Beaver Creek Saddle Club and click on that link to see their class list. 

Here’s a list of the classes to look for and what they do. Remember minis can DO almost anything!

 

Pony/mini halter: This is just like any show where you get your horse all cleaned up, wear your nice long sleeve shirt or jacket, walk or possibly trot in (they’ll tell you), set up your horse and let the judge decide who’s best.

 

Spotted Horse at Halter: This is like the halter class except you will be in the arena with all size pintos from mini to big.

 

Showmanship: Like halter but more work and it is often divided by age (Junior or Senior – that’s the person not the horse). It is judged more on the person; and you have to take your horse along a pattern (walk, trot, pivot as posted prior to the class) and then move around the horse as the judge moves. Again this class is NOT limited to minis.

 

English or Western Halter:   This is another class to show at halter. It will be against all size horses and a requirement of the class is to present yourself and your horse in the style of the class (English riding clothes and English halter or Western clothes and Western halter).

 

In Hand Trail: This is an obstacle course where you will have to go around cones, back between objects, and pivot or side pass. This may be listed as pony/mini or just open and that will include any size but everyone goes one at a time. This is a good class to get started showing with after you’ve practiced at home of course.

 

Pleasure Driving:  If it’s listed as Pony/Mini, you will have to drive around the arena at a walk, trot, and perhaps extended trot and back a few steps as the judge asks.   If it’s listed as OPEN you have to drive in the arena with all size horses so you want your mini to be very confident.

 

Reinsmanship Driving: This class is driving but a large part of the judging is on the driver. You will be asked to walk, trot, extended trot and probably back but you may also have to drive a pattern that the judge asks. You may be asked to drive with only one hand or to drive a figure eight etc. 

 

Any 4-H shows will require you wear a helmet to drive.

 

These shows are usually within an hour or so of home and the cost per class is reasonable. Using the Beaver Creek for instance the charges are $2 to the office for all the paperwork it involved in putting on a show and $5 per class to cover the costs of the judge and the ribbons. Most shows start around 8 or 9 in the morning so you might be home by dinner. The people are very friendly and helpful.  If you think you’d like to try this and have any questions about classes or showing, just ask some of our club members that do showing. It really is a fun, rewarding way to spend a day with your horse. Who knows maybe you can get the whole family involved.