A saddle winner herself, Amanda explains how the non-rated schooling shows served her well. Making that move onward and upward is Amanda Loya, one of Karole’s junior riders. Asked when she knows it’s time for a student to advance, Karole says with a grin, “When they’ve won everything. After all, no one likes to compete against a “cherry picker,” an accomplished rider who swoops down for an appearance at a small show just to horde the first-place prizes. When horses like Pete have done their job, it’s time for the rider to move on to the larger shows and a more challenging mount. Perhaps in gratitude, the kindly gray packs all comers around the lower courses, and has earned a lifelong home at Karole’s barn. These horses are very special to us.”įor Pete’s Sake is one such special horse, a venerable gray gelding Karole salvaged after he had been relegated to pasture life. “You know the type-an older horse who knows his job, may be semi retired, who doesn’t have much resale value on the open market but has a heart of gold. “I like to find those ‘old campaigners,'” Karole says. Hence, a suitable horse can usually be purchased in the $2,000 to S4,000 price range. What counts in a horse at this level of showing is reliability, not classic hunter type or movement. Not only are entry fees cheaper, but the horses who bring home the aforementioned championships can be comparatively bargain-priced, too. Usually trotting in the corners is allowed in the crossrail classes, which is great.”Īnother plus is that non-rated shows offer beginning riders a chance to improve their skills at a price that’s quite affordable, especially compared to the rated shows. I want my students who are starting out to be slow and safe, and at schooling shows the rules are less stringent. Usually these types of shows offer crossrail classes. “ I always want my students to learn safety first, especially when jumping a course of fences. They’re also a way to gain an education about horsemanship. The schooling shows offer more than just a shot at a glamorous prize for Karole’s students. The warm-up ring isn’t scary, because all of the riders are basically at the same level.” Plus, the atmosphere at these shows is not psychologically intimidating. “Competing in a series for a high-point award is a great one. “I like my beginning riders to have a goal and a plan to get there,” says Karole. The series champions are then awarded prizes at the end of the season. And she also prefers schooling shows that are conducted as a series of three or more dates, where riders earn points for each ribbon won. Because most of her riders are new to showing and must operate on a budget, Karole steers them toward non-rated schooling shows with a history of good management, fair judges and safe courses.
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