For those curious about USA "big" shows

[BunnyDog]

The Prize List came out yesterday for the Devon Horse Show.

This is one of a few very big deal horse shows. It's also near me geographically and I have competed there some in the non restricted "Horse Hunt Teams" class. It's the only money worth spending for this show since I will never show enough to be qualified for the other jumper classes.

The leadline classes are enormous. TONS of well tranquilized ponies and kids. Parents dressed to the nines etc.

The grandprix courses are lovely and usually draw McLain as he has won the GP here, often.

But for all the stuff that you see on Facebook there's some stuff you don't see. So here you go, the entire prize list.

I recognize that this is different from your shows, so if you have questions ask away.

https://www.devonhorseshow.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022-Devon-Prize-List-DRAFT-Compressed.pdf

Em

 

[Orangehorse]

Thank you for this. We certainly don't have to give anyone our tax details!

 

[j1ffy]

Wow - I only really know about dressage and eventing prize money over here and your prizes look impressive! $50,000 arena eventing and four-figure prizes for showing classes. I know the cost of entry, stabling etc is high on your side of the pond.

 

[stangs]

$45,000 PONY HUNTER SECTION...$60,000 JUNIOR HUNTER SECTION

Mind-boggling amounts of money there. I think the pressure would damn near kill me, after paying the entry and stabling costs too.

Must be fun to spectate though.

 

[ihatework]

Mind-boggling amounts of money there. I think the pressure would damn near kill me, after paying the entry and stabling costs too.

Must be fun to spectate though.

Very sad.
Must take a lot of the fun out of it for a good chunk of kids.
Thank god I learnt to ride on cheap ponies doing PC

(prize money aside, you see similar type of pressures on the ponies circuit here though)

 

[jnb]

The entry fees are $1500 in some of the pony classes hence huge prize money...30 in the class, do the math (s)

 

[Arzada]

TONS of well tranquilized ponies and kids

Is this really permitted? Or does it have a different meaning that I don't know?

 

[[153312]]

Not surprised about pony-doping to be honest but giving kids anything would be a whole new low if it really goes on.

 

[BunnyDog]

Is this really permitted? Or does it have a different meaning that I don't know?

To explain.... the ponies for Leadline only, are allowed to be given something mild to keep their level wits about them in a ring full of 50-70 other ponies, kids and with the parents (typically) leading. The ponies are usually the most known quantity in this arrangement, but still it could cause a LOT of problems to have one go nuts.

The children have only been "calmed" by letting them play in the carnival area of the show and ride the merry go round as many times as it takes to wear down their energy levels. Nothing drug like was inferred for the humans.

Here's a video from YouTube of the oldest riders division of the lead line from 2015.

Per the video maker's comments there were 56-58 in the class.

As far as the prices... Since you're all not used to our entries let me add....

$250 per stall, only valid for 3 days. $125 per night for an overnight stall if more nights are needed, depends on availability.

There's an office fee per horse, usually $120 ish; $30 in NGB drug fees, Ship in fee is $75+ And there are fees for Night Watch assesed to every horse on the grounds that stables.

This show is rare that it's in a suburban location. See pic attached.

Link:https://goo.gl/maps/LJAPwYLVySMS1DYx5

Yellow line is the boundaries. Trailers park 1.5 miles away.

Em

 

[AntiPuck]

This is fascinating, thanks for posting!

 

[ycbm]

the ponies for Leadline only, are allowed to be given something mild to keep their level wits about them in a ring full of 50-70 other ponies, kids and with the parents (typically) leading

Emily, to be honest, I find that really unacceptable. I am pleased that in the UK we would reduce the number who can qualify, and only place ponies that behave as a lead rein should, instead of the rules allowing the drugging ponies.
.

 

[BunnyDog]

For sheer entertainment value,

Here's what it looks like when Cudo does the Horse Hunt teams. (He's in the middle, the grey is a 1.20m horse and the bay behind is an awesome Hunter Derby horse who has competed bigger before as well. )

We were 3rd out of 23 teams.

Em

 

[BunnyDog]

Emily, to be honest, I find that really unacceptable. I am pleased that in the UK we would reduce the number who can qualify, and only place ponies that behave as a lead rein should, instead of the rules allowing the drugging ponies.
.

I don't disagree.

Em

 

[Widgeon]

Jeez....it says something that the Marriott is the hotel they're advertising. I guess this isn't the kind of show where you sweep out your trailer and bed down in there, is it

Do "normal people" (albeit presumably loaded ones) compete in these huge, costly leadline classes? Or is it sort of professional, in so far as anything can be when the riders are children? I just can't imagine the pressure involved with that amount of money floating around.

Thanks for sharing, this is a fascinating look at a whole aspect of life I know nothing about!

Edited to add, this is interesting - I'd guess they don't have too many problems with loose dogs then...?

"Any owner of a dog found loose on the show grounds will be fined $100 and will be responsible for the entry fees of the horse (s) whose performance may have been disrupted!"

 

[BunnyDog]

Jeez....it says something that the Marriott is the hotel they're advertising. I guess this isn't the kind of show where you sweep out your trailer and bed down in there, is it

Do "normal people" (albeit presumably loaded ones) compete in these huge, costly leadline classes? Or is it sort of professional, in so far as anything can be when the riders are children? I just can't imagine the pressure involved with that amount of money floating around.

Thanks for sharing, this is a fascinating look at a whole aspect of life I know nothing about!

Edited to add, this is interesting - I'd guess they don't have too many problems with loose dogs then...?

"Any owner of a dog found loose on the show grounds will be fined $100 and will be responsible for the entry fees of the horse (s) whose performance may have been disrupted!"

1) That's a Marriott Courtyard. Typically they're at the 3 star hotel level. Not a high rise with spa urban actual Marriott location. I personally love Marriott Courtyards because they are solid and affordable. That one during the show costs $235/night but it's in sight of the show grounds. Whereas another one within 15 miles is $136/night. And non Marriott locations nearby average $100-$200. Most between $150-$190.

2) Yes LOTS of normal and many local non-horsey people want their kids to do this. Locals with ponies make a mint off this day. What's really cool are the Military parents who lead their kids in full dress uniform. I think that's pretty awesome and far better looking than the boob job mom who didn't know how to lead a pony til that morning teetering around in the footing in her Jimmy Choo 5" heels. (nope, NOT joking)

3) STILL have problems with loose dogs. I know.... it's unreal but true.

Em

 

[Widgeon]

1) I remember staying in Courtyards on holiday as a child (my dad used them for work so got loyalty points and good rates - he tended to be rather disappointed when we were visiting somewhere with no "proper Marriott" as it meant no possibility of an upgrade to the lounge!) Still rather nice for a horse show though, $150-$190 sounds much more normal and affordable. Clearly I move in the wrong social circles.
2) That's really interesting. I get the impression that some aspects of the horse-related scene in the States are perhaps a bit more upmarket to ours....I can't imagine anyone non-horsey wanting to show ponies over here.
3) I am amazed. I'd have my dog carabinered to my waist, twice, for that kind of fine!

 

[COldNag]

Blinking heck. Those are eye- watering entry fees.

(I am used to local level stuff.

The arena eventing clases my daughter did was £20 or so entry. Showing type classes probably a tenner, maybe £15?

But then, she never won £50,000 ??).

 

[druid]

BIOHAZARDOUS MEDICAL WASTE: Containers for the disposal of needles, syringes, and other medical waste will be provided in all stabling areas. All exhibitors and their agents are responsible for the proper disposal of medical waste. This also applies to needles and syringes, which must be disposed of in the containers provided.

Jesus.

 

[BunnyDog]

BIOHAZARDOUS MEDICAL WASTE: Containers for the disposal of needles, syringes, and other medical waste will be provided in all stabling areas. All exhibitors and their agents are responsible for the proper disposal of medical waste. This also applies to needles and syringes, which must be disposed of in the containers provided.

Jesus.

That's at every show and in every prize list. I think, and forgive me it's been around a while, there was a court case many moons ago before this existed in our prize lists and the people who sued won a lot of money. So as a result it is in the prize list of every show in the USA ever after.

Em

 

[BunnyDog]

Blinking heck. Those are eye- watering entry fees.

(I am used to local level stuff.

The arena eventing clases my daughter did was £20 or so entry. Showing type classes probably a tenner, maybe £15?

But then, she never won £50,000 ??).

And to be fair.... that's distributed across the top 12 placings.

1st - $12,500; 2nd - $10,000; 3rd - $7,500; 4th - $5,000; 5th - $3,500; 6th - $2,750; 7th - $2,000; 8th - $1,500; 9th - $1,500; 10th - $1,250; 11th - $1,250; 12th - $1,250;

If you compare it with the $250,000 Grand Prix, the 12th place jumper is doing pretty good at double the 12th place prize of the eventer. But the jumper costs 2-3x more to buy (Made and established) and jumped considerably high (1.20 for eventers top height to 1.60 for jumper top height. LOL)

1st, Trophy and $82,500; 2nd, $50,000; 3rd, $37,500; 4th, $25,000; 5th, $15,000; 6th, $11,250; 7th, $7,500; 8th, $6,250; 9th, $5,000; 10th, $5,000; 11th, $2,500; 12th, $2,500

Em

 

[Gloi]

All that money around and the leaders don't bother to coordinate their outfits with the jockeys and ponies. Blue ribbons on the kid and a bright pink jacket on the mother and that pink skirt clashed horribly with the chestnut pony too?

 

[Michen]

Blimey. I assumed if it did move myself and pony to Colorado that would be the end of anything competitive but this makes it crystal clear!

I will appreciate our low key little local shows so much more.

 

[AntiPuck]

1) .

2) Yes LOTS of normal and many local non-horsey people want their kids to do this. Locals with ponies make a mint off this day.

Em

Oh wow, so many of the entrants are renting the ponies from locals just to enter the show?

So interesting, especially given the entry fees, I couldn't imagine that happening in the UK!

 

[BunnyDog]

Blimey. I assumed if it did move myself and pony to Colorado that would be the end of anything competitive but this makes it crystal clear! I will appreciate our low key little local shows so much more.

@Michen SOOOOOO not true.

Just to compare here's a prize list from a hunter/jumper show coming up in a couple weeks in Colorado:

https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...c24652ec066d6/1643052067953/Winter+2+PL+8.pdf

You need to understand that Devon is the top of the top level show. That's not a normal American show.

BUT... the cool thing is that the Devon show grounds are used for a MUCH lower level show later in the year. Called Brass Ring at Devon. It's a local show but held at Devon.

That show costs $30/class; $25 per horse grounds fee; $40 for a classic class, stabling is $95 for a night (one day show) and it gets TONS of entries. The jump heights go from cross rails to .85m. It's a lot of fun for people who are spectating at big Devon to be able to ride at the Brass Ring Devon.

Oh wow, so many of the entrants are renting the ponies from locals just to enter the show?

So interesting, especially given the entry fees, I couldn't imagine that happening in the UK!

So some local and a lot of VERY big name trainers from the hunter/jumper world bring ponies and clients to this show. It's a great way to get a client involved as their kid (and them) can compete in the same ring as Olympians. Very good marketing.

Em

 

[COldNag]

And to be fair.... that's distributed across the top 12 placings.

1st - $12,500; 2nd - $10,000; 3rd - $7,500; 4th - $5,000; 5th - $3,500; 6th - $2,750; 7th - $2,000; 8th - $1,500; 9th - $1,500; 10th - $1,250; 11th - $1,250; 12th - $1,250;

If you compare it with the $250,000 Grand Prix, the 12th place jumper is doing pretty good at double the 12th place prize of the eventer. But the jumper costs 2-3x more to buy (Made and established) and jumped considerably high (1.20 for eventers top height to 1.60 for jumper top height. LOL)

1st, Trophy and $82,500; 2nd, $50,000; 3rd, $37,500; 4th, $25,000; 5th, $15,000; 6th, $11,250; 7th, $7,500; 8th, $6,250; 9th, $5,000; 10th, $5,000; 11th, $2,500; 12th, $2,500

Em

It's a different world

I dread to think how much the horses/ponies cost!

 

[BunnyDog]

It's a different world

I dread to think how much the horses/ponies cost!

Well for the jumpers go to www.bigeq.com

For the eventers look here:

https://sporthorsenation.eventingnation.com/

Em

 

[jnb]

So many questions!
Why are the leaders in the lead rein on the inside, how can the judge see the pony past mummy's massive hat/daddy's uniform?
Are they judging the pony (conformation? Suitability? behaviour?), the rider, the combination or what?
Do they do anything other than stand or walk?
And did I just see a lead rein pony REAR and stay in the ring....would never happen in the UK.
Why do they wear huge numnahs and the rider, the little strap across their leg?

 

[Gloi]

So many questions!
Why are the leaders in the lead rein on the inside, how can the judge see the pony past mummy's massive hat/daddy's uniform?
Are they judging the pony (conformation? Suitability? behaviour?), the rider, the combination or what?
Do they do anything other than stand or walk?
And did I just see a lead rein pony REAR and stay in the ring....would never happen in the UK.
Why do they wear huge numnahs and the rider, the little strap across their leg?

The little strap must me to hold the kid on when the pony rears. I wondered what on earth they were judging on too, maybe lack of fear of enormous hats.

 

[sbloom]

Are the straps not a form of garter?

 

[COldNag]

Well for the jumpers go to www.bigeq.com

For the eventers look here:

https://sporthorsenation.eventingnation.com/

Em

Jeez
I need a lie down.