Showing

Showing as an equestrian discipline strives to exhibit the most nearly perfect example of a particular type or breed of horse. Exhibitors must be skilled in the training and presentation of the horse as an athlete. When showing a horse, the rider has to perfect that art of riding the horse to show it off to its best advantage. The horse’s confirmation, its movement, ability and manners, are all taken into consideration in the show ring.

There are generally five classes offered in Showing:

The Show Hack should have excellent confirmation, be of a particular type with style and elegance. It should be beautifully trained, responsive and well mannered.

The Show Hunter is more powerfully built with lots of bone. It should have a workmanlike feel, a good gallop and be fit enough to have the stamina to last a hard day’s hunting.

The Show Riding Horse does not require the elegance of the hack or the substance of the Hunter but should be a lovely easy ride with solid confirmation.

The Working Hunter is required to jump a course of fences, have a good gallop and have the stamina to last a hard day’s hunting.

The Working Riding Horse should be obedient enough to perform various tasks with a good attitude and temperament.

Showing provides the rider with excellent grounding in horsemanship and ring craft. Many of our top riders in other disciplines started their riding careers in Showing. The discipline awards Provincial Colours annually to Pony Riders, Juniors and Adult Teams and we are proud of our record of being progressive and innovative. In 2004 the first previously disadvantaged Showing rider, Mamsie Raga, represented his province at the South African National Championships.