November 1 Show Draws Wide Turnout

The riders attending our dressage schooling shows in Pinehurst, often come from far and wide to school their horses.  Whether they be event or dressage riders, lower level or advanced, amateur or professional, both riders and horses need experience to succeed in the show ring.  Many horse owners and their trainers are willing to travel to get that valuable experience.

The best experience for any young horse or green rider is a safe one. The ability to show a horse with enough distractions to be helpful in building confidence, while doing so in a safe environment is invaluable.  While riding a horse is inherently dangerous, attendees of our shows often comment on the relaxed and comfortable environment available for their horses here. New surroundings are also a great place to practice with older and more trained horses too.

There is sometimes also an economic incentive to show one's horse as well.  With the economy breaking all of the wrong records lately, the horse industry still holds a stiff upper lip as it heads into it's slower winter months.  Many of the horses showing at Antares Dressage come because they are for sale.  Their owners are promoting them by acquiring good show experience, a respectable score, that perfect photo, and a video to help market their, often pricey, mounts.

Along with the show photographer, I created videos for DVD and to post online for horse sellers.  Some sale horses were offered for test rides, telephone numbers where exchanged, and horse sales flyers were posted on the scoreboard.

While some shows draw in predominantly local riders, others bring in riders from a wider geographic area. Saturday's show brought in riders of all levels from as far away as Greensboro, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Sanford, Fayetteville, Rougemont, and other North Carolina locations.  On occasion, people even make the trip to show from South Carolina too.  Also attending, were many local riders from Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Vass, Aberdeen, and Carthage.

We had some great prizes for first place finishes including gift bags and pewter picture frames donated by  AllAboutYouEquine.com. The last dressage show of the year will be held on December 6.  If you are interested in volunteering to help score or scribe at a future show or you would like to see the complete show results, visit
antaresdressage.com/show.