Quick read: Horse showing can be an incredibly rewarding experience for young equestrians. It teaches discipline, organizational skills, and the importance of hard work and dedication. However, with the introduction of technology and other advancements in recent years, horse showing has changed quite a bit from what it used to be. Let’s take a closer look at how horse showing has evolved over time.
Digital Technology
As with many areas of life, digital technology has had a huge impact on horse shows. Nowadays, most competitions are held online. Equestrians can sign up for classes without ever having to leave their homes and can review scores almost instantly after each competition. Furthermore, there are now numerous mobile apps that allow riders to keep track of their progress and performance in real-time. This helps riders stay engaged and motivated during long competitions as they can easily see their scores as they go along.
Safety Improvements
The safety of both horses and riders is always a top priority at any show venue or event. In recent years, new safety features have been implemented at show venues to ensure that everyone remains safe throughout the competition. For example, many horses now have sensors mounted on them that detect irregular heart rates or breathing patterns that could indicate distress or exhaustion before any serious injury occurs. There are also special mats placed around arenas to protect horses from falls while they are jumping fences or performing other challenging tasks.
Competition Format Changes
Another major change in horse showing over the years is the format of the competitions themselves. Previously, shows were typically held in large arenas with dozens of equestrian teams competing against one another for prizes or awards. Nowadays, however, most shows are held in smaller settings where only two or three teams compete against each other for a set amount of time or until one team is declared the winner. This changes the dynamic considerably; rather than competing against hundreds of competitors for a single prize, riders now have more chances to focus on their own performance and hone their skills as they compete against just one or two other teams at a time.
Bottom line: No matter what type of horse show you choose to participate in—be it online or live—it's important to remember that safety should always come first! With all the technological advancements we've seen recently, horse shows have become safer than ever before while still remaining fun and exciting events for young equestrians everywhere! So if you're looking for an activity that will challenge your child while teaching valuable lessons about hard work and dedication, consider signing them up for an upcoming show! You won't regret it!
Ending on a laugh...Because sometimes THIS:
Anything to add? What have YOU enjoyed most about showing today?