Monthly Column by Carol Dean-Porter |
HORSE SHOW AWARDS
BEHIND THE SCENES
AT THE HORSE SHOWS
One
of the frequently overlooked tasks of horse show management is the
selection and purchase of awards to be presented to the winners of
each class as well as special awards for Champions, Reserve Champions
and other honors which may be given to deserving individuals.
Some horse shows award prizes to 5th place, some give as
many as 12 prizes in each class. Ribbons can range from a single
streamer to very elaborate multiple streamers with layers of fancy
rosettes. Some shows present rider sashes to be worn over the shoulder
and some award neck sashes which go around the horse’s neck, including
rosettes and streamers.
Another type of award frequently seen are medals, most with a ribbon
to be worn around the neck. These are frequently seen in specially
designated equitation classes known as “Medal Classes” and are
probably best known as the awards presented to the winners at the
Olympic Games.
In
the United States there are fairly standard colors for prize winners
as follows:
1st
place: Blue
2nd place: Red
3rd place: Yellow
4th place: White
5th place: Pink
6th place: Green
7th place: Purple
8th place: Brown
9th place: Gray
10th place: Light Blue
|
Some of these ribbons are solid color and some have the placing
designation as the center streamer and other colors on the outer
streamers
Championship and Reserve Championships are determined by high point
totals, by money won, or by special Championship classes
Champion ribbons are usually Blue, Red and Yellow. Reserve Champion
ribbons are usually Red, Yellow and White
Ribbons and awards are a large part of the horse show budget. Some
shows award prizes for class winners and Champions such as silver
trays, plates, bowls, ice buckets and pitchers. Others give standard
trophies. Also popular are such useful items as halters, bridles,
saddle pads, coolers, horse sheets, grooming aids, picture frames and
a variety of other items.
One
of the largest suppliers of horse show awards is Hodges Badge Company
of Portsmouth, RI. This family owned and operated enterprise has been
in the award manufacturing business for 85 years. They are the
official ribbon supplier for the United States Equestrian Federation.
Hodges catalog is filled with an amazing array of ribbons, trophies,
medals and every award imaginable.
Their latest innovation is called “Horse Show in a Box”, which
includes custom printed rosette ribbons to 6th place,
Champion and Reserve rosette ribbons, Trophies for every class winner,
Silver trophies for every Champion, Exhibitor numbers with string,
Secretarial supplies (including ID badges, pens, clipboards, judge’s
forms, pushpins, tape and other essentials) and a horse show planning
guide including a checklist. This product has it all!
You
can view their many products on the website
www.hodgesbadge.com.
Ribbons are mementos, which many riders keep for years. I still have
my first ribbon from 1958!!!
Carol's
Monthly Columns
