Accepting Awards in Street Clothes and Without a Horse: Time-saver or Faux Pas?
By: Brittany Bevis
With the summer show season fully in swing and major events like the Youth Worlds, NSBA World, and even Quarter Horse Congress on the horizon, horse and rider teams are perfecting their skills and scrutinizing even the smallest details of their show turnout. Everyone wants to make the best first impression in front of the judges, hoping ultimately to receive a coveted call back in for the awards ceremony.
Sometimes, at very large events like the Congress, a single class may take 4-5 hours to complete. By the time the results have been tabulated, the winning rider may have changed out of show clothes and the horse has been untacked. On occasion, riders come back in to accept awards wearing street clothes and sometimes even without their horses.
Therefore, we posed the following question. Is going back in to accept awards, without your horse, and in street clothes, a time-saver or a faux pas? Furthermore, is the expectation different for the winner of the class as opposed to someone in the Top 10? Is it ever acceptable for the winning rider to accept an award without his/her horse? Is the expectation different at a Championship event?
Read on to see what some of our EquineChronicle.com readers had to say about this topic. Some of their answers might surprise you…
The Exhibitors- Youth and Amateur
Lacey Reed– “In general, I prefer to see the Top Ten [come back into the pen] in their show clothes and with their horse. I feel it’s easier for the audience to recognize the rider when you do so. I feel the only time it’s acceptable not to do so is if the horse is being shown in another class at the time of the awards.”
Kacie Scharf- “In my opinion, I think it’s always better to go up in show clothes and with your horse. To me, it just makes the rider seem more excited and appreciative. That being said, if it’s a show like the Congress and you’re stalled far away, I think it’s alright to go up in show clothes, without your horse, if you’re in the Top 15. However, if you think you could be the winner, I really do think you should go up with your horse, regardless.”
Cassidy Jensen– “I feel, when competing at the high level shows like the Quarter Horse Congress, NSBA World, and especially the AQHA World, if you make it back to awards then you need to be dressed as though you’re showing, unless you have a conflict with another show pen. By doing this you’re being appreciative and respectful. We need to remember it’s an honor and a privilege; being in the Top 10 at these shows doesn’t happen for many people.”
“In my opinion, if you make it back, you need to show respect to your peers, trainers, and judges by showing up for the awards in your show clothes and with your horse tacked up like it’s about to show as well. I’ve always been taught it’s important to dress to impress. When showing at those high level shows, that’s something I live by when I enter the show pen.”
Meg DePalma Whelan– “I feel that at a large prestigious show such as the Congress, NSBA World, and AQHA World, if you earned the winning run, you should show up show dressed with your horse! That’s a huge accomplishment and memory that you and others will remember. With the photographers taking pictures and the live video feed going I’d think you’d want to look like the winner. I understand if there is a conflict in another arena and you’re pulled between two places. But, if you’re the winner, I still feel it takes priority.”
Paige Wacker– “In my opinion, everyone who placed in the class should be in their show attire for the awards ceremony, regardless of how they place. This shows respect, not only for the judges’ time, but to everyone that competed in the class! With that being said, I think it looks respectful and professional to have the horse present for the awards. However, if the horse is competing in other classes that day, I understand why just the exhibitor would be there to accept the award.”
“To me, the biggest thing is showing respect and being a good sport. That’s one thing my parents and trainers (Robin and Jenny Frid) have preached to me. At the end of the day, people remember how you acted and the attitude you had when things did or did not go as planned. They don’t remember how you placed!”
Marylyn Caliendo– “I feel that if you have won a class, it’s important to have your horse and your show outfit on. Wearing the outfit advertises for the designer, and we should give the horses their due. I know sometimes we may have to wait to have the win picture taken due to the trainer having a class coming up or someone else in the barn getting ready to compete. I feel, as an exhibitor, that if I win or get Reserve in any class, I want everyone involved and credited. Plus, the big shows are what we strive for, so why shortcut ?”
Mackenzie Matthews– “I think coming back in plainclothes is unacceptable and reflects poorly on the rider. The awards that are being given are prestigious and should be considered a great honor to receive. Coming back in plainclothes is disrespectful and gives the impression that the award isn’t worth enough for you to get dressed.”
“As for coming back in without your horse… I have absolutely no tolerance for this. In our sport, the rider is nothing without their horse. Their horse is their partner, their ally, and their other half. The award is as much your horse’s as it is yours. They deserve the recognition as well. Even though they’re animals, it also reflects a lot on the rider and their priorities if they don’t make the effort to bring their horse back with them.”
“I think the expectations are higher for the winner, but that doesn’t mean the bar is set much lower for the Top 10. At the World Shows and Congress, the Top 10 is still an extremely prestigious award. They should still have AT LEAST their horse with them, if not wearing their show outfits as well.”
Katsy Leeman– “What’s more alarming is the number of kids I see win their first big class and they don’t take their horse back to get the award! I don’t feel like that’s what our youth should be learning. It’s hard because I feel different standards apply to different events and divisions. I’m not a stickler for show clothes, but I do think you should accept the award in clean, presentable attire. That being said, I think, at large prestigious events, you should be able to spare the time to put your show clothes back on and go accept an award.”
“I also think it’s important to take the horse along, even if it’s in a halter and lead rope. You can’t win anything without a good horse, and I think kids are forgetting that, which may be why they don’t take their horses along. Sometimes, it’s exhausting showing all day, but I think there are a lot of young eyes watching, and it’s important to show them good sportsmanship when accepting awards. I like to see people clean and presentable for awards, and I especially like to see someone with their horse, even if they’re standing next to them petting them! It just shows a love for the athletes that make it possible for us to win at those big events. Anyone in the Top 10 should be in clean or show attire, and I think your Top 3-5 horses in major events should be present.”
Clare Swanson– “I think it all depends on the show and the placing. If it’s at the Congress, and they won an event, I would hope they would come back with their horse and in proper attire. It would be understandable for a trainer since they may be showing multiple horses… but for such a big special award you would think you would want to be dressed to accept the award. At a smaller show, there is a little more slack in the acceptance of an award. But, with all eyes on you at a large competition, it may be taken as slightly disrespectful.”
Carli Stewart Armenta– “I personally feel that the way we present ourselves when receiving awards is subjective. It definitely depends on the prestige of the show and maybe even the weather. We should always represent ourselves in a manner that shows respect to the event where we’re winning an award.”
Scott Reinartz– “I believe, if you’re at a World Show, you’re receiving a Top 10, and especially if you’re getting hardware, you should do your best to show up dressed and with your horse. At the Congress, I have a little different thought. If you’re receiving hardware, yes, you need your horse and stay dressed. For the Top 15, not so much, simply because of the time it takes for the class to run, and you might be stalled a quarter mile away. It’s hard on your horse’s legs be to walking on all that pavement. I care more about my horse’s well-being than any award recognition. We, as exhibitors, should do our best to represent the breed and organization to the highest level possible, so I do believe we should show up dressed appropriately.”
The Trainers and Open Competitors
Ashley Lakins– “I don’t show in anything other than Western Pleasure, so we always have our horses with us, and we’re always in show clothes. But, in other events, I do understand someone wanting to get out of their clothes. But, I think that’s being kind of lazy if you get a Top 10. I think riders should still stay dressed and on their horses for the Top 10 to receive awards.”
“The crowd also likes to put the names of horses and people with the faces. I know this isn’t exactly the topic, but I get so annoyed when show management excuses Western Pleasure horses before they’re announce on at least one card. I understand they’re trying to speed up the show, but horses and their owners like to be recognized. I think it’s great for the crowd to get to see who placed where.”
Tara Lombardo Landon- “I feel the Top 10 or 15 exhibitors who are being recognized for an award should come back into the arena dressed in show clothes, especially at a large, prestigious show like the World Show, NSBA World, and the Congress. Maybe not necessarily with chaps on, but a hat, shirt, and tie or show jacket. I like it when they come back in with their horse, but realistically sometimes that might not be practical.”
Scott Jones– “I think it’s really a hard call there. Many times, especially at the Congress, we all have so much going on rather than getting redressed or bringing the horse back up. Although, we all put so much time and hard work into that horse show and others that the recognition of the dressed rider and horse might be nice to see.”
What’s your opinion? Is accepting awards without a horse and in street clothes a time-saver or faux pas?
