Ethnography (revised)

It was a chilly spring morning. Horses were unloading from different trailers all around. It was the first horse show of the season. You could tell the riders were not the only nervous ones. Horses pranced with nerves and excitement around the open field with their riders right beside them. As everyone warmed up for a long day ahead of them, the judge waited anxiously on the side of the ring to judge every person and horse that came their way. Each person that walked by the judge was a different type of rider. Some hunt seat, some western, and some english. It was the start of a long day.

It was the first horse show of the season. Riders walked back and forth from the office all retrieving their numbers they would be called by for the day. Horses waited anxiously by the trailers all looking hyper as ever, the usual behavior for the first show. I sat there and watched each rider mount their horses and trot around the practice ring, attempting to fix any flaw their horses or themselves have before entering the ring where they will be judged. There were all sorts of different riders. I seen some western riders, who jog around the ring slower then the others and also have an abnormal large saddle with a horn in the front, very different from others. I also observed the english riders. These riders trotted at a very fast pace, probably overlapping the western riders at least two times. Each type of riding has different rules, they need to be judged very differently. I always seem to notice how some riders look nervous as ever, while others seem to be over confident in themselves. I specifically remember seeing this one younger girl’s face. She was sitting on her horse outside of the ring biting her nails, waiting impatiently for her class number to be called. She constantly kept asking her trainer “what class is this, do you think I will do good?” Questions kept flowing out of her mouth like there was no tomorrow. As the morning went on the show was about to begin whether the riders were ready or not.

Watching each rider enter their specific class, each horse acts very different. Some are relaxed and ready, others are jumping left and right, refusing to enter the judging ring. Watching the flat classes which means there is no jumping, rider’s faces look serious, wanting to win first place, though the younger riders seemed just happy go lucky, not worrying about coming in first. As the judge yells his or her commands each rider has to obey them perfectly, the smallest mess up can coast you the whole class. As each class ends every rider exit’s the ring with a different expression. Some riders are proud their horses were good and what they receive does not matter, others exit in tears and furious they did not receive a better placing. I remember seeing this one girl on her large dun colored Thoroughbred horse cursing up a storm because she thought she deserved a better placing. It is interesting to see how every person takes a situation differently. This behavior I witnessed made me worry that I might of acted this foolish in the past shows I have been in. I found it amusing to see the younger girls exit the ring yelling to their parents or trainer “Did you see me! Did I look good!” There hearts seemed to be filled with confidence and excitement!

Once the flat classes came to an end jumping began. These classes are the most exciting to observe. In this show I attended there were three heights of jumping: 18in., 2ft. and 2’3. Each rider and their horse has to learn the jumping patteren and clear every jump. It may sound easier said then done. For a rider to get their horses around every tight corner on their correct lead and remember a pattern is very difficult. I sat quietly on the side lines and watched each rider enter their course. Of course every one completed this task differently. Some knocked jumps over, others forgot their patterns, and some rode with the wrong lead. You may think why is this form of riding more exciting to watch then the others. Well watching a horse and rider fly over a huge jump and try to race to the other one sounds more thrilling and kind of keeps you on the edge of your seat. Usually every rider here puts their all into every class and riding horses is not as easy as it looks.

As the day went on, the sun started shining and classes went on and on. Throughout the day I seen; tears, anger, excitement, fear, and courage. Attending horse shows is a non-stop moving day, although it is worth to go and watch. Showing my whole life and knowing how stressful it can be to feel like you need to get everything done perfect, sitting back and observing is a nice change!