The Do’s And Don’ts Of A Horse Show | World Equestrian Center

I will never forget when I was showing, and my horse was very spooky and these children were jumping up and down on the metal bleachers next to the arena. When I rode by them, I yelled at them sit down. I’m pretty sure their parent was right next to them and not correcting their behavior.

No- no “who”. Don’t be a “whoooo” girl!!!

That was very informative, ty and you 2 made me laugh thanks so much

What a double act 🤣😂🤣😂

Awe, come on Katie. We are all dying to know who you wanted to win the Kentucky Derby.

very informative and hysterical at same time.

Abigail’s looks during the phone don’t

Great video 🎉

Just to add if watching a dressage class don’t take your seat or leave your seat whilst someone is riding their test. Wait until that test is over then go to your seat or leave your seat. At big events there are usually stewards preventing people from taking their seats whilst a test is being ridden.

You too are so cute 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 do more higher in the stands !

Also, some ppl are new at showing or showing a new horse or a young horse & they’re nervous or zoned in on their event & horse and may not want the distraction of answering questions or chit chatting. Allow them that space to stay focused. There’s plenty of other ppl that would love to answer quest & prob talk your head off.

Who is the girl with the red horse that you were working with?

I love this!

This sounds more like an explanation for why the average, everyday person avoids horse shows and sees the horse industry as elitist. And then to see so many comments piling on with even more things you're "not supposed to do"—it's discouraging.

“Don’t you dare bring your kids—my horse can’t handle crying babies, toddler tantrums, or any loud noises from the grandstand!”
“Don’t you dare clap at the wrong time! You’ll ruin my show horse—it can only perform in complete silence!”

This completely contradict the purpose of the grandstands. Isn’t the goal of training a show horse to prepare it for what it will likely encounter at a show? That includes unpredictable sights, sounds, and distractions. After all, the definition of “show” is to cause or permit to be seen—to exhibit.

And now people shouldn’t even walk through the barn aisle? Really?

Sure, a few points in the video—like entering someone’s tack stall uninvited or not understanding right-of-way—are just common sense. But that’s more of a broader societal issue, not a reason to alienate potential newcomers.

I’ve been attending and occasionally showing for over 30 years in A, B, and C-rated circuits, and my daughter has been showing for 10. We were both floored by this video—and even more so by the comments. SMH. So glad we do not show QH, WP or in Ocala. When asked, I will be sure to let non-horse people know that QH, WP classes and Ocala discourage against; Speaking freely in the grand stand, phone calls in the grand stands, any loud noises, walking barn isles, and clapping at the wrong time.

This whole video is full of double standards. 😂

Y'all are hilarious 😂💕

Just as a side note on the the right of way, that goes for any horse you see anywhere ie on the road(or side of the road) or bridle/walking path. So many times I would be walking/riding my horse along these and people would zoom by without slowing down and passing wide or people with dogs would not stop and keep dogs under control as we passed. I was lucky my horse was practically spook proof but not all are plz respect the horse and rider/walker.

I have been following you for about a year now. I love your content even though I know nothing about horses. I only live 8 miles from WEC and have gone a few times to watch some shows but I really don't even know what I am watching. Thank you for sharing the Do's and Don'ts of a Horse Show!!

Basically, God don't like Ugly. So don't be ugly, right Katie?

I went to my first county horse show a couple of weeks ago. I'm so glad I didn't do any don'ts! 😂
I was in my glory! I got to meet horses. I even had a horse kissing my hand that has never let anyone near his mouth! The owners jaws dropped and I didn't know why! They explained what a big thing it was for good Ole Ranger and it made my day! I felt so honored!

I have been showing for many years and still enjoyed this

Am not here to boast but as single mother your videos really inspired me. Am 38 and losing weight,clean from drugs and I have rebuilt burned relationships most importantly with my daughters💗and currently with $65,000 biweekly.

One of your most helpful to newbies. I like the way you shared your message ☺️

What a great video, such useful information! And it doesn't just apply to super high-level things like Congress and WEC. Pretty much everything Katie said here applies to the little local horse show down the street. Those horses and how they do in the show are just as important to their riders as the big names are!

This is awesome! So funny, I have seen them all😂😂😂

Great video ladies!

Thanks for the info. I've never been to a horse show but if I get to go to one I know better how to act

Sadly making fun of, gasping, looking down at and other rude behaviors are pretty common at horse shows. And the higher up the event &$$, the worse it is!

I have so many grievances about etiquette at shows lol

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people are standing next to the arena fence, leaning, hanging (even hanging items) off of, or even sitting on the fence during a class. Both adults and children need to respect the fence!

Errant items like strollers, umbrellas, lawn chairs, crinkly bags, children not being supervised, untrained dogs, etc. Granted, some desensitizing should be a part of your show horse's training, but you never know what could startle the horse or even yourself and potentially cause an accident or injury.

And I want to double down on the feeding part. Never feed someone else's horse (without permission/guidance), whether at a show or not. You could potentially kill a horse (i.e. grass clippings) or potentially disqualify a horse from showing or worse due to something like caffeine being detected for a drug test.

I spent my childhood around horses and shows,my grandfather bred Cleveland Bays, i was never a natural rider but still love horses and horse fashion, very practical with kids and dogs too❤🐴❤

Where is the video of seven and vet visit ? Waiting patiently 😅

Very informative. Thank you

Great educational video for those who might not have any experience with horses/showing. I also love how y'all made it light hearted and humorous too. Great job!

I didn't understand a lot of the terminology related to showing horses. A video on the different types of competitions or riding styles would be interesting. I live about an hour from WEC and this piqued my interest in attending an event.

Gainesville, just north of Ocala, is home to two beautiful equestrian gems:

Paynes Prairie (Micanopy, FL) - a state park with wild horses and wild bison

Mill Creek Farm (Alachua, FL) - a retirement farm for horses where visitors can love on the beautiful horses, many with health concerns

Im hoping to go to my first show( spectator) in June. Thanks for this video KVS, very helpful for a newbie spectator 😊❤❤

As a friend of actors, so many of these rules also apply to human performances! My friend group has a “block and a half” rule in NYC, which is,no negative feedback before you are a block and a half away from the venue. EVERY time this rule is broken, we would be behind someone’s mom.

Been there for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. Way too much walking for the disabled. But a lovely site overall. And dog show rules are the same, but these rules are rarely adheres to.

Who's the person riding on the bay horse in arena in the background with the pink/burgundy/red ish shirt?

This has nothing to do with anything except your shirt, Katie…I recently bought the same one and wore it yesterday to my son’s high school graduation 😊 Target for the win! 😂

Do you see those fold down seats? Don't just stand up and let them bounce back. SO LOUD. Place your hand on your seat edge and as you stand use you hand to keep it from recoiling. I am often at venues with seats like that for education and hearing those loud seats banging all day is very distracting. Thanks for the etiquette.

DON’T- laugh at someone when they are in the middle of their trail class and talk crap when you’re 20 feet from them🤷🏽‍♀️ literally was his first show ever and he spooked at a PVC pipe cactus in the trail class😂

Kady Katie made me laugh so much. 😂🤣😂🤣😂

This is really well done and y'all are super cute with your acting.

Great video, thanks! 🙂

Also DONT be judgy about a horses gait especially western pleasure. It is what they are bred for.

Great advice for ALL shows with animals…except for the clapping and hoot and holler at a dog show…dogs feed off that!!

Yall absolutely killed it at acting out the dos and donts.