How to Make Your Horse Show More Engaging and Fun for All Ages

Horse shows are about more than classes, placings, and ribbons. Creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere can increase exhibitor satisfaction, encourage repeat attendance, and help your show stand out from the dozens of others competing for entries each season.

Create Activities Beyond the Show Ring

One of the easiest ways to increase engagement is to offer activities that aren't directly related to showing. Kids especially appreciate having something to do between classes. Parents often appreciate these activities just as much as the kids because they help break up long days at the showgrounds.

Consider organizing a scavenger hunt, goose chase, horse-themed trivia contest, or even a horse show bingo game. These activities require very little financial investment and can keep exhibitors entertained throughout the day. Offering small prizes for the first five participants to complete the challenge adds excitement without significantly increasing your budget.

Host an Exhibitor Party or Social Event

An exhibitor party is a great way to show participants that you appreciate them choosing your event. It doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive. People may forget what class they won three years ago, but they'll remember the fun experiences they had with friends.

Consider partnering with a local business to sponsor snacks, pizza, donuts, or an ice cream social. These gatherings create opportunities for exhibitors to socialize, make new friends, and build a stronger sense of community within your show.

Think Beyond the Ribbon

Most exhibitors appreciate ribbons, but teens and adults often enjoy receiving something they can actually use. The All-Breed Youth Show in Mason, Michigan, offers three different prize item options for first place winners in addition to their ribbon. This gives exhibitors some choice in their prize selection. The class winner prize options this year were: brushes, water bottles, duffel bags or a lunch bag. All with the show logo and “class winner” printed on them. They were a hit!

While better prizes can increase costs, they can also increase participation and exhibitor satisfaction. If a larger prize budget isn't possible, consider seeking sponsors, purchasing in bulk, utilizing 3D-printed awards, or creating custom items that provide value without breaking the budget.

3D Printed Keychain, estimated cost to make 60 cents. 

Reward More Than Just the Winners

One creative way to make more exhibitors feel appreciated is to distribute prizes throughout the placings rather than only rewarding champions.

At the All-Breed Youth Show, TurnoutHQ sponsored five prize baskets. Instead of holding a random drawing, we recruited some kids to draw class numbers and placings from a container. For example, a basket might go to the exhibitor who placed sixth in class 110. This approach spreads excitement throughout the show and gives exhibitors at all levels the opportunity to receive something special. 

The Pinto World Show gives out frisbees to a different placing every day, and at the end of the day, people can throw the frisby for a chance to win $100. A lower budget option is to give raffle tickets out to everyone who got X place (choose your placing) and enter them into a special prize drawing. 

Make Everyone Feel Welcome

Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can offer costs absolutely nothing. A simple "Glad to see you!" or "Thanks for coming to the show!" can make a lasting impression. Exhibitors have many options when choosing where to spend their weekends. Let them know you appreciate that they chose your event.

Friendly volunteers, announcers, gate personnel, and show management all contribute to the overall experience. A welcoming atmosphere encourages exhibitors to return year after year.

Use Social Media to Build Excitement

Today's exhibitors love sharing their horse show experiences online. Capture photos and short videos throughout the day. Record class highlights, candid moments, award presentations, exhibitor interviews, costume classes, behind-the-scenes activities, and sponsor spotlights.

Posting reels and videos during and after the event helps create excitement, provides valuable exposure for sponsors, and gives exhibitors content they can share with family and friends. These posts also serve as powerful marketing tools for next year's event. Consider creating a unique event hashtag and encouraging exhibitors to use it when posting.

Get Creative and Try Something New

Some of the most memorable horse show traditions started because someone was willing to try a new idea.

Consider adding:

• Horse Show Bingo
• Barn decorating contests
• Exhibitor costume challenges
• Sportsmanship awards
• Judge's Choice awards
• Team competitions
• Mystery classes announced during the show
• Photo scavenger hunts
• Sponsor challenge games

Not every idea will be a hit, but exhibitors appreciate organizers who continually look for ways to improve the experience.

Plan for Next Year Before This Year Ends

One of the easiest ways to encourage repeat attendance is to have next year's date available before exhibitors leave the grounds. Include the date in awards presentations, social media posts, announcements, and show programs. Many families plan their show schedules months in advance, and having the date available allows them to immediately add your event to their calendar.

The Bottom Line

The most successful horse shows focus on more than just what happens in the ring. Activities, social events, meaningful prizes, sponsor involvement, social media engagement, and a welcoming atmosphere all contribute to an experience exhibitors will remember.

When participants leave feeling appreciated, entertained, and valued, they're far more likely to return, and bring their friends with them.

Join the Conversation

Do you have thoughts on how to improve the horse show experience? Join the TurnoutHQ Community and share!

Sources

Dr. Amy Wertenberger