Does anyone show at American Ranch Horse Association Shows? Do I have to be a member to show?
The Ranch Horse Association of Michigan (www.miranchhorse.com) is growing very quickly! I started showing with them last year and it’s grown by leaps and bounds. The reason I like to show RHAM is because it is NOT based on how much money you have. You actually get penalized for having too much silver on your tack, and attire simply consists of jeans and a western style shirt. Some people also wear working chinks or cutting chanps. You don’t have to be a member to show in the open classes, which are pricesd really cheap – just $5 if you pre-enter. If you want ot complete for points however, you do need to be a member and register your horse.
I bought an untrained horse 3 years ago and have worked really hard to get him where he is today. I think the judging is very fair and goes by how well you work with your horse and how versatile he is. I hope you come show with us!
It amazes me how many people are on the internet yet obviously fail to surf before asking. The website for this association is: http://www.americanranchhorse.net/ Check it out there. I live in Michigan. Last year one of the fastest growing areas of this Association was Michigan. I am not a show-lover. There have been many times I’ve worked my rear off to get good at something only to have a competitor go buy a perfectly trained horse, step up on it and beat me simply because they have the money to do so. Horse showing is not so much about what a person can do with their horse – it’s gotten to be more about how much a person can afford to spend more times than not. In speaking with some judges, I’ve also heard straight from the ‘horse’s mouth’ (the judge themselves) about why they make certain judgements. When one judge will say they chose this horse or that one because the rider’s costume was prettier, it’s become a beauty
