How to Organise a Hobby Horse Competition

A competition is an event with results, so fairness and clarity carry the day. Venue, volunteers and timings are covered in running a hobby horse event; this guide focuses on the competition itself.

Class structure

Split by age group first, then by level. A typical day might run:

• Lead rein / first-timers
• Under 10, Under 13, Under 16, Adult
• Novice, Intermediate, Open

Keep class sizes manageable. Two smaller classes run faster than one large one and produce more happy riders. To see how existing UK organisers set their classes, age groups and heights, read our guide to hobby horse competition rules and classes.

Judging

Book judges who know the discipline and brief them on your rules before the first rider. Use the same judge for a whole class wherever possible — consistency matters more than credentials.

For jumping, agree in advance how you handle knockdowns, refusals, falls and time faults. For dressage, publish the test and the mark sheet; how to create a dressage test walks through writing one.

Scoring

Use a simple, checkable system: one scorer entering marks, one person double-checking totals. Announce placings only once totals are confirmed. Publish scores, not just placings — riders learn from marks.

Ties

Decide the tie-break rule beforehand: collective marks in dressage, time in jumping. Announce it in the schedule.

Prize-giving

Rosette every rider in a beginner class if you can. Place the rest to sixth. Keep the ceremony short, name every rider clearly, and take a group photograph with permission.

Appeals and conduct

Write two lines into the schedule: how a query is raised, and who decides. Almost all disputes are cleared up by a calm conversation at the entries desk.

After the show

Publish results, keep your score sheets for a season, and note class sizes so you can plan next year's timetable properly.