Fallowfield Stables

Fallowfield Stables specializes in training riders for competition in hunters, jumpers and dressage at the local and regional levels.  We also have high school and middle school riders that compete in hunt seat equitation as the Mon Valley Equestrian Team.  Most of the hunter/jumper shows we attend are located in southwestern Pennsylvania, whereas most of the dressage shows are in southeastern Ohio.  Below you'll find advice on what to expect at a show, proper show attire, classes offered and approximate costs.  If you have any additional questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Hunt seat horse shows provide a way to showcase the ideal horse for the foxhunting field.  Show hunters should be calm, smooth and easy to ride, with long strided movement and a smooth, balanced jumping style.  Riders can start out trotting over low fences in the Walk/Trot division and move forward through cantering low courses in Short Stirrup, before jumping higher fence heights in the Intermediate, Children's or Junior Hunter divisions (2'6", 3', and 3'6", respectively). 

Dressage horse shows ask riders to demonstrate their connection with their horse and their level of control.  At a competition, riders perform dressage tests, or choreographed rides in a large arena.  Riders can begin walk/trot test at the Intro level and work their way up through Training Level, First, Second and so forth.  Dressage tests are akin to ballet on horseback and are beautiful to watch.

 Jumper competition is based on a rider's ability to negotiate a complicated pattern of jumps as quickly as possible.  Jumpers incur penalties for knocking down rails or obstacles, going too slow, and having their horse refuse to jump.  Because of the skill level necessary for jumper classes, fence heights are higher, ranging from 2'6" for less experienced riders to 6' at the international level. 

Proper Show Attire

For Hunters

Rider:

• Black helmet (we prefer either IRH ATH, GPA Titium or Troxel Grand Prix)
• Navy, dark grey, brown or hunter green hunt coat (Navy must be warn when showing in equitation classes, so all team members must wear navy)
• Light colored, long sleeved ratcatcher riding shirt (White must be warn when showing in equitation, so all team members must have a white shirt)
• Khaki or tan side-zip breeches for riders over the age of 12, khaki or tan front zip jodphurs for riders under 12
• Brown or black belt
• Black riding gloves
• Tall black field boots for riders over 12, brown paddock boots for riders 12 and under
• Brown garter straps for riders wearing jodphurs

Horse:

• Brown colored bridle, saddle and girth
• White shaped saddle pad
• Snaffle or pelham bit
• No jumping boots, leg wraps or bell boots (Can be used for warm-up only)
• Standing martingale if needed

Dressage

Rider:

• Black velvet helmet
• Black 4 button dressage coat
• White long sleeved rat catcher riding shirt with stock tie
• Black belt
• White or light tan colored breeches
• Tall black dress boots
• Dressage whip

 Horse:

• Black saddle, bridle and girth
• Square white saddle pad with no designs or logos
• Loose ring or eggbutt snaffle bit
• No leg wraps or boots
• No martigales or breastplates

Jumpers

Rider:

• Same as hunters

Horse:

• Brown saddle, bridle and girth
• Square, white saddle pad (May have logos/designs with Olivia's approval)
• Open front jumping boots, hind ankle boots and bell boots
• Running martingale if needed