This September, Solihull will host an event for The Friendly Showing Society. The society, which was created by Alex Osborn and Craig McClelland, launched in January with the aim of trying to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels like they can participate, whether they are a grassroots competitor or a professional. The first event is taking place on the 6th of September at the Solihull Riding Club.
A Spike of Interest in Equestrian Sports
The launch of this event is part of a much bigger resurgence. Equestrian sports as a whole are on the rise, with Netflix launching the Race for the Crown series. This shows human stories, but at the same time, features some of the best jockeys in the business, allowing fans to gain valuable insight into the sport and everything it offers.
VR riding videos on YouTube also allow people to feel as though they are part of the sport, and give people the chance to connect on a deeper level. Those who play Big Bass Return to the Races will also notice how the franchise has expanded with a horse-racing theme, showing how widespread the sport is. By featuring horses, paddocks, and racetracks, even people who have never watched the sport before can feel as though they are part of it.
Examples like this show how far equestrian sports have come, and now, with the first championship taking place at the Solihull Riding Club, it seems that the sport is becoming prevalent on an even more local level. Alex Osborn has come out to say that welfare and safety are top priorities, but it is a fun event that welcomes people from across the UK. Anyone who has an interest in horse showing is welcome, and with the area attracting both country-level and riding club competitors, it’s no surprise to see that Solihull has been chosen to host the event. If you plan to partake, the Horse and Rider website has information that could help.
80 Officials Form the Judges Panel
The new society has built a judges’ panel, which consists of over 80 officials. These have all been selected for their expertise, as well as their understanding of the sport and what it entails. Judges have been asked to give positive yet constructive feedback while asked, and traditional markers are going to be used to assess riders and their performance.
This includes the traditional judging markers of conformation and performance. Horse Magazine explains more about the two elements. With that said, as this event is fun and welcoming, competitors are not going to be penalised if they do not have the right footwear. Although this is the case for full competitions, the new event is set to be more inclusive of those who may not have professional gear. If the event goes well, it could also open the doors to even more events in the future. The relaxed event could also help bring more people into the sport.
The panel is also working with other organizations across the UK to make sure that everyone can still attend some of the other riding and showing events that take place, which should help to attract bigger names.
Article written by Ben Spencer.
