Our Show Team competes locally in a variety of disciplines including both mounted and unmounted classes. We're very lucky to have a variety of showing opportunities located on and around our farm throughout the year. An invitation to our Show Team is extended to Synergy Riding Academy members once they have achieved a minimum of their Level 1.
Upon completion of their Level 1, the equestrian is eligible to compete in onsite horse shows. These horse shows provide an on property experience exclusive to students within our program. They mimic offsite horse show conditions in an environment where the student is comfortable prior to showing offsite. Depending on the equestrian's lesson package selected, once a student achieves their Level 4 they are eligible to compete offsite. Attending and competing in horse shows is first and foremost fun, but also provides a unique atmosphere which is beneficial to the constantly improving equestrian.
Horse Shows give students the opportunity to:
Further Horsemanship Skills
Showing isn't about winning ribbons, it's about continuous self improvement. The student must be aware of their surroundings but hone their focus in on themselves and their horse, where their only competition is themselves. As student's show, we obtain action items for skills to develop during weekly lessons. Throughout the show season, their hard work begins to pay off as they not only gain a deeper understanding about what riding means to them but also critical skills in and out of the saddle.
Set Goals
Participating in an entire schooling series encourages goal setting skills as a series has a definitive beginning and end. At the beginning of the summer show season, each student puts together SMART goals for the duration of the series. Goal setting increases each student's direction, focus, productivity, and motivation within the sport. This allows the student to transform their habits as they create a positive mindset and build confidence. These skills not only apply to the equestrian world, but also develops life skills for students of all ages.
Build Positive Character Traits
Horse shows support personal growth and development as student's go off property and out of their comfort zones. Problem solving and organizational skills are developed as quite a few hours of preparation work go into hauling a horse off property to show physically, emotionally, and mentally. Students must check and clean their tack, learn to plan ahead by packing all the necessary and emergency items for both student and horse, and help perform a safety precheck on the truck and horse trailer before even leaving the barn. While immersed in the horse show environment, student's learn how to sign up for classes, prepare for their classes, manage their time between classes, adapt to any changes at the show, and manage any nervousness in order to be the calm, consistent, confident, and clear leader their mount requires.
Get Feedback
Shows offer instant feedback from outside sources to help student's understand their strengths and areas of improvement. After rail classes and jumping rounds we are able to discuss glows (strengths) and grows (areas that require improvement) to work on during weekly lessons. After riding Dressage tests, the judge's comments on the score sheet afterwards help support the student's learning efforts by targeting specific movements to work on.
Explore the Equestrian World
Most local shows are multidisciplinary which gives student's the opportunity to see different tack, breeds/sizes of horses, and explore a variety of disciplines. Students are able to see disciplines such as hunter, jumper, equitation, ranch, pleasure, games, or even specific divisions for gaited horses, donkeys, or mules all in one location. It also gives students the opportunity to learn by watching others and asking questions as they interact with fellow equestrians and their horses at various stages of training.
Meet New Equestrians in the Community
Showing builds sportsmanship skills and gives rider's a glimpse at how others equestrians train. It also encourages networking in the community as students build relationships with other local members of the equine community. Sportsmanship in the equestrian world looks like being considerate of others in the warm up ring, treating horses with the kindness and respect they deserve win or lose, or being a positive role model for younger equine enthusiasts.
Upon completion of their Level 1, the equestrian is eligible to compete in onsite horse shows. These horse shows provide an on property experience exclusive to students within our program. They mimic offsite horse show conditions in an environment where the student is comfortable prior to showing offsite. Depending on the equestrian's lesson package selected, once a student achieves their Level 4 they are eligible to compete offsite. Attending and competing in horse shows is first and foremost fun, but also provides a unique atmosphere which is beneficial to the constantly improving equestrian.
Horse Shows give students the opportunity to:
Further Horsemanship Skills
Showing isn't about winning ribbons, it's about continuous self improvement. The student must be aware of their surroundings but hone their focus in on themselves and their horse, where their only competition is themselves. As student's show, we obtain action items for skills to develop during weekly lessons. Throughout the show season, their hard work begins to pay off as they not only gain a deeper understanding about what riding means to them but also critical skills in and out of the saddle.
Set Goals
Participating in an entire schooling series encourages goal setting skills as a series has a definitive beginning and end. At the beginning of the summer show season, each student puts together SMART goals for the duration of the series. Goal setting increases each student's direction, focus, productivity, and motivation within the sport. This allows the student to transform their habits as they create a positive mindset and build confidence. These skills not only apply to the equestrian world, but also develops life skills for students of all ages.
Build Positive Character Traits
Horse shows support personal growth and development as student's go off property and out of their comfort zones. Problem solving and organizational skills are developed as quite a few hours of preparation work go into hauling a horse off property to show physically, emotionally, and mentally. Students must check and clean their tack, learn to plan ahead by packing all the necessary and emergency items for both student and horse, and help perform a safety precheck on the truck and horse trailer before even leaving the barn. While immersed in the horse show environment, student's learn how to sign up for classes, prepare for their classes, manage their time between classes, adapt to any changes at the show, and manage any nervousness in order to be the calm, consistent, confident, and clear leader their mount requires.
Get Feedback
Shows offer instant feedback from outside sources to help student's understand their strengths and areas of improvement. After rail classes and jumping rounds we are able to discuss glows (strengths) and grows (areas that require improvement) to work on during weekly lessons. After riding Dressage tests, the judge's comments on the score sheet afterwards help support the student's learning efforts by targeting specific movements to work on.
Explore the Equestrian World
Most local shows are multidisciplinary which gives student's the opportunity to see different tack, breeds/sizes of horses, and explore a variety of disciplines. Students are able to see disciplines such as hunter, jumper, equitation, ranch, pleasure, games, or even specific divisions for gaited horses, donkeys, or mules all in one location. It also gives students the opportunity to learn by watching others and asking questions as they interact with fellow equestrians and their horses at various stages of training.
Meet New Equestrians in the Community
Showing builds sportsmanship skills and gives rider's a glimpse at how others equestrians train. It also encourages networking in the community as students build relationships with other local members of the equine community. Sportsmanship in the equestrian world looks like being considerate of others in the warm up ring, treating horses with the kindness and respect they deserve win or lose, or being a positive role model for younger equine enthusiasts.
There are unrated showing opportunities within a two (2) hour radius at the following venues throughout the year:
- Lincoln County Horseman's Association at the Ponderosa
English and Western schooling series that occurs on the first Saturdays of the month from April to October. - Walnut Creek Farm- Newton, NC
Hunter schooling series throughout the spring and summer months. - White Rose Equestrian Fun Shows- lron Station, NC
This schooling series geared towards young riders runs throughout the spring and summer months. - Thoroughbred Training Center- Mocksville, NC
A variety of showing opportunities year round from hunter/jumper to dressage. - Carolina Schooling Series- Tryon, NC area
A hunter/jumper and equitation series that runs from March to November at various venues around Tryon, NC.