Horse Show - Awards

Awards

Prize money is sometimes awarded, particularly at larger competitions. The sum varies by the placing of the rider, the prestige of the show, and the difficulty of the class. Horse Shows do not offer cash purses as large as those the Thoroughbred racing industry, though a few of the biggest show jumping, cutting and reining competitions may offer purse money into the low five figures. However, most show horses in the United States, especially those at the amateur levels, rarely win significant cash prizes during their show career. At best, a solid competitor might break even on entry fees and, if they are quite lucky, cover some travel expenses. Most money made from showing horses is indirectly earned by breeding fees paid for top horses, the sale of their offspring, or from the training fees paid to top trainers.

Trophies are usually awarded to the first place horse in a class, depending on the size of the show. In a championship event, trophies may be awarded to both the champion and the reserve champion, and at a national or international show, trophies are sometimes given to the top five to ten competitors.

Medals are given at international events such as the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics. Usually only three medals, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, are awarded to the top three individuals or teams.

Ribbons are often given for the top placings in a class. Often ribbons are given through the top six place entries, although some of the larger shows may award ribbons to the top ten. Ribbon color varies from country to country, as shown in the following chart:

Prize Ribbon Colors
	Austr- alia	Canada	Czech Republic	Nether- lands	New Zealand	Norway	Sweden	U.K.	United States	Olympics (medals)
1st	blue	red	yellow	orange	red	red blue white	blue, yellow	red	blue	gold	1st
2nd	red	blue	white	red	blue	red	blue	blue	red	silver	2nd
3rd	white	white	red	white	yellow	blue	yellow	yellow	yellow	bronze	3rd
4th	green	yellow	blue	blue	green	green	red	green	white	blue	4th
5th	yellow	green	green	green	pink	yellow	green	pink	pink	red	5th
6th	brown	pink	violet	pink	purple		white	purple	green	green	6th
7th		purple	any other					pale green	purple	orange	7th
8th		brown						tan	brown	violet	8th
9th		orange						brown	gray		9th
10th		mauve						gray	lt. blue		10th

Ch.	blue, red, white	red, blue, white		red, white, blue	dark purple, light purple				blue, red, and yellow or solid purple		Ch.
Res. Ch.		blue, white, yellow							red, yellow, and white or solid lavender		Res. Ch.

Champion & Reserve Champion ribbons are commonly called Tri-colors. They are usually a combination of the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place colors (2nd, 3rd, & 4th for Reserve Champion).