Ringmaster (horse show)
Encyclopedia
A horse show
ringmaster, sometimes also called a ring steward, is an individual who works in the center of an arena at a horse show and carries out many duties to assist the judge and other officials. Unlike a Horse show steward
or the judge, the ringmaster is not a licensed official of the show. At the biggest shows, the ringmaster may be a paid employee of the show, but at smaller shows is apt to be a volunteer.
In a few competitions, usually national championships or other shows of national importance, the ringmaster may be colorfully attired in a manner similar to the ringmastger of a circus
or the bugler at a horse race
. In such cases, this official wears a top hat (or hunting cap for hunting and jumping classes), white jodhpurs
, and scarlet ("pink
") guard coat. More commonly, at ordinary horse shows, the ringmaster will simply wear neat clothing and comfortable shoes, similar to the attire of the judge.
Rarer still, is the practice of having the ringmaster summon each class of exhibitors and horses, usually by blowing a trumpet, fox horn, or carriage or coach horn. More commonly, the show announcer simply performs the task, simply calling each class by number and title over the public address system.
The duties and responsibilities of a ringmaster of a horse show varies by discipline and geographical region. These can include:
In Tennessee, the ringmaster has a legal duty under cruelty to animals statutes to disqualify and report to authorities certain animal abuses.
Some notable individuals who have served long careers as ringmasters in the United States include Dutch White, Honey Craven
, Vincent Wholey, and Paul Copanas.
Horse show
A Horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and...
ringmaster, sometimes also called a ring steward, is an individual who works in the center of an arena at a horse show and carries out many duties to assist the judge and other officials. Unlike a Horse show steward
Horse show steward
A Horse show steward sometimes also called a rules steward or licensed steward, is a licensed official at a horse show tasked with the responsibility of interpreting and enforcing the rules of the organization that sanctions the horse show...
or the judge, the ringmaster is not a licensed official of the show. At the biggest shows, the ringmaster may be a paid employee of the show, but at smaller shows is apt to be a volunteer.
In a few competitions, usually national championships or other shows of national importance, the ringmaster may be colorfully attired in a manner similar to the ringmastger of a circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
or the bugler at a horse race
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. In such cases, this official wears a top hat (or hunting cap for hunting and jumping classes), white jodhpurs
Jodhpurs
Jodhpurs in their modern form are tight-fitting trousers that reach to the ankle, where they end in a snug cuff, and are worn primarily for horse riding. The term is also used incorrectly as slang for a type of short riding boot, also called a paddock boot or a jodhpur boot, because they are worn...
, and scarlet ("pink
Pink
Pink is a mixture of red and white. Commonly used for Valentine's Day and Easter, pink is sometimes referred to as "the color of love." The use of the word for the color known today as pink was first recorded in the late 17th century....
") guard coat. More commonly, at ordinary horse shows, the ringmaster will simply wear neat clothing and comfortable shoes, similar to the attire of the judge.
Rarer still, is the practice of having the ringmaster summon each class of exhibitors and horses, usually by blowing a trumpet, fox horn, or carriage or coach horn. More commonly, the show announcer simply performs the task, simply calling each class by number and title over the public address system.
The duties and responsibilities of a ringmaster of a horse show varies by discipline and geographical region. These can include:
- summoning the class;
- keeping the show running smoothly and listening to the judge. The ringmaster does not help to judge the class in any way;
- policing the ring by being alert to safety issues and watching the horses, riders or drivers;
- passing communications from the judge to the announcer to call for specific gaits in a class, for the line up, etc.;
- transmitting the judges' cards to the scorers or the announcer;
- acting as a scribe (trail or reining usually);
- restraining an unruly horse (they should be physically able horsemen), helping a rider or driver that is in trouble, etc.;
- serving as a timer when a shoe has been thrown during a class and a specified time is allowed to find and have the farrierFarrierA farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses' hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves...
replace the shoe; - working with ring crew for each class set up;
- pinning ribbons or distributing ribbons to winners;
- supporting the steward(s) in identifying questionable equipment and attire.
In Tennessee, the ringmaster has a legal duty under cruelty to animals statutes to disqualify and report to authorities certain animal abuses.
Some notable individuals who have served long careers as ringmasters in the United States include Dutch White, Honey Craven
Honey Craven
Clarence Leo "Honey" Craven , was an equestrian, ringmaster and manager of the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, the Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania, and ringmaster at nearly every prominent horse show in the United States...
, Vincent Wholey, and Paul Copanas.