A Thank You To Horse Show Prize Committees
The prizes you choose become the memories they cherish.
To every horse show prize committee out there, thank you.
It takes time, energy, and resources to choose prizes that will mean something to riders. It would be easy to just hand out a standard ribbon or a generic trophy and call it a day, but so many of you go above and beyond to pick awards that kids will cherish. You think about what will make them smile, what they’ll be excited to take home, and what will make their achievements feel even more special. What you may not always see is how much these prizes mean to them beyond the show arena.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
A perfect example of this happened recently with my neice Kamille. At her last show, she won a cup with a picture of her and her horse competing. She was thrilled —not just because she had won, but because the prize itself was something she could use and show off. While other kids at school were bringing their trendy Stanley cups, Kamille proudly carried her Northern Ohio Outlaws trophy cup. To her, it was even better than the popular brand everyone else had.
But what happened next was something she hadn’t expected. Her classmates noticed her cup. They started asking questions. “Is that you? That’s so cool! Do you have a horse?” Suddenly, Kamille had a conversation starter. Kids who might not have ever talked to her before were curious about her and her horse. That simple prize, which had started as a fun award at a horse show, became a way for her to connect with her peers.
This is the power of the prizes you choose. They are not just something to hand out at the end of a class or a show. They become part of these kids’ daily lives. They take them to school, to sports practice, to sleepovers. They become reminders of what they’ve accomplished and, in some cases, a way to share their love of horses with people outside the equestrian world.
Sometimes, we don’t realize how difficult it can be for kids to find common ground with others their age. Horseback riding is not a mainstream sport at most schools. While kids who play soccer or basketball can easily relate to their classmates about weekend games or tournaments, equestrian kids don’t always have the same built-in connections. Their experiences — waking up early for a show, spending hours in the barn, working through challenges with their horses — aren’t things most of their classmates understand.
But when they have something tangible, like a prize that stands out, it becomes a bridge. It gives them an opportunity to talk about what they love in a way that sparks interest in others. Instead of feeling like the “horse kid” no one quite understands, they get to feel proud of what makes them different.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
None of this would be possible without the people behind the prizes. The committees that take the time to think beyond the basic awards and choose items that kids will truly treasure are doing more than just handing out prizes. They are helping to shape memories and experiences that extend far beyond the show ring.
It is easy to overlook just how much thought and effort goes into this process. Finding and ordering the right prizes takes time. Ensuring there is something meaningful for every level, every age group, and every type of rider requires planning and dedication. It is not something that just happens; it is something that people make happen because they care.
So, to every prize committee, from the smallest local show to the biggest competitions, thank you. Thank you for putting in the effort to make sure the kids walk away with something they are proud of. Thank you for understanding that a great prize is not only about rewarding success in the ring, but also about giving kids something that will remind them of their accomplishments long after the show is over.
Kamille’s cup was not just a cup. It was a confidence booster. It was an icebreaker. It was something that made her feel proud, even when she was far from the barn or the arena.
What you do matters. More than you know.
