Are Hunter Jumper Shows Only for the Rich? Embarking on a Hunter Jumper Show Adventure

Welcome to the captivating world of equestrian sports, where grace, precision, and adrenaline intertwine to create a mesmerizing spectacle for the elite or uber-rich. This would be the Hunter Jumper horse show. As a spectator, stepping into the hallowed grounds of this prestigious event is an experience of what it’s like to be included, so to speak. But my goal is not to be included ‘in the club’ so to speak, but to get some really cool pictures of two things I love. Horses and horse shows. Being up close and witnessing the show and everything that goes on at an A-Rated show is eye-opening, to say the least. And I thought I would give you a glimpse into the horse show world from a spectator’s point of view.

The thundering hooves, the impeccable jumps, and the harmonious connection between horse and equestrian all come together in a symphony of talent and dedication. It is definitely awe-inspiring. Well, it is to me. Maybe I’m odd or strange, but I really enjoy going to these summer shows every year and trying to capture some of the moments with my camera.

And with the summer series coming to an end for 2023, I had to make sure to get out to the Colorado Horse Park and take some more pictures, just one more time. I have made a diligent effort to get to as many shows as I can this year. The last one was the 4th show in the series.

A Hunter Jumper Show Adventure

If this is your first time visiting my little website, welcome! One of my favorite things to share is the fancy A-Rated shows from the horse park that I am lucky enough to live close to. The Colorado Horse Park hosts a series of summer shows put on by the Langer Equestrian Group every year. And every summer, I head out to the park with my trusty camera, trying to find ‘something’ to take a picture of.

Who am I kidding? I have NO problem finding horse-related things to take pictures of! Whether it’s a close-up of a horse and the bit he has in his mouth or even just a horse jump. I can always find hundreds of things to take photos of.

The International Jumper Ring

This is the ring or arena where the most exciting classes (in my opinion) take place in. This is the arena with the bigger jumps, and the professional riders. But they also have jumper classes in this arena for the rest of us. Or I should say, the rest of us amateur riders.

In this photo, I’m trying to show the size of this arena. It’s HUGE! And typically, I always wander over to the grassy berm in order to take photos. But this day, I was running late to the show because I was working on my own arena (more on that later). And while the horse show schedule said the Grand Prix Jumping would take place after the lead line class at 2:30 PM, by the time I arrived on the show grounds at 2:35 PM, the Grand Prix was already underway. Bummer.

But this was a great spot to be at. I think I have gone here once before. Maybe? I can’t remember. I have been to so many of these shows. And I usually always find my place on the berm and go there. Must be a habit. But due to my lack of planning, today was different.

But this was a really great place to sit. I was right along the fence line. I could actually hear the riders as they got their horses set up for a 3 part jump. It was awesome.

As always, there were some fantastic horse and rider duos. And yes, Bjorn Ikast was here too.

He is so impressive to watch. His riding style is pretty incredible, again, in my opinion. He only had one horse in this class, however. And for the first time in this series, he didn’t come in first, second, or third.

The Last Grand Prix of the Summer

And for the first time, I think ever, there wasn’t a jump-off for the class. Nope. Only one rider had a clear round. I have never seen that at one of these shows. This must have been a really technical course to ride. Or maybe it was because the class was in the middle of the afternoon when the temperature was at its hottest of the day? Whatever the reason, there was only one rider who went clear.

Saree Gordon-Solanki was the winner, and like I said before, the only clear round for this class. The one thing that I love about her is she is always smiling! When I came home and looked through the photos I took, she was always smiling. How cool is this?

She had 2 horses that she rode in the class. But sadly, I only got to watch her second ride because I was late. But even so, she still took home $35,000 for her placings in the class. Not too shabby for an afternoon of riding.

Looking at the Details

And while I love the fast pace of the Grand Prix classes, I also really love finding the little details to take pictures of. Like the braided manes of the jumpers. Not nearly as fancy as the hunters, but they’re still pretty.

I know, I know, the Hunter division is a class all its own. And while they are beautiful and very well appointed, my heart is in the jumper ring. There is just something so incredible with the fast pace and very technical lay out of the course. Every jumper course is different and tests the ability of both horse and rider.

I love looking at the gear the horses are wearing. Like the bridles. I love looking at the leather. Even the bit converter’s in this photo. That is pretty fancy how it’s 2 smaller loops of leather that can be adjusted, and then there is the ring for the reins to attach to.

And holy cow, the shine of the horses. Oh my goodness, they were all so shiny! And this wasn’t a Showsheen shine.

This was a deep shine, like a bloom from the inside out. This kind of shine doesn’t come from a quick grooming and then blasting the coat with a shine spray. Nope. This shine comes from the incredible care and thoughtfulness of the team that’s caring for the animal.

Very cool indeed.

What It’s Like at a Rated Hunter Jumper Show

And while the horses are beautiful, and the show grounds are impeccably kept, honestly, I was disappointed in the people. Maybe it’s just me. But there seemed to be an air of the ultra-rich at this series of horse shows. Kind of like they were too good to talk to regular people like me.

For example, the viewing spot that I chose for this show. For me, it worked out really well. I had a very cool spot indeed, to capture horses flying over jumps.

And apparently, one of the show photographers realized this about halfway through the class and came over to where I was sitting and stood right in front of me. Then he kept looking at me as if I had no right to be where I was. Seriously? Are you kidding me? What the heck?

I was like, whatever dude. I have just as much right to be here as you do. And yeah, you have a fancier camera and a fancier lens on that fancier camera. So I’m sure your photos will be amazing. But who gives a crap? I have just as much right to sit here or be here, for that matter, as you do.

So as far as I’m concerned, you can suck it.

I don’t understand why there has to be that mentality at the bigger shows. Or at least it seems like the bigger shows here at the Horse Park. Sure, the people coming here have loads of money. It’s obvious in how they set up their ‘show barns’.

But that doesn’t mean that people without the designer riding gear or horses are less deserving and shouldn’t be at the show, even if it’s just as a spectator. The not-so-rich people love horses and visiting horse shows too.

I don’t know, and maybe I’m being too sensitive. But I don’t think so. In the past, the other people that were spectating with me were very friendly. Even the Olympic riders that have been at the show. But then, when the horse park got new owners, things changed. And I was hoping that with the change in ownership again, maybe things would get back to how they used to be. But it doesn’t seem like it did.

Even the ‘berm’ seating is reserved. No place for the regular people, I guess. If you want to be fancy, this is where you go. It wouldn’t surprise me if they started charging admission to get onto the grounds soon. Oh well. I guess there will always be a classification system at the larger horse shows. And if you want to be a part of the club, you have to pay to play.

If this is not the intent of the owners of the park, then maybe they should make it clear that everyone is welcome. Meaning they are happy to have people visit the park who aren’t showing. Maybe add some signage for the spectators as well? I don’t know, I’m just thinking like a visitor, or an outsider I guess.

A Hunter Jumper Show Adventure

While this wasn’t really the happy fun time it has been in the past, it was still a pretty amazing horse show to be able to visit. And as long as they aren’t charging admission and don’t tell me I can’t take pictures, I will still go to the horse show. It may not be the same as it has been in years past, but it’s still fun to get out and see what’s going on in the horse show world. Even if the snobs are there.

We will see what the Fall Show Series has to offer at the Horse Park. I think I am more curious about the people at this point. The Autumn in the Rockies show takes place from September 6 through September 17, 2023. I will be there and will report back how many nice people I can find. This might be challenging….stay tuned!