Welcome to the Horse Show – Colorado Spring Classic

I’m so excited—horse show season is back at the Colorado Horse Park! While I missed the opening Preview show, I was able to attend yesterday and captured some great moments to share with you.

Welcome to the Horse Show!

In case you are not familiar with this series of horse shows, let me give you a little background. The Colorado Horse Park is an incredible venue for horse shows located in Parker, Colorado. And every summer, the Langer Equestrian Group puts on a spectacular event that begins in mid May and continues through July.

I am lucky enough to live about 20 minutes away from the horse park. And perhaps I am even luckier because I have a very dear friend who shares my passion for horses, as well as spectating at horse shows.

We try to get to the show almost every Saturday while they are going on. And this show was a little more special than most, because I learned that one of my favorite riders, Bjorn Ikast would be riding in the Grand Prix. And while I had a LOT to be doing at home, there was no way I was going to miss watching Bjorn ride.

Bjorn Ikast

Lynda and I have been watching Bjorn at the Horse Park for years. And in 2023 he was injured, and stepped away from showing to recover.

I remember watching him walk a course at the Horse Park during the Summer in the Rockies series, and he was supposed to have 3 or 4 horses in the Grand Prix class. But he didn’t show at all. That was puzzling.

Then he wasn’t at any of the remaining shows that summer. And then last year, he wasn’t in any of those shows either. I had been following him on Instagram, and he said that he had an accident, but was recovering well, and would be back to showing soon. I am glad he was ok.

You can always tell Bjorn, and his horses by the way they present themselves in the arena. They are always paying attention to Bjorn, and their flatwork is gorgeous.

So I was very excited to see he was back, and he was entered into this class. I love how his horses are always impeccably groomed, just beautiful!

I am always motivated to rush home and groom my horses after seeing how gorgeous all of the horses are really.

Looking at the Details – Welcome to the Horse Show

One of the reasons I love to take pictures at shows is to pay attention to the little details. I love seeing what riders are using, regarding their tack. As well as what the latest horse show fashion might be.

I am always in awe of how perfect the tack looks. I am hard pressed to find any flaws in the turnout of both horse and rider.

I also love to look at the bits and bridles.

There were a few horses in this class that had the tiny blinkers (or blinders as they are sometimes called) on their bridles. This surprised me.

I had a pair of these Dy’On Leather Blinkers at one time, and they are supposed to help horses stay focused, and not pay attention to things going on around them. If I remember correctly, I paid $25 for them. But as everything has gone up in price, now these run about $40

I remember seeing them years ago on maybe one horse at every other show. But there were 4 or 5 horses just in this class that were using them. Interesting.

Welcome to the Horse Show!

There were so many incredibly gifted equestrians just in this one class.

And it was so much fun to be back at the Horse Park with Lynda, thinking about all of the upcoming shows. Seeing some new riders, and of course our local favorites.

I will have many more photos that I want to share. So I guess it’s like I’m taking you with me to the show!

If you love learning about the world of A Rated Hunter/Jumper shows, be sure to sign up with your email! And get ready for the Summer horse shows made possible by Langer Equestrian Group!

Happy Horse Show Season!