Pinto shows vs. Mini breed shows

[ClickMini]

There happen to be some Pinto shows in our neck of the woods, and I am strongly considering going to some this year. I have my big "B" gelding, Sensation; my tiny "A" gelding, Alladdin; and my jr. "A" gelding, Cascadian, that I am considering registering.

If you have shown Pinto, tell me about it please. If you know of online links to tell me more, I'd appreciate it. What are the similarities and differences between the Pinto shows and the standard breed shows? Are they shown with the same kinds of halters, or stock type? Do they razor the faces/clip the same way? People dress?

I have heard the shows are fun, and it appears there are numerous ones around here. Just wouldn't want to show up and be totally out of place!

Thanks!

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

I have some pinto registered horses and show at the shows occasionally. The only really big difference is the cost, pinto is very expensive to show at. In our area we also dont have very many classes available since there isnt a whole lot of active mini pinto people around here. We do have a lot of fun at the shows but for us it is not as worth it as a normal mini show. The same halters are used, arabian style for halter, western for performance and showmanship. There are also no divisions for driving classes all the types drive together. Also if you are in an area where there isnt a lot of mini pintos showing they will combine the A and B divisions as well. I think more people are starting to show pinto though, there were a few different minis at the last pinto show I went to. I think it would be worth it to at least try, especially if there are more entries for your area. Hope this helps.

 

[sedeh]

I show Pinto in the Northwest and love it!! I'm surprized that Maple Hollow thought the shows were expensive. I've found our class prices to be less than the AMHA shows....and more judges! Pinto shows have A and B divisions but don't have classes for all the different height groups like AMHA/AMHR does. You're either an A or a B. Sometimes they have a seperate class for 2 and under in halter. Otherwise they're seperated by mare, gelding and stallion. The 6 judge shows I attend generally have good size classes. The smaller shows will often have to combine classes to make it a points class. Cascade Pinto is a club in Washington their website is www.cascadepinto.com Our Southern Oregon club is actually going in with their club to have a Jubillee show in August at Spanaway. Typically we don't razor our horses...just use a close clipper blade. Occasionally "AMHA" people come show with us and they do razor and as far as I could see were never penalized for it(though I believe there's something in the rule book against hair being totally removed). As far as the performance classes go we have in-hand trail, jumping, hunter, and driving classes. There's Pleasure driving, disciplined rail, ideal, roadster, and obstacle plus reinsmanship for ammy's. We don't have all the differentiated pleasure classes. Most have pretty nice Hi-pt awards for the shows. National Pinto also has a really nice way of recognizing your achievements as you progress! I've made so many friends showing in Pinto...we just have a great time. Hopefully I'll see you at some of our shows!

Edited to add....the other fun thing about Pinto is there's all types of horses there! Some of the Ammy classes have all the breed types..and it's pretty fun when the mini people win showmanship and reinsmanship classes!

 

[jah97071]

We show pinto here in Oregon although we have done the shows in Washington too. In Oregon the mini classes have enough entries that the As and Bs don't have to be combined at all. I know in Washington the As and Bs have to be combined sometimes -- in fact, I think Western Washington Pinto only offer their performance classes as As and Bs together. In Oregon we offer halter, Trail in Hand, Obstacle Driving, Jumping in Hand, Hunter, pleasure driving, discipline rail driving, ideal pinto driving, roadster, and color. There is also amateur halter, reinsmanship, showmanhip and pleasure driving for minis/ponies. The shows offer highpoints specifically for the minis and are always really good.

PtHA has the best national awards program and give wonderful awards. You can earn different levels of awards in open, as an amateur or as a youth. Because the Pinto shows in the Northwest are big it makes it fairly easy to earn the national Pinto awards unlike other areas of the country. We have had several ponies earn their Supreme Championships and one mini earn his Supreme and his Superior (the two highest level awards on the national level). This year PtHA started a new program where you can get a payback on the number of ROM points you earn -- kind of like the Gelding Incentive offered by the NW Mini Club.

The way you show your mini in Pinto really does not differ much from the way you would show at a mini show. Western WA Pinto's website is www.pthaww.org and Oregon Pinto's website is www.oregonpinto.com. We always had a good time at the shows -- give it a try, I think you would like it.

 

[TyeeRanch]

I showed at a couple of pinto shows in the NW many years ago and had a blast. I have three that I can register and show pinto and have been thinking about it. Where can I find show schedules? We are planning our 2011 schedule and would like to see if we could make it to one.

 

[targetsmom]

I show Pinto in New England and LOVE the shows. The award structure is the best and the shows are fun. Several of our minis have their Open Pinto Championships and one has her Legion of Merit and working toward her Supreme. Our New England classes combine the A and B minis, and we also offer Amateur some Youth classes just for minis. One thing I didn't see mentioned is that the PtHA judges often have AMHA and/or AMHR cards so you are likely to see familiar faces if you show on those circuits. After one of our Pinto shows last year I got some of the BEST feedback concerning the new AMHA Classic Pleasure Driving class (go figure!). The four judges were all raving about Princess and saying she was exactly what they thought the ideal Classic Pleasure horse should look like - I just need to let her move out more.

There will also be several AMHA shows in New England that will offer PtHA pointed classes. That is another option for Clubs to consider.

Here is link to photos from our July show: http://www.photoreflect.com/store/thumbpage.aspx?e=6955462

We often get ADS drivers at out shows, using wooden wheeled carriages, but that is probably a local thing. And no one razors here.

 

[kaykay]

We showed a couple years ago and had a blast. Unfortunately there was only one other miniature showing and when they saw Tease they scratched

Fran went with a pony so they combined the mini/pony classes so we could at least get a point. (there was one other pony showing)

Although we had a great time and got some really good exposure for the minis and ponies, the cost really wasnt worth it since we didnt have hardly any competition.

The only issue we had was getting ours used to being around the big horses. They were pretty scared in the beginning. Heres a pic of me and Tease in the warm up ring trying to get her over her fear of big horses LOL

One of the Ohio pinto clubs just closed this year due to lack of members so they are kinda hurting around here. That club put on the show we attended and liked so much.

 

[Sandee]

I second MapleHollow and Kay. I'm in Wisconsin and the Pinto shows charge per judge so to go in ONE class might cost $60 or more. Of course they like to say "we have Play all Day fees". The trouble is there are only 2 or 3 class for minis so you still end up spending a fortune for very little time in the arena and for very little competition since very few minis come. They also don't have driving classes here and I'm sorry if I'm stepping on toes but I didn't get the feeling that minis were really welcome. I felt more like we were "tollerated" sort of like second class citizens or poor relatives! One of the problems of course arises from the fact that minis don't do well in a deep churned up arena which is what the big horses use. We present a "problem" to them and since so few minis show up there is no $$ incentive for them to try to cater to us.

 

[~Lisa~]

FOr me the issue was not so much the cost of the shows but more the cost of registering pinto just to play at a couple of shows if I have horses I want to school I take them to our local open circuit shows cost is 4-5 bucks a class

 

[Candi]

Coming from the INW - PtHA shows are great! TONS of participation in the mini and pony classes. The last PtHA show I went to there were 18 drivers!

Coming from a breed show standard (AQHA, APHA, etc) Pinto shows are CHEAP. Even @ our WSH Open circuit we pay $8/judge and most are dual/triple judged.

Friendly folks that welcome the minis and ponies. National level Pinto has the GREATEST awards! Hands-down - especially for the $$.

Showing... well as a judge - I do expect a more "breed show" appearance. Recommend looking at Hobby Horse to see the current trends for in-hand showing. Though a clean well-tailored jacket is always in style with pressed pants. Hats, well cowboy hat - or none.

Compared to the costs of the ASPC and AMHR shows in the INW - Pinto's CHEAP.

 

[Candi]

FOr me the issue was not so much the cost of the shows but more the cost of registering pinto just to play at a couple of shows if I have horses I want to school I take them to our local open circuit shows cost is 4-5 bucks a class

Of course. If you're after SCHOOLING - then use schooling shows. But, given the caliber of Pinto awards - why not actually try for points and a national level? After watching AMHR and AMHA nationals - I'd think that folks pinto-marked minis and ponies would WANT a venue with nicer/better awards for less $$.

And, if your area doesn't have Pinto shows- or they aren't "up-to-par" - then cattleprod them and get things moving! That's what we're having to do in E WA and N ID and W MT. While, as a full-time trainer and judge - I can't help "run" the shows - I can guarantee a show barn full of participation for incentive

 

[jah97071]

In Oregon Pinto, our shows have two shows that have 6 judges, one that has 8 eight judges, the state fair that has been a jubilee show and another show that I believe has 4 judges. They are all in Albany, Oregon except the 8 judge that is near Bend and the state fair in Salem. To go in a class with 6 judges is only $24 (its not a per judge class fee) so its actually cheaper than the AMHA and AMHR classes.

Its easy to register a mini pinto if it is already registered AMHA or AMHR and has visible color (I think like around $65). The other great thing about registering is you can show up at a pinto show and get registered right at the show and then show at that show.

The big horse people have had to learn to share the shows with the pony/mini people because a lot of the members showing ponies/minis are also active on the show committee. Other big horse people have bought ponies/minis to show with their big horses or traded in the big horse for the smaller version. Finally those showing big horses like the pony/mini classes because it helps split up their classes so the horses have a chance to rest between their classes.

 

[Minxiesmom]

Amy-you would be more than welcome at our pinto shows! Bring Leia with you! She can show one of yours. So far, I have only gone to the ones in Albany and So. Oregon, but this year Sandy (sedeh)and I are going to the Jubilee show in Spanaway also. Come on down to the Albany shows and stall and camp with us. We have a great time. We take our showing seriously, but we all help each other and love the competition. Oh, and by the way, WE wear hats in OUR driving classes! I have seen pictures of some cute ones you have worn! The "A" classes are going to be a little smaller this year because Sandy and I both will have "B"s instead.

 

[~Lisa~]

Of course. If you're after SCHOOLING - then use schooling shows. But, given the caliber of Pinto awards - why not actually try for points and a national level? After watching AMHR and AMHA nationals - I'd think that folks pinto-marked minis and ponies would WANT a venue with nicer/better awards for less $$.

And, if your area doesn't have Pinto shows- or they aren't "up-to-par" - then cattleprod them and get things moving! That's what we're having to do in E WA and N ID and W MT. While, as a full-time trainer and judge - I can't help "run" the shows - I can guarantee a show barn full of participation for incentive

I can only answer for myself.. I would not be going to Pinto Nationals which is pretty expensive when you include classes and stalls ect. So for me personally it is not worth the extra money-

For me going to a National show I would prefer a breed show but that is just me.

That said...

If I was in a area with more shows and more competition then yes it would make sense to perhaps register and show Pinto but for me personally I have not found it worth it just yet.

I do know many in other areas many compete in Pinto with lots of horses and tough competition and really enjoy it.

 

[Candi]

I can only answer for myself.. I would not be going to Pinto Nationals which is pretty expensive when you include classes and stalls ect. So for me personally it is not worth the extra money-

For me going to a National show I would prefer a breed show but that is just me.

That said...

If I was in a area with more shows and more competition then yes it would make sense to perhaps register and show Pinto but for me personally I have not found it worth it just yet.

I do know many in other areas many compete in Pinto with lots of horses and tough competition and really enjoy it.

Can't argue with any national level show being spendy. That being said. I have a new client that has shown ASPC/AMHR for years. Sold them off 2-3 years ago - got into Paints and thus Pintos.

She went to Nationals & Congress numerous times showing (halter and driving I *think*)... and has since gone to PtHA Worlds and APHA Worlds. She said while class and stall, etc costs were similar with APHA and minis/shetlands - that Pinto was SO much cheaper! When I saw what she'd budgeted fpr Pinto we joked asking her if she was bringing 10 horses! LOL!

When we plan on the "big" shows- regionals, futurities, Nationals, Words, etc... We also figure in greatly the awards, $$, etc. That is the MAIN reason we got "into" PtHA. The incredible $ spent on "giving back" to exhibitors.

Proverbial "bang for our buck" sorta thing

 

[Minimor]

Really? I've had a couple people tell me what the costs were for Pinto Worlds and at the time it was a LOT more money to show there than at AMHR Nationals. Stall fees were the killer at the time. Pinto fees were comparable to Morgan Worlds stall fees, which were much higher than AMHR Nationals stalls--this was a couple years ago...I can't remember how the entry fees compared, but I do remember thinking wow, I couldn't afford to show there!

Pony competitors complained at the time that it was so expensive they weren't going to be able to show all the ponies they wanted to enter--they were going to have to limit themselves to one or two.

 

[wcr]

The difference of showing AMHR Nationals and ANY other registry World Caliber shows is the stall fees. Good for AMHR that they can float the budget for the Nationals but it is the stall fees that pay for the shows anywhere and AMHR stall fees are low compared to any other registry. After that, Pinto is cheaper to show than most other registries.

As mentioned, Pinto doesn't have "per Judge fees" and when you can show under 4,6,8 judges and the most I have paid per class is $25 even for 8 judges that is a lot of bang for your buck. Awards are far superior to any registry I have shown in. They encourage the versatile horse because it isn't focused on performance horses vs. halter horses. The point system is per class but your horse has to have points in so many different categories before you can earn championships and the higher levels.

Here on the West coast we have tough competition, full point classes and showing against the same horses that win on a World Show level. The mini people are rivaling the big horse people for the entries per class and the turn out for minis is gaining momentum every year. I was showing the biggies and fell in love with the minis, sold the biggies and went to minis. There is a ready market just waiting to be tapped into.

The biggest selling point for showing Pinto is the lack of politics. We have trainers showing in Pinto but they don't get any preference when it comes to showing. There is a very large group of competitors that train and show their own horses and they are FRIENDLY. We are friends who help each other out, give tips on showing, cheer each other on and encourage newbies. You don't find that at many shows.

 

[targetsmom]

It seems the "per judge fee" is a regional thing, as in New England our entry fees are based on the number of judges. But we do have wonderful "all day fees" to take some of the sting out. This further encourages the versatile horse, which PtHA does anyway with their award structure. Our shows usually have 3 or 4 judges and the mini competition is very strong. We keep adding more mini divisions and some of the minis classes have rivaled the big horses in number of entries. I remember halter (before it was split) and trail classes of 15-16 entries. Some of us have transitioned from the biggies to the minis as we get older. And I agree that one of the BEST things about PtHA is having trainers, kids, oldsters, and everyone else competing on an equal footing. And even though we are on the "other coast" it sounds like the Pinto competitors are equally friendly and helpful.

 

[sedeh]

"As mentioned, Pinto doesn't have "per Judge fees" and when you can show under 4,6,8 judges and the most I have paid per class is $25 even for 8 judges that is a lot of bang for your buck"

Just to clarify. There is a "per judge fee" of $5 per judge per entry(not per class). Usually the entry fees do reflect how many judges there are also. For example, our 3 judge show's are $16 per class and the 6 judge shows are $28 per class. I believe the last AMHA show I looked at the class fees were around $40 per class for a 2 judge show. I agree that the stall fees at PtHA World show are much higher than the AMHA/AMHR World shows.

 

[Candi]

"As mentioned, Pinto doesn't have "per Judge fees" and when you can show under 4,6,8 judges and the most I have paid per class is $25 even for 8 judges that is a lot of bang for your buck"

Just to clarify. There is a "per judge fee" of $5 per judge per entry(not per class). Usually the entry fees do reflect how many judges there are also. For example, our 3 judge show's are $16 per class and the 6 judge shows are $28 per class. I believe the last AMHA show I looked at the class fees were around $40 per class for a 2 judge show. I agree that the stall fees at PtHA World show are much higher than the AMHA/AMHR World shows.

Yes, stall fees are always a buggar! My least favorite fees to pay (blech).

Slightly off-topic - but does AMHR/AMHA actually have a World's Show? I ask because I didn't realize that like APHA and ApHC has Nationals and Worlds - and AQHA has Congress and Worlds. I thought there was just Nationals for AMHR...