Top show horse producer Vicky Smith on travelling horses, bitless bridles and hot competitions
With the county shows in full swing it seems busier than ever. Still, on my team we try to take just one or two horses to the busier shows, making it easier to manage for both us humans and for the horses.
Traditionally, county shows fit around the agricultural calendar, explaining perhaps why so many are crammed into such a small space of time. Any date clashes were irrelevant, as on the whole, they were attended by local people showcasing their produce and livestock.
But in this day and age, as so many hold Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers, having so many crammed into a short period of time – including several into just one week – poses problems.
A quick scroll on social media alone reveals that this super-busy run of fixtures has people and horses on the road up and down the country chasing qualification tickets.
At Lincolnshire Show, I chatted to John Killingbeck, who was the team vet for the British eventing team for 20 years. Before the Atlanta Olympics, he was involved in the research around transporting horses to the Games. It was concluded that broadly speaking, horses used the same energy and strain for every mile travelled as they would if they were walking there.
This is food for thought as we travel our horses.
It’s particularly worrying in the case of young animals presumably chasing in-hand tickets. For me, such youngsters should be shown a handful of times for education, and qualifying is a bonus. They should not be on a lorry week in, week out.
It’s not just a case of it posing an immediate welfare risk. Showing youngsters excessively also runs the risk of having them grow sick of showing before their ridden careers have even begun.
Welfare first
Without doubt, welfare has rightly become a more pressing issue in equestrian sport and as a result, there’s a rise in the use of bitless bridles. I recently saw footage from the UK’s first bridleless competition with both dressage and showjumping classes. The venue – Merrist Wood – was full to capacity with spectators and the event went viral on social media.
Meanwhile next month, Iverk Show in Ireland plan to host their first bitless showing class. With a prize pot of €350 (£300), it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Is there an appetite for such classes in the broader showing circuit?
I believe that the trend for using driving and strong bits is lessening its grip. But with research suggesting that around 27% of horses have mouths that are unsuitable for even a snaffle bit, I have to ask, is it time for showing to hold stricter rules on harsh bitting?
I know it has been mentioned in previous columns, but I feel I have to remind competitors that we hold full responsibility for showing’s social licence. We must be mindful of how our discipline is portrayed to the public at shows themselves and on social media. A readiness to question practice shows a willingness to prioritise welfare.
In a similar vein, is it time for professionals to question their use of gadgets at home and at competition? This is particularly the case when posted on social media, a space young riders use for inspiration and as a learning tool.
On a more positive note, it has been great to see county shows bending over backwards to ensure equine welfare at their venues during very hot recent weather conditions.
There have been extra hydration points and plenty of guidance for those competing on caring for themselves and their exhibits. Well done to them for adapting in the face of new challenges. We must do the same.
● How and where would you introduce bitless competition to the showing circuit? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine
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You might also enjoy reading:
A competitor’s guide to the 2026 HOYS showing qualifiers
‘Encouraging welfare conversations and celebrating good horsemanship’ as agricultural show announces bitless showing class
‘This is a worrying time indeed,’ says top show horse producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable
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