 Showing
Cedar Lodge Stables may be gone as much
as 2-3 weekends every month from May until Oct. to fulfill
the needs of their showing clients and young horses. For a list
of Show dates for this year, visit Cedar Lodge Calender of events. Our show
riders participate in three different types of show circuits:
Circuit one:
Circuit one is a group of small, local
schooling shows held in spring and fall. These shows often are
combined as a circuit and sometimes are individual shows. They
are usually one day, and usually that day is Sunday. CLS
participates in several of these both spring and fall, and hosts
one in the spring. These shows prove as an excellent place to
bring young horses and riders for their beginning show
experiences, and ready them for a larger more intense
circuit.These shows are open to Cedar Lodge campers as well, who
will often lease a show horse from our string to participate.
Click here for
more information, including dates for upcoming shows.
Circuit two:
Circuit two is a local "B" circuit of
shows comprising the Lake Michigan Hunter/Jumper Association show
circuit. CLS usually travels to 80-100% of these shows each
season, and hosts one LMHJA on Cedar Lodge Stables grounds over
Labor Day weekend. LMHJA shows are comprised of two rings:
the Basic Ring, starting at cross rails classes up to 2'3"
and the Regular Ring, starting at 2'3" up to 3'3" Hunters, and
2'6" to 3'9" Jumpers. Because of their variety of classes,
LMHJA shows prove to be a nice next step for those that have
shown with CLS on Circuit One shows. Shows run Saturday and
Sunday, and there is often schooling on Friday as well. Students
that are interested, and committed to showing in at least 80% of
the LMHJA circuit shows should consider being members of the
association. Membership allows riders to participate in medal
classes, and qualify for year end awards in the divisions in
which they show. LMHJA hosts an awards banquet every year in
November for all members. Cedar Lodge Stables and it's customers
sponsor several year end awards on the LMHJA circuit.
In addition to LMHJA shows, Cedar Lodge often finds itself
looking for additional shows to fill it's calender. CLS
often travels to Lake Effects and MHJA "B" level shows to
fill the needs of their customers. Though these are both very
nice show circuits and their classes are similar to the LMHJA
shows, CLS travels to less of these, as they are a farther
distance to haul and therefor more of a time commitment.
Circuit three:
Circuit three shows are "A" shows that
Cedar Lodge Stables may choose to attend. In the past, Cedar
Lodge has traveled to "A" shows held in Detroit, Jackson,
Chicago and Kentucky. These shows run from 2-4 days, and require
a larger commitment of time, money and energy. Only those that
are seasoned showers are qualified to show with CLS at this
level. Because of the commitment that showing far away entails,
CLS must have a group of students interested in this kind of
horse show to put an "A" show on their calender.
Philosophy
 With all this talk of
showing, I think it would be amiss not to discuss Cedar Lodge
Stables philosophy of showing. Cedar Lodge and it's staff are
dedicated to developing riders to be the best that they can be.
Whether our riders decide to show, pleasure ride or become
working professionals, makes little difference to us. We are
serious about discovering what each individual's goals are, and
helping them achieve them. To that end, though Cedar Lodge
Stables travels to many shows through out the year, our goal at
shows is not to win.
Yes winning is nice, and it's not like we volunteer
to give the ribbons back:) but showing to us is merely a way to
gage the progress of our riders and horses. It is
merely a stepping stone. We are just as content a rider's
performance when they nail that lead change they've been working
so hard on, or finally find that allusive distance as when they
bring home the Championship. In fact, a mediocre performance that
happens to win the blue will got by with no less criticism just
because it won. We expect nothing but their best efforts
from our riders, as we do from our horses and ourselves. If that
wins, great. If it doesn't there is always something more to
learn from the experience.
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