What is the difference? Well, here is how I define these:
Show: Participants enter to ride specific dressage tests before a Judge. They are assigned times for each ride. Fully recognized shows (i.e by USEF/USDF/USEA) are ultimately governed by those organization’s Rules.
The Shows can be:
Schooling – informal venues, not necessarily recognized by any organization. Rules governing attire, officials, show management are up to the Show Management. Fees are up to show management.
“Organization” recognized – I made this term up – Show run by/for a Chapter, GMO or other organization. The Rules and fees are again up to the Organization’s Show Management. For example, Rocky Mountain Dressage Society – a GMO – grants Show Recognition, and requires them to follow USEF/USDF Rules for a Level 1 Dressage show (with some exceptions).
Recognized – the show follows USEF rules, plus the applicable discipline: for instance, Western Dressage Shows would follow the applicable USEF Rules plus the WD rules. Fees are per USEF requirements and Show Management.
Clinics on the other hand:
Clinics are a learning experience for the rider. They also have a variety of formality, requirements, fee structures. Generally, a clinic will feature/focus on a specific Clinician. This person may/may not be a Judge. They may or may not have “certifications”, but, they have a reputation for quality. Clinics may require a submittal by the riders, and choose them based on a criteria determined by the organizers. Clinics often are limited to a certain number of riders based on the length of session and Clinician needs.
Clinics may or may not be open to the public, they may or may not allow auditors, the auditors may or may not be able to ask questions during the sessions.
A Symposium is a similar format, but it does emphasize a learning experience for the Auditors.
Ride A Test is a combination of Show and Clinic:
In this format, you would sign up like a show with a specific Test – just one. Like a Show, you are assigned a ride time, the Judge/Clinician will Ring the Bell for you to start. Typically – and this is up to the Clinician – ride the test, wait for the Judge to score, then have a mini-lesson, and ride the test again! It’s a fun and flexible format, sessions are 30-40 minutes.
Many Shows and Clinics are available on the Web! Click the link below for access to Equestrian Entries (one of the entry portals) and the site I use.
http://equestrian entries.com
If you are not familiar with Equestrian Entries; here is a link to the Frequently Asked Questions page: https://eqentries.com/faq. Once you have set you and your horse(s) up, you can enter and pay for Shows and Clinics listed in the Calendar page
Fox Village gives access to Results, Ride Times, Riders and Horses for Shows and Clinics listed on the Web site and FaceBook page. Click on the link below to see those Events:
http://foxvillage.com