Horse show name question

I'm just curious (after reading several threads)... Why would you need a different show name for the horse? I haven't seen anyone would call it at Dressage shows. Is it different for other shows (like jumping or WP or whatever else)?

I am confused at what you are asking.

I think you are asking why do people need a show name (versus a barn name) because at dressage shows no horse name is announced so why does it matter?


At hunter shows, open shows (with English and Western US classes), breed shows, etc they do announce the horses name when placings are given (in everything but equitation classes).
In many divisions the horse is technically what is being judged so it only makes sense that they would announce the horse's name.

At the breed show I was at this past weekend, in the halter (conformation) classes they announced the horse's name and the owner and the handler was not mentioned.

Oh, I see... I was curious because I've seen people look for "show name" when they have registered name for the horse ("show name" vs "barn name" I do understand). So I just don't understand why not to use registered name (even if it gets announced).

In that case it is simply because the horse is either registered with a registry that it is not affected by showing (like a TB, Jockey club could care less about the horse's show record) or the person does not care about the registry (and is obviously not showing at breed sanctioned shows) and they really hate the registered name.

I had a gelding (TB) whose registered name was Pinkys Alley. I obviously did not show him under that.

I think it's a funny name. Although I'd care less for the name to be honest (my qh's registered name was the longest on list at the last show).

Pistols name is Pistol so that is what I always showed him under. I know with some show circuits you have to register your horse to accrue points, Virginia Horse Show Association is one example. You only have to register the horse once but I think both the rider and the horse have to be members. I don't think there is a rule on the name either so you can pick whatever name you want. I geuss some people just like a fancy name?

W/ AQHA you have to show under what your horse is registered so Riley go's by his registered name and I have to go by Jennifer even though I NEVER go by that because he is registered to my full name. Had I known that I would have put Jenny on his papers......

My horse is not registered, and I don't think she can be. She is an Arab X QH X Andalusian, and I recently found out she also has Paint in her. So she does not have a registered name, so I would show her with a show name.

Yep, this definitely makes sense. I was just referring to horses with papers (that already have name).

Well, I do it as AB said, and I also did it just for fun sometimes. I had a TB registered as Rippling Jiggs. YUK!

I have not had one registered since, but my clyde cross came with the name "Second Chance", barn name "chance". I changed it to Frank, and used the "second Chance, but when my daughter did 4-h, she called him "bob's big boy (DH is Bob). Didn't matter, it was just fun.

The newer one, QH/TWHcross I have registered with the NRHA, so I needed a "show name". He is "Gotchur Six" to them. He will accrue points (if we should ever be so lucky!) under that name.

I have seen some H/J people name them fun names even if they are, for example registered QH-totally seperate point system.

Love Story has always been Love Story, especially at shows. Someone asked me why I don't give her a pretty show name, but I think her name's pretty enough, same with my new jumper Silver Sabre. :)