Adult horse riding without show?

[Ang]

There are some barns that are really into showing, but I find that the majority of barns offering lessons are not. They may have a show team for people who want to show, or offer fun shows at the farm for students who want to try it, but it's totally optional. Many smaller farms really do not offer shows at all. Just look for a laid-back, mostly adult barn where you feel comfortable.

Now I teach middle school, but I used to make my living as a barn manager and riding instructor. When I ran my own place, I had a couple students who wanted to show, so I would take them to shows and coach them. But unless the students asked me about showing, I never pushed it. Of all my students, I only had 3 who were interested in showing. When I joined a larger, fancier barn as assistant instructor, I taught the novice and casual riders. We held 1-2 fun shows a year at the farm for those who wanted to try it, but nobody had to show. People who were really into showing took their lessons with the head instructor, who did push showing and attended at least 1 show a month.