Although pleasure horses are the lifeblood of any breed, horse shows excite fans and participants alike. Show ring competition includes classes for Trail Pleasure, Lite Shod and Performance Horses. In addition, halter classes for weanlings and yearlings are always popular.
Older horses show off their excellent conformation in Model classes.
The versatility of the breed is on display in the Harness classes. Events include Competitive Trail Riding, Trail Obstacle, Hunting Horses, Reining, Barrels, Poles, Team Penning, Shot Gunning and Working Cow Horse. World Championship competitions for the show ring and sport horse divisions are held annually in the Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The 2000 World Grand Championship show boasted over 1,100 entries from 17 states. This show is a six day event that ends the first Saturday night in October.