How to Host a Horseless Horse Show
Horseless Horse Shows are always a huge hit with both participants and spectators. They're perfect for birthdays, barn parties, fundraisers, intermissions at horse shows, Halloween gatherings, holiday events — or just because they're so much fun! You can easily host a Horseless Horse Show at your house, in your backyard, or at the barn. It's a creative and memorable event that works for all ages.
In fact, this was our own family’s Fourth of July tradition for many years when my daughter was young. The fun, laughter, and homemade horses made it one of our favorite ways to celebrate together.
Read on for ideas, inspiration, and tips to make your own Horseless Horse Show a success!
Stick Horses and Ponies are a Must Have!
Our favorite homemade stick horse is the Mop Pony — a fun and slightly more advanced project that's perfect for older kids. All you need is a mop (we usually find them at the dollar store), a few basic craft supplies, and a little imagination. Take a look at these Mop Pony Instructions for inspiration.
A close second is the Sock Stick Horse, which is a bit easier and ideal for younger kids. They're super cute and surprisingly sturdy. Just grab some socks (we recommend new ones — they’re cheap in multipacks at the dollar store) and get creative! Try these instructions on how to make a sock stick horse or give it a little flair with this Glamorous Stick Horse variation.
Pro tip: Don't forget to have everyone name their horse before the show begins — it adds a fun, personal touch that kids love.
Using Bamboo for Sock Stick Horses
For many years I had bamboo growing in my garden and would save the large shoots when thinning it out in the spring. Bamboo stakes are an amazing addition to the stick horse.
Buy a Stick Horse or Two!
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| Cute Stick Horse Sets on Amazon |
If there aren't many kids, buying stick horses is another option. They make nice party favors and can be used again for additional Horseless Horse Shows and play.
Classes and Events
I recommend holding the show outside as the riders and stick horses tend to get rowdy. I use games that everyone can do at the same time. This keeps everyone busy and no one is getting bored waiting for their turn. Pick and choose what games suit you and your guests. Here is a list of our favorites.
Horse Race
While you do not normally see this event at a horse show, it is always a crowd pleaser. Have a few rules like they have to ride their stick horse, no holding it in front or to the side.
Egg and Spoon
Start the game with everyone riding their stick horses in an oval or circle while balancing an egg on their spoon. Then begin to call out different horse gaits: walk, trot and canter. If no one knows what you're talking about, just change this to walk, jog and run. When a rider drops their egg, they're out! Last one left with an egg on their spoon wins!
Instead of using real eggs, we like to use plastic eggs — less mess and no cleanup.
Fill Your Horse's Water Bucket
This is our family favorite and a must for an outside event. We give a bucket to each person and write their stick horse's name on it. This is another party favor that they can fill with all the stuff they get throughout the party. Each participant should have the same size plastic or paper cup. Fill a single large container with enough water for everyone to fill their horse's water bucket. We do not buy very large buckets and often use a wheelbarrow to hold the water.
Everyone starts at their own bucket, and when the race begins, they are to ride their horse to the water source, fill their cup with water, and run back and empty it into their bucket. Whoever fills their horse's water bucket first is the winner.
This is a hilarious event for the participants and onlookers alike. It quickly becomes mass confusion with everyone running into each other, no one can remember which bucket is theirs, everyone laughs so hard they become weak, and it becomes a huge struggle to ride their stick horse back and forth to fill their bucket.
You can find a colorful selection of buckets at most dollar stores. Even if you decide not to play this game at your show, the horse water bucket is still a great favor for your guests. You can fill them with party favors in advance, or they can be filled as the party progresses.
Musical Barrels or Cones
This is very similar to musical chairs. You will need barrels, cones, buckets or whatever you have available, with one less item than the number of show participants. Arrange the cones in the shape of a circle or oval, leaving a large space between each cone. All participants should keep to the outside of the cones throughout the entire game.
Begin playing music and have the participants ride their stick horses around the cones until the music stops. Then all riders and their stick horses must rush to stand next to a cone. Only one rider and horse can claim each cone. Whoever is coneless is out. Take away another cone and begin again. Last rider and stick horse with a cone wins!
Conformation Class
If your Horseless Horse Show participants made their own horses, give prizes for their creations. Just make sure everyone is a winner. Have different categories and multiple winners in every category. Some category examples are funniest, cutest, most realistic, most creative and whatever else comes to mind.
Awards and Prizes
Horse Themed Favors, Prizes and Ribbons
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Horse themed favors, prizes and ribbons are a fun way to finish your Horseless Horse Show. Award ribbons for the games and for the homemade horses in your Conformation Class. Small toy horses, horse stickers, pencils and horse themed coloring pages are easy ideas for prizes and favors.
You can also make your own horse show ribbons. Cut circles from cardstock and write the award or placing in the center. Attach two lengths of ribbon to the back of each circle, leaving the ends hanging below. Add the horse's name, the rider's name or the date of your show to make each ribbon a personalized keepsake.
The stick horses and personalized water buckets already give everyone something to take home. Add their ribbons and prizes to the buckets as the show progresses, and they'll have a collection of favors by the end of the party.
Need a Little More Horse to Your Party?
Then take a look at the links below for a great selection of invitations, favors, decorations, and more...
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