What to Expect at Colorado Horse Park

Welcome to Colorado Horse Park. Whether this is your first horse show or your hundredth, we’re glad you’re here. The grounds are beautiful, the competition is world-class, and we want every visitor to have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience. 

A horse show is unlike most sporting events. Thousand-pound athletes share the grounds with their riders, grooms, families, and fans — and keeping everything running smoothly depends on everyone being aware of a few simple guidelines. None of this is complicated. It mostly comes down to being aware of your surroundings and giving the horses the respect they deserve as the incredible animals they are. 

Here’s what you need to know.

Horses have the right of way — always

This is the most important rule on the grounds. Horses are large, powerful animals with strong instincts — and at a busy show, they’re already navigating a lot of new sights, sounds, and smells. When you see a horse and rider approaching, whether on foot or in a vehicle, stop and give them room to pass. Step to the side calmly and let them go first. Even a horse that looks completely relaxed can react quickly and unexpectedly, so the more space you give, the better for everyone. 

• On foot: Step off the path, stand still, and wait for the horse to pass. 
• In a vehicle or golf cart: Come to a complete stop and cut the engine if the horse seems unsettled. Restart slowly and quietly once they’ve passed. 
• If a horse seems nervous: Don’t try to help by reaching out or making sounds. Stand still and let the handler or rider manage the situation. 

Avoid sudden movements and startling objects

Horses are flight animals, which means they tend to flee at any sign of perceived danger — it’s in their DNA. Horses at shows are already away from home and out of their usual environment. They are sensitive and react to movement and sounds. Horsecouncil

A few specific things that commonly startle horses — please be mindful of these on the grounds:

• Umbrellas: Never open or close an umbrella near a horse. The sudden movement and shape can trigger an immediate flight response. If rain is in the forecast, a rain jacket or poncho is a much safer choice.
• Sudden standing or movement near the rail: If you’re seated or crouching near the arena fence and a horse passes, rise slowly and calmly rather than jumping up.
• Rustling bags, wrappers, or noisy objects: Quick movements and scary objects can send a horse into flight mode. Loud cheering, running, standing suddenly, making noise with chairs, and gathering trash can also frighten these animals. Take care when handling crinkly bags, plastic packaging, or foil near horses. Theridingpark
• Flowy, billowing clothing: Large floppy hats, scarves, and poufy jackets that catch the wind can look alarming to a horse. Fitted clothing is always the safer choice near the arenas.
• Drones and cameras with flash: Do not fly drones on the grounds without prior permission from show management. Flash photography near horses is not permitted.

Dogs are welcome — on a leash

Dogs are a common sight at horse shows and we love having them on the grounds. But a dog that slips its leash, barks unexpectedly, or darts toward a horse can create a genuinely dangerous situation — for the horse, the rider, and your own pet. Please don’t use the showgrounds as a place for your dog to burn off energy or be trained. It’s not the time or location for that.

• Keep your dog on a short leash at all times.
• Give horses a wide berth when walking your dog — don’t allow them to approach or sniff a horse unless the rider or handler has explicitly invited it.
• If your dog becomes anxious, reactive, or difficult to manage around horses, please take them back to your vehicle. A stressed dog near horses is a safety concern for everyone.
• Be aware that Colorado Horse Park is surrounded by open space with wildlife — coyotes and other animals are occasionally spotted on and near the grounds. Keep your dog close.

Driving and parking on the grounds

The show grounds are an active working environment with horses, vehicles, and pedestrians sharing the same roads and pathways. Please drive slowly and attentively at all times.

• Speed limit: Drive at a walking pace (no more than 5–10 mph) on all internal roads and pathways.
• Horses always have the right of way — stop completely when a horse is crossing or passing near your vehicle.
• Watch for horses coming out of barn aisles and pathways — they can appear quickly and without much warning.
• No honking on the grounds, even at a distance. The sound carries and can startle horses in stabling areas.
• Parking: Follow posted signage and staff direction. Do not park in aisleways, near barn entrances, or in any area marked as a horse path.

Cheering and applause

We love an enthusiastic crowd, and the riders love hearing your support. A few things to keep in mind at ringside: 

• It is quite acceptable to clap and cheer once the class has lined up for its placings. If any horses seem to be frightened, please resume a quieter disposition.
• Avoid sudden loud cheering, shouting, or banging on railings while a horse and rider are actively competing in the ring. Save the big reaction for after they’ve finished their round. 
• Keep phone calls brief or step away from the ringside viewing areas to take them. The show environment requires a level of quiet focus from riders and horses alike. 
• Avoid openly criticizing competitors or judges from the stands. You never know who’s sitting nearby — and the equestrian community is a warm and welcoming one. Let’s keep it that way.

Ask before approaching a horse

Many horses at Colorado Horse Park are friendly, experienced, and accustomed to people. But every horse is different, and their behavior on show day — away from home, in a busy environment — can differ from how they are at the barn. 

• Always ask before approaching or petting a horse. Even a calm-looking horse can react unexpectedly, and the rider, groom, or handler will let you know if it’s a good moment. 
• When approaching a horse, do so from the front so the horse can see you. Bring your hand up slowly. Don’t reach toward a horse’s face or hindquarters without an introduction.
• Never feed horses without permission from their handler. Many horses are on specific nutrition programs, and even well-intentioned treats can cause problems. 
• Children should always be supervised near horses and should not approach horses without an adult and explicit permission. 

What to wear

Colorado is famous for its weather surprises — a warm morning can become a rainy afternoon, and afternoon sun at 6,000 feet is stronger than it looks. Come prepared. 

• Footwear: Wear closed-toe shoes with a flat sole. The grounds include grass, gravel, and sand footing — heels, flip-flops, and open-toed sandals are not safe near horses and won’t serve you well on the terrain. 
• Layers: Colorado mountain weather can shift quickly, especially during the Summer series. A light jacket is always worth bringing. 
• Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are strongly recommended. The Colorado sun at altitude is no joke, even on cloudy days. 
• Rain gear: If you’re checking the forecast and rain is possible, bring a rain jacket rather than an umbrella — umbrellas near horses aren’t safe to open on the grounds (see above). 

What to wear

There are two entrances to the grounds. Please use the correct entrance for your visit: 

Accessible parking and accessible portable restrooms are available on the grounds. Note that not all areas are paved — comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the terrain. 

Questions while you’re here?

The show office and staff on the grounds are always happy to help. For general inquiries before your visit, reach us at [email protected]. 

We hope you have a wonderful time at Colorado Horse Park. This is a special place — and days like this, with the horses in the ring and Pikes Peak on the horizon, are what it’s all about. Enjoy every minute of it.