Creating an opportunity for all draft horse owners to show their horses.
About the Virtual Clydesdale Show
Welcome to the Show!
The Virtual Clydesdale Show (VCS) exists in providing opportunities and recognition for competitors throughout the world and strives to have an international reach in promoting the majestic Clydesdale horse and all draft breeds.
Discover the Magic of Draft Horses
Have some fun with your big horse!
I founded the Virtual Clydesdale Show (VCS) out of a desire to explore new avenues with my beloved Clydesdale, Amber. With a single Clydesdale in my stable, I yearned to showcase her grandeur in the same way I proudly present my stock horses at shows.
Virtual shows emerged as an excellent opportunity, not only providing a way to highlight my horses ability, but also deepening my bond through the dedicated practice it necessitated.
Join us at the Virtual Clydesdale Show, where we're not just building a community; we're reimagining what it means to come together and celebrate the noblest of animals.
Whether you are new to horse showing or an experienced competitor, we have classes for you. VCS divisions include Youth, Rookie, Amateur, Trainer and Open. VCS classes include halter, showmanship, rail, patterns and freestyle.
What about the other draft breeds? We have an Open Breed division for you to compete too!
Draft horse are not just for pulling wagons and farm work. Our show is specifically tailored for draft horses and designed to showcase their versatility.
Get Ready for the Virtual Clydesdale Show!
The Shows and Awards
We offer 1-2 shows in the Spring and Fall with ribbons for placings in the top 3.
Each show, we tally up all the points for each division and offer Champion and Reserve prizes for Youth, Rookie, Amateur, Trainer/Pro and Open divisions!
All draft breeds are welcome and can show in our Open division!
Plan for your show now!
Spring
Spring
Spring
The cold is gone and the horses are frisky, as are we. Start the season off with our Spring show and work through something new.
Fall
Spring
Spring
Time to wind down after a busy Summer, our Fall show will offer you and your horse the prefect opportunity to show off before the weather turns! This show will be scheduled by request depending on interest and demand.
Class Descriptions
Halter
Halter is a type of horse show class where horses are shown "in hand," meaning that they are led, not ridden, and are judged on their conformation and suitability as breeding stock. You'll walk towards the judge, the judge will step to the side and you begin your trot when you're across from the judge. Trot to the lineup and setup your horse for the judges inspection.
Showmanship
It involves a person on the ground leading a horse, wearing a halter or bridle, through a series of maneuvers called a pattern. The horse itself is not judged on its conformation. Exhibitors are judged on exhibiting the animal to its best advantage, with additional scoring for the grooming and presentation of both horse and handler.
English/Western Rail
The purpose of working English/Western rail is to reward horses that display the natural self-carriage of a working horse; a ground-covering, forward-moving stride without excessive speed; balance; cadence; and ease of use.
English/Western Pattern
The pattern class is a horsemanship class is designed to evaluate the rider's ability to execute, in concert with their horse, a set of maneuvers prescribed by the judge with precision and smoothness while exhibiting poise and confidence, and maintaining a balanced, functional and fundamentally correct body position.
Gaming
New for 2026! The gaming class is designed for you and your horse to have some fun in the arena and will be judged liberally as you complete the pattern challenges riding English or Western (walk/trot), no canter.
Freestyle
This is an opportunity to show off your horses abilities. It can be riding, it can be ground, it can be tricks, it can be whatever you would like to impress the judge with. You have to have a minimum 30 seconds up to 1:30 seconds in length for your video.
Cart
New for 2026! In judging the cart horse class (as well as all the harness classes), the judge takes into consideration both the conformation of the horse as well as its manner of going. A cart horse should have a good fast snappy trot and carry its head up, thus looking alert. You will start at a walk, then into a trot, walk and change directions and then trot and finish at a walk.
Registration Instructions
Just follow the suggestions below and you'll be off and running for 1st place!
Register: Click the REGISTER HERE button and enter your information in the notes section on the online checkout form including the classes you would like to compete in and pay the applicable registration fee.
Patterns: Patterns will be emailed to you early if you are a member. If not, check back here on the pattern release date.
Arena/Pasture: All patterns are completely doable in an arena, pasture or even your front yard.
Filming: You can have a family member film you with their phone or use a camera device (GoPro). On our pattern sheet, we recommend where to setup for filming.
Videos: We have a guide for uploading your videos to YouTube and keeping them private.
Email: Send us an email with your name, horse name and video links for each class.
Placings: It can take from 1 to 2 weeks depending on the number of entries and we'll announce on our Facebook and in email.
Next Show: Practice for the next show what you feel you need to improve on!
2026 Spring Show Registration
Copy and paste the following information into the notes section on the online checkout form:
1. Rider (full name)
2. Horse name (breed)
3. Class numbers (located in show classes)
4. Mailing address
5. Email address
6. Phone
Registration Fees:
$25 for 1 class, $50 for 3 classes, or $125 for all riding classes with judge comments.