Spotlight Classes
All of our featured classes explained
Each Cascade show features thrilling spectator-favorite classes in both the Hunter and Jumper disciplines, including unique formats that can be experienced best at our shows. These are the classes that bring everyone together to cheer on their favorites.
The Grand Prix is the highest level of the show jumping sport, featuring elite horses and riders in thrilling competition. Our Grand Prix class, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, pits competitors against jumps and technical challenges up to 1.3 meters high. Working against a time clock, horses and riders must go “clear” in their first round within the time allotted. For the victory, clear riders must return for the exciting, fan-favorite jump-off competition, where only the fastest athletes win!
The Hunter Derby is the pinnacle of hunt-seat competition. Hunter Derby courses are designed to closely resemble the hunt field, with fewer groundlines, taller and narrower fences, walls, hedges, and more. Our Hunter Derbies, sponsored by Brick Road Farms, uniquely span both of our twin hunter rings. Approaches to jumps vary greatly, and riders are rewarded for choosing more difficult routes and optional jumps! Each Hunter Derby consists of two rounds: the Hunter Classic Course and the Handy Hunter Course. To win requires demonstrations of grace, composure and technical mastery from both horse and rider.
The Whittier Trust Grand Prix is the signature grand prix jumper event at our season-opening Swiftwater Invitational horse show. Horses and riders compete for time and clear rounds against a challenging course with fences up to 1.30 meters high. A speed-focused jump off competition determines the final victor. Whittier Trust generously sponsors this thrilling start to the Cascade Horse Shows jumper season.
The Pacesetter Mini Prix is the premier jumper event at our July Pacific Crest Open horse show. Horses and riders compete for time and clear rounds against a challenging course and fences that test skill and courage. A speed-focused jump off competition determines the final victor. Pacesetter Properties generously sponsors this event.
The DerbyCross is an exciting Cascade Horse Shows-exclusive event in which horse and rider compete in a combined Hunter Classic Round, followed immediately by a Jumper Speed Round, where the highest combined score determines the winner. This event is pays homage to classic hunt-seat competition of the past; success is rewarded to those with high levels of handiness, horse and rider communication, and daring. Beluxari Eq is our generous sponsor for this event.
The Cascade Memorial Cup is a unique Team Hunter Derby event run in Nations Cup style, with teams riding to honor someone special. Each team consists of four riders: one professional and a combination of either juniors or amateur riders. Team members each ride one of 4 Derby rounds: a classic and handy at 2’6”, and a classic and handy at 3’. The top 3 combined scores determine placings for each team. 100% of the proceeds from the entry fees for this class are donated to charities selected by the top 3 placing teams.
The Need for Speed is a classic Jumper Speed Round where horse and rider compete for the shortest time through a challenging course up to 1.2 meters high. Speed is important, but victory often favors the daring pair able to pick out the most “exciting” line through the jumps, which may even involve breathtaking turns! Great athleticism is always on display in the Cascade Need for Speed. The winner receives a quality anatomic girth from Voltaire Design Saddles valued at $350.
No final show of the season would be complete without a thrilling “grand prix” style show jumping event, and our Cascade Finals Mini Prix is a great example. Speed, athleticism, and the ability to find the quickest line is necessary to win this signature competition having obstacles up to 1.2 meters high. An exciting jump off competition determines the horse and rider who will take home the blue ribbon.
The Cascade Pro-Am Challenge is a teams competition that pairs professional and amateur riders together to guide the same horse though a two-phase jumper speed course, complete with a mid-course rider change! The amateur takes “phase one” of the course, dismounts, then the professional rides “phase two” of the course. The time taken to mount and dismount is included in the overall time, and so a steady horse and team coordination is as important as speed through the jumps. During the awards presentation, the team receiving the loudest cheer from fans receives a cash bonus!
Hold onto your horses—and wine—for this one! Our exclusive Rosé All Day Amateur Classic, sponsored by The Watson Group and American Mechanical, is a classic English Hunter Hack competition with a little extra challenge. In a Hunter Hack, exhibitors in Hunt seat attire and tack perform on the flat at a walk, trot, canter and hand gallop, and then jump two low fences. Our event, which is open to amateur riders ages 21 and up, awards an extra bonus at the end for the quiet, well mannered pairs who keep the most wine in their glasses!
We look forward to it every year, and our Rising Stars Children’s Leadline class never fails to delight! See our sport’s youngest stars demonstrate their horsemanship skills as they “perform” on the flat (with their horse guided by an adult or older sibling). Following their feats in the ring, they get to prove their knowledge by fielding tricky questions posed by our jumper judge or show managers. Amazingly, our talented leadliners never fail to tie for first place!
What if you could take everything you love about our Up and Coming Stars Leadline class, and turn it on its head? That’s the spirit of our “just for fun” Parents on Parade™ leadline class, featured at our season-opening Swiftwater Invitational show each June. This class is run a celebration of Father’s Day weekend, and to recognize all of the amazing parents of both genders who support the future of our sport through our junior riders.
Show horses are elite athletes, and a lot of care and attention goes into making our horses look, feel and perform like the winners they are. Success in the show ring depends on the skill and knowledge of the talented grooms who keep our horses beautifully turned out and fit. In this unique class, a USEF-certified judge evaluates the care each groom has put into their horses, has them demonstrate a standing leg wrap, and asks them questions to demonstrate mastery of horsemanship. Our grooms truly look forward to this opportunity to show off their skills and preparation!
One of the great benefits of attending a Cascade show at the Washington State Horse Park is the miles of adjacent cross country trails. There is no better way to experience them than to ride in a our classic Hunter Pace, graciously organized and sponsored during our Alpine Preview show by the Woodbrook Hunt Club. A hunter pace is a great way to have fun and experience a small taste of what true field hunting is like, while spending quality time with your horse and with friends.
One event that everyone looks forward to is the Cascade Canine Derby, sponsored by Evolution Equestrian and Amanda Gelderman. This “just for fun” class pits our fabulous horse show dogs and their favorite handlers against an agility-inspired obstacle course. Scored by our show judges and emceed by show management, this event never fails to bring smiles and gasps from an appreciative crowd.