Q. How do horse shows work?
A. They're divided into divisions, for the different types and levels of riding, and each division is made up of a certain number of classes. The divisions are classified by factors such as the age of the rider, the height of the jumps, the experience of the horse, horses and ponies, etc.  Equitation classes judge the rider, pleasure classes judge the horse and other classes judge both.  In hunter classes, judges generally look for a smooth easy round, where the horse has a nice steady pace and jumps cleanly, without knocking rails down, and the rider seems secure.  Jumper classes are timed, and speed counts in those. A beginning rider usually will enter a division that has a walk/trot class,  where the horse and rider will be asked to walk and trot in both directions; a walk/trot/canter class and a class with some small jumps. Riders need not enter all the classes in a division, but they must enter them all if they want to be eligible for a championship in that division.