For most riders, the memories that stick with them aren’t always the rounds they won.
They’re the conversations at the ingate, the friends made over a summer of showing and the people cheering them on. They’re the long days at the barn that somehow become the stories everyone is still talking about months later.
At the Angelstone Silver Series, we’ve watched that happen all summer long. Trainers cheer for riders who aren’t necessarily their own, kids grow up around the horse show, and sponsors become familiar faces. Winning matters, of course, but so does being part of it.
The Silver Series was built around a simple idea: create a place where riders can compete, develop and genuinely enjoy the sport. At its core, it is a place to bring along young horses, move into a new division, gain confidence in the ring or chase a championship.
Somewhere along the way, it became more than a series of competitions. It became a community.
“The Silver Series has always been about creating a place where people genuinely want to spend their summer,” says Angelstone CEO Keean White. “We want great competition, but we also want riders, trainers and families to feel like they are part of something.”
(Angelstone photo)
A Place to Grow
Every rider’s goals look different. Success might mean winning a championship, moving into a new division, jumping a first derby or simply walking out of the ring feeling more confident than when they walked in.
The Silver Series gives riders the opportunity to develop while still having something meaningful to work toward. Throughout the season, riders accumulate points and ultimately earn their way to the Silver Series Playoffs.
“You get to watch that progression happen,” says Angelstone Show Manager Madrigal White. “A rider can start the season working toward one goal and, by Playoffs, be doing something they weren’t sure they could do a few months earlier. That’s what a circuit like this should give people: somewhere to learn, get mileage and keep moving forward.”
Playoffs are the culmination of that season, bringing together the riders, horses, trainers, families, grooms and supporters who have spent their summer on the circuit.
More Than the Competition
By the end of the summer, you know the people, horses and barns around you.
“You see the same families coming into the office, the kids growing in confidence and everyone celebrating each other’s successes,” says Angelstone Office Manager Kiria Shantz. “By Playoffs, it really feels like everyone has gone through the season together.”
And Playoffs gave everyone plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Competition included the $1,000 Equine Choice Silver Series Grand Prix, while outside the traditional classes, the $10,000 Ride Every Stride Après Ski Tack Room Contest had teams transforming their barn aisles and fully embracing the theme. There was a Dance Off, and Greenhawk gave away a complete show package through an epic game of Heads or Tails that had the whole crowd involved.
Then, of course, there was the CWD Ride & Drive.
One of the highlights of Playoffs, the Ride & Drive brought together father-and-daughter duos, friends and some memorable teams for a class that had everyone around the ring invested, whether they were riding, driving or cheering from the sidelines.
“One of the best parts of the Silver Series is seeing our sponsors become part of the community,” says Danielle Kendall, Angelstone’s Director of Sponsorship. “It’s about creating experiences that bring people together and add something memorable to the horse show. When sponsors get involved in a meaningful way, it helps make the week feel like more than just a competition.”
That is what we want the Silver Series to be: a place where riders gain confidence, young horses get the miles they need, trainers build their programs, sponsors become part of the experience and families look forward to coming back each weekend.
And, just as importantly, a place where people have fun.
Somewhere between the early mornings, long days and moments shared throughout the season, a horse show becomes about much more than what happens in the ring. You build traditions, confidence and friendships. You develop horses and riders. And, if you do it right, you build a community people want to come back to year after year.
That is the Angelstone Silver Series.
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