Throughout the year, The Marlborough Hunt Club and its members participate in a variety of horse shows. Ranging from the winter circuit in Florida, spring and summer Events and regional shows, to various fall Foxhunter Hunt Nights, as well as its own show at the MHC Clubhouse and grounds called the Challenge Trophy & Open Horse Show.

Some of the most popular shows for MHC members are the Foxhunter Hunt Nights held in the early fall. What used to be a five part show series, with Marlborough hosting the Hunt Night at the Capitol Challenge Horse Show, started with The Warrenton Horse Show in September and ended with the final Hunt Night at the Washington International Horseshow, held at the MCI Center in Washington D.C. in late October. The three shows in between were the Middleburg Classic Horse Show, in Middleburg Va., the Capitol Challenge Horse Show at the P.G. Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, and the Pennsylvania National Horseshow in Harrisburg, Pa. Each Hunt Club accumulated points, along with ribbons and trophies, for their successes throughout the series, culminating in the awarding of Overall Reserve and Grand Champion at the “grand finale”. Now, with the series disbanded, Marlborough mainly participates in the Warrenton and Harrisburg Hunt Night shows.

Foxhunter Hunt Night Shows

The Foxhunter Hunt Nights are usually the last classes of a larger recognized horse show. They were started to promote friendly competition among the members of area Hunts, competing on horses which have been hunted in the field, and not just show horses. They are open to riders, Staff and horses, who have been fairly hunted in the previous twelve (12) months with a recognized or registered pack of hounds. The Master must sign the entry form confirming this requirement has been met. The horse and rider combination may not compete in any "A" rated division at the horse show.

Classes are ridden in hunting attire with proper appointments and well turned out mounts, braided and groomed as if for a formal hunt. They range from Junior, Gentlemen's and Ladies' Hunter Hack, to be shown at a walk, trot, canter and hand gallop. Judges then select up to eight horses to jump two fences not to exceed 3' and the winners are selected based on performance, manners and soundness. There are also Junior, Gentlemen’s, and Ladies’ Field Hunter Over Fences divisions, separated by various age categories. These classes are shown over a course of fences not to exceed 3' with an emphasis on suitability as a field hunter, as well as performance and soundness. Ladies Side Saddle Hack and Over Fences classes are judged on formal hunting attire and appointments, overall appearance of horse and rider, and performance, with emphasis on manners, style and way of moving.

The Hunt Pairs and Hunt Teams are the most exciting classes to participate in as well as to watch, often causing the crowd to erupt into applause and cheers. Pairs and Teams must consist of two or three horses from a recognized Hunt and ridden by members of that Hunt. They are to be shown over a course of fences not to exceed 3' and require jumping at least one fence abreast. They are judged on a brilliant performance at a true hunting pace, soundness, suitability as a field hunter, manners and uniformity as a team. The Hunting Staff class is also exciting to watch and is open to past and present Staff members, who may be asked to perform certain tasks associated with the hunt field such as trotting fences, dropping rails, opening gates, cracking whips, etc. They are shown over a modified, handy, hunter course. And the last division, the Master's class is open to Masters, or former masters, of a recognized pack to be shown over a short course not to exceed 3', including a trot fence and a hand gallop.