About ShowConnect
The Community-Based Event Management System for Equestrian Shows
ShowConnect is built for the equestrian community — a modern, web-based platform designed to support events of all sizes with the tools they need to succeed.
From registration to scheduling and scoring, ShowConnect delivers the core functionality required to run a competition. But it goes further — offering features that help organizers streamline operations, communicate in real-time, and manage transactions securely and efficiently.
Designed with the future in mind, ShowConnect makes it possible to offer professional-grade tools to even the smallest events — all through a flexible, cost-effective system that connects riders, organizers, and officials in one central place.
Through the ShowConnect website, events can enable real-time communication, registration changes, purchases, and account reconciliations directly with participants via smartphones or other devices. The system is modular and allows for custom scoring solutions tailored to the types of events you may run in the future.
ShowConnect is not an online entry system, but it does support manual entries and imports from third-party platforms, such as USEA Xentry.
Benefits of Using ShowConnect
ShowConnect provides one central location with everything needed to run an event — including state-of-the-art technology, enhanced scoring systems, real-time updates, easy accessibility, cost-effective tools, and 24/7 support for organizers and secretaries.
The Rider Experience (Vision in Progress)
USEA Board of Governors member and Area VI Adult Rider, Dawn Robbins, contributed to the early design and vision for ShowConnect. The following scenario reflects the original goals and long-term vision for how ShowConnect and the USEA Event Companion App could simplify the rider experience. While not all of these features are live today, this narrative helped shape the system we are actively building and improving.
Dawn describes what a day in the life of a rider could look like when the full platform vision is realized:
“On my way to the barn in the morning, I receive an alert on my phone that the closing date for the May Horse Trials at Galway Downs is today. At the barn, I open my USEA Event Companion App and log in. I enter the show, choosing one of my available horses, and I decide on the Preliminary Rider division once the app confirms my qualifications. I pay with my credit card, stored within my phone, order stabling, enter my preference of barns and stalls after the app shows me a map of the available barn locations, and I order shavings and an RV spot. I request that a receipt be texted to me, and I’m all set!
In the days leading up to the show, I decide to change my division. I open the app and make that change. Later, I receive a series of alerts. One is my time schedule with a division confirmation, and another is a stall number confirmation. I check on the app to find a map of the barns, competitor entrances, gate codes, wash racks, and show office location. As the weather reports become available, it appears that the temperatures will be high. I get an alert that the schedule has changed and I’ll be running cross-country an hour earlier in the morning. I log in to check that my friends are stabled near me and to see what time they run. I decide to ‘follow’ them throughout the weekend so that I’ll get their scores sent to me automatically, along with my own.
At the show, I perform my dressage test. Within a short time, I receive an alert that my score is ready to view. I check on my phone, and I see all of my individual movement scores, the judge’s comments, and my overall score. I forward the information to my trainer and my boyfriend. For the friends that I’m following, I start receiving alerts of their ride times and arena locations. I also realize that I’m going to need more shavings, so I order two more bales via the app. I get a confirmation that they’ll be there by 3:00 p.m. today. I also order a second ticket for the competitor party and get a receipt and confirmation.
The next day, I receive an alert as I’m getting ready for cross-country that there is a hold on course, and then I receive a second saying that my time has been delayed by 30 minutes. Once I’m done riding, I receive alerts that the scores are posted, including scores on each cross-country jump and my time. I can check the app and see how I’m doing overall, and I receive alerts if a score has been changed and re-posted.
The rest of the weekend goes great and I get an alert that the ribbons for my division are ready for pickup. Later, I receive an invoice for my charges, which I accept to close out my account. I get a receipt sent to me and a nice message from the show organizer, thanking me for coming to the event. The next day, I receive a notification from the USEA that my score has qualified me for the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds (AEC) and directing me to more information about attending.”
