Minis get a chance to demonstrate their training in shows. Because miniature horses can pull carts and buggies, driving classes are popular at shows. The horses are shown at a walk and a trot.
In these classes, the most important things are the performance of the animal and how well the vehicle, horse, and driver work together and how good they look together.
Like other horses, minis can jump, and their jumping ability is tested in shows. Full-sized horses are ridden in jumping classes. But since minis are too small to ride, the handler must run alongside the horse rather than ride it.
There are two kinds of events in which horses jump over fences—regular jumping classes and hunter classes. In regular jumping classes, handlers lead the horses through a course of at least four different jumps between 18 and 24 inches high. What matters is how high the animal can jump. If it knocks down a jump or refuses to go over, it loses points.
If horses are tied in points after the first round, the obstacles can be raised in height and the animals that have tied go over the course again. If they still tie after the obstacles are 34 inches tall, the horse that completed the course most quickly wins.
In hunter classes, how the horse looks while jumping and while moving between jumps matters most. Each horse goes over the course only once.
Another performance class that is getting more and more popular is one in which the horse and handler must manage a series of obstacles. There are gates to pass through, boards to walk over, hay bales to squeeze between. The horse must be very calm and well trained and must trust its handler, or it will become frightened and refuse to cooperate.