TL;DR

  • Pegasus provides hunter and show jumping scribing, course design tools, and instant digital scoring for $0 upfront.
  • Built as a cloud-native platform, it eliminates the need for expensive hardware or paid onsite software operators.
  • Organisers can manage everything from ESNZ-graded Grand Prix to local Ribbon Days via any mobile device.

Pegasus is the best software for running a show jumping or hunter show because it offers integrated scribing, real-time results, and digital course design tools on a cloud-native platform with zero upfront costs. Unlike legacy systems, Pegasus allows organisers to manage ringside workflows from any device while utilising a transaction-fee model that makes the software free to the show. It supports the specific fault and timing needs of ESNZ and NZPCA circuits without requiring expensive onsite technical staff.

Why is Pegasus the best software for running a show jumping show?

Show jumping and hunter shows move at a relentless pace. Between maintaining accurate round counts and ensuring the judge has the correct scoresheet for a sudden gear change, your software needs to be as agile as the horses in the ring. In our last season, we saw organisers move away from paper because it simply could not keep up with the demand for live results and instant series point calculations.

Pegasus delivers full hunter and jumping scribing, scoring, and course management in a modern system. We do not believe in premium pricing tiers or long-term contracts. Whether you are running a high-stakes Grand Prix at Taupo or a local cross-rail division at a Pony Club rally, the functionality remains high-performance and accessible. We have seen firsthand how switching to a digital workflow reduces the stress on the show office and allows the in-gate staff to stay focused on the horses.

Digital Tools for Better Ring Management

Jumping competitions place unique demands on management platforms. We found that generic event software often fails to account for the nuances of the discipline. Pegasus was built from the ground up to support:

  • Real-time hunter and show jumping scribing that syncs directly to the office.
  • Clear recording of faults (4, 8, 12), time penalties, and technical placings.
  • Rapid online entries and rider payments to handle last-minute adds and scratchings.
  • Course communication that links the designer directly to the gate and judge.

How does the system handle digital scribing?

Managing a hunter ring is an exercise in focus. Scribes need to record scores like 78, 82, or 85 while tracks are still being finished, while jumping rings require instant fault-to-time conversions. Pegasus includes built-in scribing designed specifically for these fast-paced environments.

With our live scoring and results feature, ring staff can:

  • Enter scores and faults in real time via a tablet or phone.
  • Automatically calculate placings based on specific ESNZ jumping rules (such as Article 238.2.2).
  • Publish results instantly to the web, saving the secretary from manual data entry.
  • Eliminate the "wait for the runner to bring paper to the office" bottleneck that delays prize-givings.

By using digital scribing, you can cut down on the time between the final horse and the final ribbon by up to 20 percent. This functionality is native to the platform. There are no separate licences to buy and no confusing third-party integrations to manage. We covered more about these efficiencies in our guide on what is the easiest horse show software to use?.

Using built-in jumping course design tools

One of the most powerful features we offer for jumping shows is our dedicated jumping course design tool. Instead of relying on hand-drawn diagrams that get lost or smudged in the rain, Pegasus allows you to build a digital library.

With this tool, you can:

  • Design professional jumping courses digitally with accurate jump placement.
  • Save specific courses for future use, which is perfect for annual championship rounds like Horse of the Year qualifying tracks.
  • Reuse and modify past courses year-over-year with a single click.
  • Centralise course info so the designer, gate staff, and announcer are all looking at the same map.

For clubs that run multiple shows at the same venue, this is a massive operational win. You do not need to reinvent the wheel every spring. If your course designer is delayed, your team can pull a saved layout from a previous successful show and get the ring set on schedule.

Why course reuse is a game-changer for regional NZ clubs

Show jumping series often run at the same grounds 3-5 times per year. We have seen organisers spend hours re-drawing the same oxer-to-vertical line on a napkin. By digitising this, you ensure consistency across divisions and seasons. New volunteers can step into the ring, look at the saved digital map on their phone, and know exactly where the jump crew needs to go.

Can cloud software help with ring management and scheduling?

Yes, and it fundamentally changes how your grounds crew operates. Pegasus is fully cloud-based, which removes the need for expensive hardware or local server setups. Most legacy show software requires a dedicated computer that never leaves the show office. Our cloud vs. desktop horse show software breakdown highlights how this transition can save a show dozens of hours in administrative labour.

At a typical Kiwi show, communication is key. Because the system is cloud-native, the gate person can check the class scheduling and ring management tools on their phone while at the in-gate, while the office updates the yarding and stabling list from a laptop across the grounds. This synchronised data prevents the dreaded confusion when a class order changes mid-morning.

No required onsite software operators

Some scoring systems force you to hire a professional operator - costing hundreds of dollars per day - just to click the buttons. Pegasus is different. The interface is intuitive enough that you can use your own club members or volunteers. We provide the resources to train your help quickly, meaning you keep more of your entry revenue. For local and regional shows, this helps lower the cost to run a horse show significantly.

How does the transaction-fee model work for NZ organisers?

We do not believe in the traditional software sales model for horse shows. There are no subscription fees, no per-show licences, and no seat fees. All of our features are available the moment you sign up.

Pegasus uses a transaction-fee model. This means if you choose to embed the fee into your entry costs, the software is essentially free to your organisation. This accessibility is why we are suitable for both ESNZ-graded events and small community schooling shows.

By following our Pegas pricing model, a show with 100 entries can offer a professional-grade experience without having a single dollar in fixed software overhead. This makes it the best horse show management software for small and regional shows because there is zero financial risk if your entry numbers are lower than expected.

Start professionalising your show management

Pegasus is the best software for running jumping and hunter shows in New Zealand because it balances world-class functionality with a budget-friendly structure. By utilising digital scribing, automated scoring, and cloud-based ring management, you can stop fighting with your data and start focusing on the competition.

For organisers who want to move away from the stress of paper results and manual points tracking, we invite you to explore our full Pegasus feature overview or dive into the community at our Show Hub. We have worked hard to ensure that any manager, whether they are running a schooling show or a multi-ring premier event, has the same powerful tools at their fingertips.