1st show in at least 15 years - advice please ?

KautoStar1

KautoStar1

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So I am taking the old lad to a show on Sunday and its the 1st show I've done in well over 15 years (the odd dressage test doesn't count does it ??) and will be doing veteran in-hand (hope he doesn't leap on my head !) and ridden veteran.
Am OK with the in hand bit - just walk round and trot up. And am OK with the ridden bit except when it comes to the individual show. What should I do and how long should the individual show be ? Advice please. Thanks
 
they usually want W,T,C on each rein - just a couple mins really should suffice...if you feeling a bit of a show off could do a figure of 8 with change of leg ...took my old lad out few weeks ago , had a ball, trampled judge- blue rosette - have fun!!
 
The judge will want to see your horse on both reins in walk, trot and canter... is what is required.

Sometimes they like to see a gallop (a fast canter down the long side of the ring if safe to do so) but not always, sometimes they like to see a rein back...again not aways.

So something like a figure of eight would be simple, trot one way come across and canter on the other circle, back to trot and repeat on the other side again with a canter, could halt and do rein back in between, then continue into a trot and canter again...its totally up to you or you could extend the trot across the middle when you change reins...which can look nice.

Just dont spend too long, a couple of minutes to do your thing, sometimes people spend too long going round and round and it spoils it and the judge might need a quick dig in ribs by the steward because they have fallen asleep!
grin.gif
 
Just make sure it is short and sharp - I have stewarded for a few judges this year in a variety of classes and the one thing they hate is shows that go on for ages. Come out the line up - smile and slaute at the judge (they will often want to ask you a couple of questions about your horse). Walk in a straight line away from the judge, figure of 8 in trot, figure of 8 in canter, extended canter/gallop if you can then halt squarley in front of the judge (but not right on top of them!) so they can get a nice picture of your horse and salute again. Also - remember to smile and look as though you are enjoying yourself!!
 
poppymoo its against VHS rules to gallop in the showing classes, no boday has told any of my lot either. my 25 yearold p'd off with me at the end of his show at the last VHS qualifier had been going beautifully up untill then.
 
brilliant, thanks everyone for your advice. I expect he will be naughty, mainly because at 20 yrs old and 17h, he feels he can. Will try to avoid squashing judge or other competitors, but cant guarantee. Wish me luck !!
 
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