Advice needed .. on showing please

[bubble0127]

Hi there

I have a 9mths old Wesh D foal. i want to do some showing with him this year but neither of us has done it before. I was wondering if anyone has any hints or tips.

I need to know.. what tack he needs to wear
what is expected of him
what judges are looking for

Any tips on how to get him ready for the show will be greatfully received!!

Thanks

 

[lilym]

He needs to lead nicely in walk and trot and to stand when asked although with welsh youngstock a bit of flair is certainly forgiven!! Judges *should* be looking for and animal that is as close to the breed standard as possible, I have found that they like youngstock fat - please don't go down this route_ Tack is very simple - a white halter!!
To get ready give him a good bath white bits sparkling tidy his mane and tail and discreetly trim his jawline, I also use a bit of baby oil in the mane and tail, and put a single, unrolled plait just behind the ear.
I would go and find a few shows and watch first so you will have an idea of what to expect, then have a go at some lo key local stuff - have fun!!

 

[Rudey]

There will be someone on here that will be able to give you better advice as I only started showing last year and it was in coloured classes. I have a few tips tht should apply to you too, hope they help! xx

My old YO use to show welshs. She use to keep them in a very natural state, long flowing manes and tails, no obvious 'straight edge' trimming. She had a section D stallion and he didn't do so well because he wasn't very thick set and had a thin mane and tail in comparison to the other horses he was against.

You and your horses turnout MUST be immaculate, pristine, no dirt in sight, not a hair out of place. CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN!

(That is the part I have major problems with lol)!

I showed my yearling in a white showing halter for his first year as I wasn't keen on him being bitted so young, it was just personal preference.

Most people aren't keen on halters and use inhand bridles. Bridle wise, you don't want anything too fussy or fancy, just a plain cavesson bridle with a loose ring snaffle. Ideally brown leather.

Dress code for you, avoid wearing anything black or white. Wear a tweed jacket (tip - green goes well with most colour horses), a cream shirt, a coloured tie, and trousers (not jods if you are inhand showing), with some decent boots to run in. Wear gloves and have a showing cane, ideally brown. The tip with trousers is to wear dark trousers against horses with white legs, e.g. brown or navy. Wear light trousers with horses with dark legs, e.g. beige. Tie your hair back into a tight bun. Wear a hat, a trilby is acceptable but generally with youngsters it is wise to wear a riding hat.

You lead your horse from the left hand side, and when you trot up for the judge, you turn your horse right, away from you, so that you are on the outside of the turn.

Another good tip is to step in time with your horse, so your stride matches their stride for stride. This helps the judge concentrate on your horses movement and not get confused with yours, hence another reason for wearing the contrasting colour trousers against your horses legs!

Be polite and presentable. The judge may ask you questions about your horse, e.g. age, background, breeding bloodlines, etc... One judge I had, had a very hands on approach, looked in my youngsters mouth, lifted his tail up etc... So it is worth getting your little chap use to been well handled. A good tip is to get as many different people to handle him so he isn't nervous of strangers.

This is a photo of me and my youngster Rox. It is a classic of what NOT to wear - I was half in my show gear and half in my show jumper gear, that's the trouble with classes that clash on the same day!

Hope this helps a little and gives you abit of an idea! xx

 

[lilym]

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This is a photo of me and my youngster Rox. It is a classic of what NOT to wear - I was half in my show gear and half in my show jumper gear, that's the trouble with classes that clash on the same day!

Hope this helps a little and gives you abit of an idea! xx

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Keep a smart pair of trousers with you to slip on over the jods if you have sj and inhand showing on the same day!!

 

[Rudey]

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Keep a smart pair of trousers with you to slip on over the jods if you have sj and inhand showing on the same day!!

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LOL! A very good tip! I'm useless - forget everything and I'm ALWAYS late!

That particular day, I was showing in the morning, whizzed off to take my yearling back to the yard, went straight to my newphews Christening (yes in my showing gear

lol), was too late for the church part but managed an hour at the after-do, and then whizzed back for my bay, back at show for show jumping in the afternoon lol! I had only got half my stuff with me and had to wear a concoction what I had to hand lol!

*rolls eyes and shakes head* lol!

Tip for OP, get your stuff ready and in the car the night before, be very prepared, and give yourself plenty of time. I'm not cut out for this showing malarky lol! If anything use me as an example of what not to wear and what not to do!!

xx