An idiots guide to showing...

[HaffiesRock]

So at the age of 29 I now have a horse that I can actually take to some local shows. I last showed as a small child, bar a couple of inhand classes last April, so I am a complete novice.

OK, so he is a haflinger so I know I can enter the "open" inhand class. Always a massive class as they don't split horses and ponies. I have messaged the organiser for some clarification as they said I can enter him in coloured pony but I'm not too sure? Description says coloured, dun, roan and palomino. Haffy's are chestnut so not so sure.

I can do the same classes in the ridden section but I would not have a clue what to do in that! or what to wear?

Finally I fancy a bit of jumping. Ill attempt the clear round ring a few times before I embark on an actual jumping classes. but when I do which one? He is only 13.3hh so in the pony category, but I am an adult? Show people said I can enter novice and beginner. To be fair, I havent jumped since I was a child and pony is no showjumper so these classes would be great, but am I going to be up against a load of kids on little ponies?

This is all very complicated!

Any tips or other classes I could enter that I've not thought about?

Thanks xx

 

[ruth83]

Local shows very in classes and conditions of entry. If the jumping classes are split horse and pony then you enter the pony classes, if they are split adult/child then enter the adult class.

Many people class Haffys as palamino as they have the flaxen mane and tail, as such, they would accept them in the coloured class.

Equitation classes are open to all (usually split according to age).
Riding club pony (which usually involves a small jump) judges the horse on its suitability to do the riding club job, this may suit?