Bit for Showing

[Non-Horsey Mum]

Hi,

We went off to my 11-year old daughters first showing show yesterday - with her "been there and done that" pony.

She was in a Pelham Globe bit as that was what we had been advised to ride in. However the judge marked my daughter last and said the bit was way to harsh. My daughter rode well and controlled her pony - when there were others that had absolutely no control - one child ran the judge over but was still placed higher.

Frustrated at the judge, but more importantly I need to know if the bit is suitable or if there is something else we can try (or if we just avoid that judge in future). The pony knows her job but can be speedy.

Thanks,

 

[Littlelegs]

Without knowing exactly what the pony does its hard to advise which bit is best, does she have an instructor that could help?
With regards to the judge, I'm not a showing person, but it can depend on the class too. If its an equitation class, a child that does well riding a naughty pony in a snaffle can easily be placed above a child that stays in control with a stronger bit. A lot of local kids shows have rules as to which bit under 12s in particular can ride in. And first ridden classes at local level do tend to judge that ponies in pelhams are less likely to be the ideal ride for a child just off the lr than one in a snaffle. The ones my daughter does only allows snaffles for lr & first ridden, don't show enough to know if that's always the rule though. Some judges do hate seeing kids in anything but snaffles though & will place accordingly.