Calling all showing peeps!

[chestnuttyy]

I've never entered a showing class in my life (despite riding and competing DR and SJ for over 20 years!) however following an injury (mine, not the ned) I've had to stop jumping until I've had an op and recovered.

To keep us busy I'm entering lots of dressage comps but was toying with the idea of entering some local showing classes. However, I know nothing!!

My horse is a 15.3 chestnut TB, would I be able to take him in riding horse? Or anything else? Also what would I/ the horse have to be turned out in?

Any help much appreciated! Xx

 

[Moomin1]

Really hard to say without pics, but if he is TB then your best bet would be entering him as a riding horse or hack type. He will need a coloured show browband, and preferably you would have a navy show jacket (but black will do if it's only local showing and you don't want to fork out any more money), and velvet hat. Again, with the hat, if it's only local showing, then some people just use what they have rather than forking out, but I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to turnout so I hate seeing anything other than a velvet hat. Long black boots, a numnah to match saddle colour, though again, if you don't have one you can get away with going without a numnah at all provided of course it's not going to affect your horse in any way. Girth to match saddle colour too. Bridle wise you can use a snaffle with plain cavesson, or if you have one, a double bridle is preferable if the horse goes nicely in it. Leather gloves and show cane (again, not absolutely vital though).

You could also do things like best turned out, ridden showing, equitation, and some in hand classes.

 

[be positive]

Your jacket should be tweed for riding horse, there are not many hack classes so probably best to aim for RH, tweed is correct for other options such as riding club horse, although that usually requires some jumping.

 

[chestnuttyy]

Your jacket should be tweed for riding horse, there are not many hack classes so probably best to aim for RH, tweed is correct for other options such as riding club horse, although that usually requires some jumping.

Ah, hadn't realised ridden horse involves jumping that rather scuppers my plan!

I have a navy jacket and hat that I used for dressage so I could wear them. What shirt/tie would I wear with those? And what colour browband for a ginger? Am I right in thinking breeches should be beige?

Sorry for all the questions!

 

[humblepie]

A riding horse class doesn't involve jumping but a riding club horse class would do. You should wear your tweed with a navy hat. Blue is only for hacks and as be positive says very few hack classes unaffiliated. Breeches yes beige or slightly yellow. A pastel coloured shirt and tie to pick out the colours either of your tie or flecks in your jacket.

To be honest, whilst important to look correct particularly at a higher level, don't get too hung up about it. Clean, smart and tidy and the horse going properly is more important. The charity shop can be your friend for shirts and ties.

Depending on the build of your horse you can do riding horse, competition horse (if you can find any), best condition, turn out, etc etc depending on what level.

Beware it gets addictive.

Mainly have fun.

 

[chestnuttyy]

Also here's a pic (scuse dodgy leg position!)

 

[humblepie]

Gosh he is lovely. I am useless on colours for browbands so will let someone else suggest on that. His tail will need to be shorter for showing that dressage and if you get serious about showing then ideally less high cut boots for you. If you look on the ROR website in the showing gallery that will give some help.

 

[chestnuttyy]

Gosh he is lovely. I am useless on colours for browbands so will let someone else suggest on that. His tail will need to be shorter for showing that dressage and if you get serious about showing then ideally less high cut boots for you. If you look on the ROR website in the showing gallery that will give some help.

Thank you I think he's lovely too bit I'm rather biased!! I'll have a look at the ROR website for some inspiration and will have to borrow/ buy some tweed! Will my hat be ok? It's navy velvet but one of the lower profile Charles Owen ones, rather than a traditional velvet hat.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[be positive]

He is lovely and a true riding horse type, I like a bright blue on chestnut, possibly bright blue, navy and white with a touch of gold trim, you could have a navy and gold tie with a cream/ lemon shirt to complete the look.
Beige breeches, you will be fine with navy but if you get hooked investing in a tweed will be worth it, brown gloves are correct whatever jacket you wear.

 

[chestnuttyy]

Where does one purchase these jazzy browbands?!

 

[humblepie]

Yes in the short term your hat with be fine but if you start aiming high then get a more showing type one.

Re the browbands, there are lots of companies doing them ranging from around £30 to £100!! I have got a couple from Cornerstone recently - they are reasonably priced so if you don't like the colour you have not spent too much!

Designer Browbands ones are lovely though more expensive.

 

[be positive]

Where does one purchase these jazzy browbands?!

The choice is vast, there are plenty on ebay if you search, adding a link which will show you some of the many options available, prices are variable from £15 up to £100 plus depending on how fancy you want to be.

http://www.prettyponies.co.uk/browbands-and-buttonholes-1/classic.html

 

[chestnuttyy]

Oh gosh, very pretty!! I can see why this gets addictive!

 

[chestnuttyy]

One thing I forgot to ask. What are you expected to do for the individual 'show' in ridden horse?

 

[humblepie]

It very much depends on the show as to whether there is a ride judge or if you do an individual show. Most local shows with be a show not a ride judge.

For an individual show, leave the line up, walk away from judge on straight line, go into trot, trot the long side in front of judge, change the rein across and as you hit the long side go into canter, then change the rein, canter on the other rein extend/gallop and back to trot and halt so judge can see the horse. Keep it fairly short and simple.

If likely to do classes where a judge may ride, get your horse used to other people riding, have your stirrups big enough for man sized feet, stirrup leathers that go short enough or long enough for different people and if likely to get a male ride judge with a longer jacket, that horse is used to having a jacket come down over the back of the saddle.

Enjoy!! Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Have shown at local and then serious level for a number of years doing all sorts of classes from turn out to HOYS.