Classes for Summer Show - Suggestions please

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zoeshiloh

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We all go to shows at this time of year and think "why isn't there are a class for...."

So, I want people's suggestions - we are going to try and have a variety of classes, TGCA qualifiers, Racehorse classes, etc, but also lots of fun classes. So, what classes would people like to see at a show that they feel are currently lacking?
 
It would be nice to have a 'First Show, newbie or only just broken section'
Rewarding people for getting out there - but recognising that babies need time to get used to it all!

I realise experience and practice are all well and good - But if i got a rosette on my 1st day out it would cheer me up no end! :D
 
oh - not that im encouraging people to enter 'nutters' with any excuses that they are unsafe for a reason - all babies should be polite and lovely - but maybe not as professionally perfect as some of the other classes I have been in!

Just trying to get some ribbons here! :P
 
I would definitely have a "first timers" class. Or a class where they tell you exactly what to do so that I wont turn up and have no idea!!!!!! Lol!
 
Non registered Arab class - you can't find them anywhere

I have a beautiful Arab and the showing arabs are lucky my boy isn't registerd ;) (although I am a bit biast!!)

Proper cob class, seperate from Welshies!
 
As well as a coloured class you could have a class for other unusual colours (or lump them all into one if you don't think you will have enough entries) So roans, duns, palaminos, cremellos, albinos and spotties.

Have a veteran class for horses and ponies over 15.

A fancy dress? A handy pony? An equitition class? A best riding club horse class? Tack and turnout?

I think a first timers class is a good idea, you could make it so that it has to be a first ever show for either horse or rider to keep it low level.

You could have some more fun classes like best feathers, longest mane, prettiest pony, pony that looks most like its owner/handler (cue lots of ginger haired people with chestnut ponies).

A family pony class might be good too, pony or horse has to be ridden by two members of the family of different generations (one under 16) you could include a small fence and maybe something else to test the pony for family friendliness.
 
millitiger said:
walk and trot class would be a great idea for young horses out for experience.
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agree with millitiger, walk and trot would be great for novice or young horses/riders

Also a fancy dress class? Lots of little kids love doing things like that and also novelty classes such as prettiest eyes, best mane and tail are fairly popular.
 
In hand class judged on condition and presentation- that would be open to alot of types
Best combination - adults and children split
Youngsters in hand
Ridden youngster
You get best first ridden pony so what about best first horse?
Novice rider
 
Our biggest problem with our local shows is when they confine m&ms to registereds only - we have an unregistered fell who isn't going to pass for a hunter pony or anything else so these are the only classes she can do.

I agree a 'wobbly ridden class' would be a great concept. Could easily be run like a standard first ridden class - I would maybe specify in the schedule that rider to never have won a first in any ridden showing class. Might even want to do placed top three in any showing class, or you will end up with pothunters.

A true novice horse or pony class would also be good. I'm already sick of entering my 4 year old in a novice class when I know the other ponies in the class are mature adults who could easily (and should in my opinion) contest open classes, but are still eligible for novice because the rules are always cannot have won an open class, not cannot have won a novice class.
 
A class I've seen appearing locally and always wanted to get my daughter to compete in (but has always clashed with some jumping or other things she wants to do) is a 'showing for beginners' class where they give you scores and commentary to tell you how to improve.
 
Alllllso - Following recent news stories - How about a Lumps and Bumps class - Injuries and scars included - Judged on Rest of conformation and riding talent.

I should get back to work now... :(
 
Novice handler class? You always see novice ridden classes and junior handler classes but rarely an in hand class for adults who are new to showing. Also maybe pairs showing, ridden or in hand, either best matched pair or little and large pairs. Having separate classes for registered and unregistered M+M's is always good too. Also there are one or two shows near me, they usually have a couple of classes like bonny pony or handsome horse where every competitor gets a rosette, they are always popular with the kids and it means no-one goes home without a rosette.
 
TelH said:
Novice handler class? You always see novice ridden classes and junior handler classes but rarely an in hand class for adults who are new to showing. Also maybe pairs showing, ridden or in hand, either best matched pair or little and large pairs. Having separate classes for registered and unregistered M+M's is always good too. Also there are one or two shows near me, they usually have a couple of classes like bonny pony or handsome horse where every competitor gets a rosette, they are always popular with the kids and it means no-one goes home without a rosette.
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Pairs is a brilliant idea, love the option of best matched or little and large! We have a pair who would be a super little and large on our yard a 13hh and a 17hh both tri coloured mares.
 
Family pony (sutable for any member of the family), PC/RC pony, unregistered M&M, Wobbly ridden (first ridden for grown ups, fab idea, no cantering ion a group) and 'cobs - hogged or not'
 
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