Conformationally how should he get on in hand?

[Girlracer]

Well taking everything a judge may be looking for into consideration, how do you think he'll do? Only a few weeks before ex-racepony's first show, and i'm not expecting a lot particularly not in the ridden class it is really all for experience. But of course it would be nice if the judge liked him!

So in a racehorse to riding horse class IN-HAND, how 'nice' is he? And what will the judge be looking for?

(i know i'm on board but it's the best side on standing square photo i have)

And any tips on in-hand showing greatly appreciated, because i've never even watched an in-hand class!

 

[zoelouisem]

Hi, for showing they'd probaly like to see more top line and weight on him, although im not saying hes skinny but in the show world they like them to have a fair bit of weight even in the racehorse classes.
he seems sweet though a bit more topline and a summer coat and hell look lovely.

 

[Kokopelli]

Not great on confo but agree about more topline. Try and get him working long and low to get him using his muscles. Lots of hillwork and lunging especially over poles. It takes ages for it to build but worth it in the end

 

[PogoPumpkinBecky]

hi

i'm not great on conformation but i can't see anything obvious! For showing i guess they would want a bit more weight on him, but as a tb coming out of winter i would say he looks pretty good!

in normal inhand classes you go in walk round (on the right rein!) then the steward will stop the line at a certain point and each competitor will trot round to the rear (whilst i am waiting i always make sure my pony is standing up nicely incase the judge looks over!). then you will walk round again and either get pulled in in any order or in the order the judge likes most. the steward will tell you when to go to the judge, stand your horse up for the judge the best you can then when the judge has finished they will ask you to walk away turn around(turn the horse away from you ) and trot back, don't start trotting until you have got your horse straight and trot straight at the judge they should move! keep on going straight so the judge can see the horses movement from behind aswel! then if you get the chance nod to the judge or something, depends if you find the right moment!!

hope this has helped and i haven't confused you! its quite simple really!

good luck

 

[Cop-Pop]

My best tip for in hand showing is wear footwear with good grip (can you tell who has slid over while showing ) - the judge takes a dim view when you end up in a heap even if the grass is slippery

Judges look for different things tbh - the best thing to do is get him out there and get some experience, it doesn't take long to pick things up especially if the judge is a helpful one. When I started showing I didn't have a clue so I asked the judges in my classes for advice, its very rare for them to turn down requests like that

 

[Girlracer]

Thanks for the replys, all really helpful! Un-fortunately I've been doing long and low, lunging, pole work etc 3+times a week since September, and that there is the current result he raced as a 2yo then had some time to grow up at a friends and had a lot of time off before coming to me to start his riding horse career in September. So understandably he's still VERY racehorse-esque!

He should of put on some weight by the show and summer coat should also be through, he is pretty fit so it's a fine line between fattening him up for showing whilst having him fit for all the stuff we do! Maybe even have a little more topline by the show to as he's finally started working quite well under saddle as well as on the lunge, rather than performing his best giraffe impression! But having looked at photos of him from a few months ago his topline is massively improved already

Thanks again for all your help, I'm looking forward to it!

 

[stroppy]

none of your pictures have him standing truly square, please teach him how to, it will improve your results

 

[BBP]

From what I have seen of showing (and I am no pro, so I definitely stand to be corrected), when you are standing your horse up for the judge to look at, try to stand him so that all 4 legs are on show, rather than square as you would do for dressage. The judge wants to be able to see all limbs at once. The two on the side that the judge is standing on should be furthest forward and back (slightly, not really strung out), and the two on the side away from the judge should be closer - so in the top picture, the judge ought to be on the far side of him for that leg order to be correct, but he shouldn't be standing with all his legs so underneath him. The third picture would be correct order if judge was on same side as the camera, only again not with forelegs so far under him.

So similar to what stroppy says, get him used to you asking for a step back or a step forwards when standing so that you can adjust how he stands according to where the judge is. (Thankfully it is easier to get them to stand like this than it is a square halt!)

Please please can someone tell Girlracer if that is complete codswallop! It's just what I have picked up from watching.

 

[MissTyc]

KatPT, it's ahwat I was taught as well, many moons ago.
These days I see a lot of horses being presented fully square thought, so I don't know what the norm is now. If eveyone else is fully dressage square then I think I would also present my horse like this as it otherwise just looks untidy.