Could you critique our county show turnout please?

shadowboy

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This is our first ridden season. We have done 2 in-hand county show seasons- and done really well. However- I've never ridden M&M county standard before so although my boy's confo is up to standard I dont know if our schooling is, so to give us the best shot I want our 'turnout' to be top knotch.
These two pics my friend took from a big RC show this weekend- it was a prep class for the Three Counties on the 14th June- so I have enough time to upgrade any tack/clothing as required.

The pony in the pics is a just turned 5 New Forest Pony. I am 5'4 so hopefully not too big- be honest if I spoil the 'presentation' with being too big I'll try and find a dinky rider for next season.

I've included a side and front on shot. (ignore the stupid faces I make!!) (p.s. I will remember to do up my top button!)



 
You look incredible smart. Think your lovely lad would suit a wider noseband.

Thank you Amymay- would you say the cheekpieces are ok width wise as I havent found a noseband that is wider but with thinish leatherwork elsewhere? I could see if there is a saddler who could make me one- or do you think he could take wider leatherwork generally?
 
Lovely pony, I would like to see him in a wider noseband, if I was being really critical a darker tweed may look less grey as an overall impression but obviously that is a major expense and dark may not suit once it is on.
He needs to build up his backend to match the front, as a 5 year old it will be weaker but plenty of hill work will help, good luck with the 3 counties and the rest of the season.

Just seen you are asking about nosebands look on www.fyldesaddleryltd.com
they will probably have a noseband to suit and if not will make one.
 
Thank you bepositive. I totally agree with the back end. I've thought he looked a bit weak in the second thigh recently it's time we ditched the schooling for a bit and found some hills! Also thanks for the link :)
 
Looking super!

Agree with a slightly darker tweed, though I wouldn't go to the expense of that unless you actually need a new one!

Can't quite see, but is your hair in a hairnet? If you have plenty of hair (Which it looks like you have, but can't tell if it is tree shadows fooling my eyes!) then a bun with the net over is a neat way of taming things!

I would put on spurs too, even dummy ones just pull the look together.

And agree with the nose band. A bit wider would look good.

If you tie your number on with something narrower than the stuff they give you then it looks a bit tidier. You can get thin coloured elastic on ebay so you can match your tweed too. something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/elastic-cotton-thread

You look quite petite, so if you wind up with a clonking great number then it can look tidier if you round the corners off.

Have a fab time, love 3 counties, if it is less wet than last year then you'll have a blast!
 
Lovely pony! In my opinion, I think you'd look nicer with a blue tweed jacket, navy tie and navy hat. I find this combo complements my grey :) also for showing ponies do you need short boots? Or is that just if you're under 18?
 
Oh dear, spurs are not permitted in ridden M&M.

I think you look very nice. Long boots are essential for an adult on a large M&M. You don't look too big at all. Nice picture IMHO.

Lovely Newfie.
 
Looking super!

Agree with a slightly darker tweed, though I wouldn't go to the expense of that unless you actually need a new one!

Can't quite see, but is your hair in a hairnet? If you have plenty of hair (Which it looks like you have, but can't tell if it is tree shadows fooling my eyes!) then a bun with the net over is a neat way of taming things!

I would put on spurs too, even dummy ones just pull the look together.

And agree with the nose band. A bit wider would look good.

If you tie your number on with something narrower than the stuff they give you then it looks a bit tidier. You can get thin coloured elastic on ebay so you can match your tweed too. something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/elastic-cotton-thread

You look quite petite, so if you wind up with a clonking great number then it can look tidier if you round the corners off.

Have a fab time, love 3 counties, if it is less wet than last year then you'll have a blast!

Thank you!
It was in a hair net- it was a velvet clip with a net underneath if that makes sense- but because my hair is dark it blends in with the tree shadows.

Will definately find a wider noseband :)

Thanks for the tips- I always feel every little counts!

Yes last year was horrid- trying to run round inhand in beige chino's they ended up brown and i didnt do him any favours as the mud was horrible. I have my fingers crossed for dry weather this year :)
 
Not much to add other than I agree with the others! Wider noseband and change your tweed to a different colour. You look very smart already, but improvements can always be made! Best of luck at the show :D
 
With that colour jacket I would maybe go for the lighter gloves. As others have said - wider noseband. Spurs are not permitted in any form in M&M so no worries about them. The only other thing is - trim the edges of your number to round them off. It will not only look neater but it will also make the number sit against your back better and move less.
 
is that a lable on your girth? (1st pic) could you try and cut it off or unstitch it???
it may just be me but its a little distracting and stands out against the brown

rest of you looks very smart :D
 
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