County level showing

sidesaddlegirl

sidesaddlegirl

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11 November 2007
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Location
Wigston, Leicestershire
www.sidesaddlegirl.co.uk
The judge told another competitor and I (we were in the same class) at a show yesterday that we should be riding in county level shows. I'm taking this as a HUGE HUGE HUGE compliment as I'm always on my own at shows doing all the grooming and prep work myself, trailering myself, at home always working on things- don't have a "team" behind me so to speak, I'm my own my own all the time as my OH and the rest of my family isn't horsey at all and hate coming to shows with me. The judge is also someone who knows his stuff and who I respect.
I would like to move up to county level but what to expect? What sort of prep work should I be doing?? Maybe not this summer, but something to work on for next summer? My TB will be 20 next year and the judge said we should definitely do veterans as well. I only ride side saddle too, I don't ride astride due to my hip (I still have my old tan Stubben jumping saddle which is green with mold due to not being used in years, lol) but do judges ride at county level? Will be a loner at shows work against me??
Talk to me about county level showing :D
 
Tell us a bit more about the class you were in, how many in the class, what level show it was, what was the judge's ' specialism'? What class/es would you be doing at county level?
I too have had to do absolutely everything on my own & know how enjoyable & satisfying it is especially when you do well. It has always been fun but it is very hard work. I went from RC shows to Agricultural shows, never actually did a County Show, but did get to HOYS & won.
You can do all the prep on your own but on competition days it is helpful to have company, not necessarily a groom / helper, just another person to remind you to collect your prize money before you go home. I was so used to not getting prize money at RC shows that I went home without it after my first prize winning class at Agricultural show!
PS I used to do side saddle classes. They're even harder to do on your own! & yes judges do usually ride the horses in showing classes.
 
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I do riding club and local level showing as I've got to fit everything in with 40 hour work week and family commitments, it was in the Style and Appearance class, there was about 8 in the class? I thought about doing the veterans, side saddle classes, maybe hack as my TB is quite fine but of course, if the judge rides, that will limit me as I won't have a groom to come in the ring and help me and I don't fancy buying an astride saddle that will never get used except for judges riding in it. I think there will be more cons than pros for me to be honest but it was nice to be complemented, lol.
 
With regards to being alone, I went to my first county show last summer and loved it! I too am always alone and was the only one without a groom when it came to stripping them off! But I wasn't bothered as pony was very well behaved and it was a good fun day :)
 
The veteran horse society has a championship show, in Buckinghamshire so not a million miles from you, the schedule seems to have a great range of classes including several sidesaddle, that would be something to aim for and probably a better option than county shows which may not have much for you.

link to the website
http://www.veteran-horse-society.co.uk/vhs-showing-series/showing.html

link to the schedule although it comes out upside down so is not easy to read!!

http://www.veteran-horse-society.co.uk/VeteranHorseSociety/2015-VHS-Champs-Schedule-booklet.pdf
 
I must say I thought you were riding county standard already, I'm amazed you haven't as you are clearly very polished!

A class at county will either be astride or SS, if SS and if there is a ride judge they will be experienced in side saddle riding, if not exclusively a SS class I cant imagine they would entertain someone mounted SS so the class would be astride.

If veteran classes allowed someone mounted SS (and you'd need to check) you may be ok as they don't often have ride judges

If you have a tenner to spare I would highly recommend joining The Show Ring forum (£10 will get you a lifetiime membership) they are an incredibly helpful and welcoming group and several ride SS with at least one SS rider having a veteran horse

If you decide to go for it and need a hand let me know as I attend many shows in the Midlands just to watch
 
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a show to aim for may be Royal London which is held near Rugby, local shows often have RL qualifiers, its a nice show with friendly people
 
There used to be side saddle equitation classes at most County level shows but am not so sure about now. Are you a member of he Side Saddle Assiciation? They may have a list of shows. Also Concours de Elegance classes could be another option? Good Luck!
 
Have a look on the SSA website - they do a range of classes which are great fun but you do have to be very nit-picky about your turnout! Equitation would be a good one to start with, concours is also good fun.
 
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