***Daughter and Dolly-showing/qualifying/membership help needed***

I agree with the above poster. Pony is obviously wonderful and a mother's dream but probably not going to get a look in at national level. If your child is desperate to give it a go, then by all means give it a go but be warned of the expense of it all. Likely both child and pony will need a complete new set of togs to meet the exacting standards of the show ring at that level. When you start factoring the cost of a new saddle, bridle and show jacket it starts to get a bit ouch! unless you've got plenty of money to throw at it with out expecting any kind of return.
 
rachaelstar said:
I'd enter the show, turn up and see how you do before joining anything or getting height certificates. The showing world are a very close knitted community and dont take kindly to newbies/amateurs. This is what I will be doing anyway, have first nps show on 18th may :) do you have a pic of dolly side on so we can look what she would fit into better? :)
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I agree with the first part of this in that you should really try a few before you join anything at this level. Nice enough pony but the under neck muscle possibly gives away the fact that he probably does not go as well as he should!

However, do not agree with the "don't take kindly" - utter rubbish! If your pony is good enough to win it will win!

Why don't you try to find a showing clinic somewhere near you. What is your area for NPS BSPS? Try contacting them and see if they have any lined up - it will give you a huge insight into what you need to do and you don't have to arrive dressed up! Or find a local producer and seek advice from them. However good your instructor is - they will never compare!
 
Agree with above posters, dolly won't be good enough to compete with the pros but why don't you try qualifying shows for things like royal London, equifest? 'proper' showing is very expensive. Where abouts are you? As may be able to give you some qualifying shows to go too :)
 
You don't have to aim for HOYS. It is good to take advantage of the generally good courses and the preparation involved in affiliated showing. She won't look out of place doing nursery stakes, but at 12.2 she is an in between height for SHP and not really the type, so I wouldn't bother with that. Have fun.
 
be positive said:
The pony is sweet but not really of HOYS quality, which I think you are aware of, there is no need for her to be in a stud book, as long as she has a passport, she is of unknown breeding so cannot be registered as a "breed" and as a SHP or WHP it does not matter, just put unknown on any forms you have to fill in.

Search for a Star is a route for amateur combinations to get to HOYS, the one at Rugby 19th May is the nearest to you, missed the one yesterday in Blackburn, it may be worth a look on the site. www.search4astar.org.uk

Do not be put off having a go at the ordinary qualifiers for summer or winter champs, yes the pony will need to be turned out correctly as well as daughter but your instructor must feel it is worth a go and can guide you through, get that tail pulled and trimmed for a start:)
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hahaha tail was pulled a few weeks ago, but daughter did say at weekend that it could do with a trim!!! Wish my hair grew as fast as Dollys!!!

You're right - I know Dolly's not hoys quality (well she is to us, but you know what I mean) but I just want to give them a dream for this year. Seems many of the champs are miles from us. Perhaps should stick to the North West Open Champs, but that's October. Ohhhhhhh :(

springtime13 said:
I agree with the above poster. Pony is obviously wonderful and a mother's dream but probably not going to get a look in at national level. If your child is desperate to give it a go, then by all means give it a go but be warned of the expense of it all. Likely both child and pony will need a complete new set of togs to meet the exacting standards of the show ring at that level. When you start factoring the cost of a new saddle, bridle and show jacket it starts to get a bit ouch! unless you've got plenty of money to throw at it with out expecting any kind of return.
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Pony is a ****** and quite temperamental, but very good at shows! Honestly, from a jumping point of view, the speed and scope this pony has is amazing, and that would be the obvious road to go down. BUT she has a dirty stop from hell. And that puts the stops on everything! I'm sure you've all seen the type.

I'd factored in new togs for daughter (not for Dolly :o) travel etc.. entry fees, memberships etc....but I don't have an endless pot. I just thought it would be a nice "one hit chance" to see how they got on. It's getting quite complicated now and I don't want to set them up to have the floor wiped with them.

Perhaps I should have a rethink :(

mcnaughty said:
I agree with the first part of this in that you should really try a few before you join anything at this level. Nice enough pony but the under neck muscle possibly gives away the fact that he probably does not go as well as he should!

However, do not agree with the "don't take kindly" - utter rubbish! If your pony is good enough to win it will win!

Why don't you try to find a showing clinic somewhere near you. What is your area for NPS BSPS? Try contacting them and see if they have any lined up - it will give you a huge insight into what you need to do and you don't have to arrive dressed up! Or find a local producer and seek advice from them. However good your instructor is - they will never compare!
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Thanks, good advice. We occasionally have showing clinics at our yard, which are good but we missed the last one.

Daughter has started getting Dolly working correctly in the last 6 months - but you're right, that under neck muscle has built up over many many years and there isn't going to be a quick fix.

Thanks for your help and advice :)

rachaelstar said:
Agree with above posters, dolly won't be good enough to compete with the pros but why don't you try qualifying shows for things like royal London, equifest? 'proper' showing is very expensive. Where abouts are you? As may be able to give you some qualifying shows to go too :)
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Hi, thanks for your advice. Problem is the bigger shows are a bit far for us.

We're in Manchester (Oldham actually) - any help gratefully received.

ozpoz said:
You don't have to aim for HOYS. It is good to take advantage of the generally good courses and the preparation involved in affiliated showing. She won't look out of place doing nursery stakes, but at 12.2 she is an in between height for SHP and not really the type, so I wouldn't bother with that. Have fun.
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Hi! We wasn't particularly aiming for HOYS (although it was a dream of daughters) - the show in question has lots of different qualifiers, so was just going to give them a chance. I'm a bit off the idea now.

The SHP class in question was 128cm and under, so I thought she'd be perfect for that :confused:

Feeling a bit low now. Got daughter's hopes up I think.

:(
 
What is she like over rustic fences? Working hunter pony? (no idea what heights they'd have to jump etc)

Don't feel disheartened. Hmmm, manchester is rather a way away from me so can't help on that, someone above posted the closest to you was rugby so presumed you were by me :p is she a native x? Could you try unregistered m and m classes?
 
rachaelstar said:
What is she like over rustic fences? Working hunter pony? (no idea what heights they'd have to jump etc)

Don't feel disheartened. Hmmm, manchester is rather a way away from me so can't help on that, someone above posted the closest to you was rugby so presumed you were by me :p is she a native x? Could you try unregistered m and m classes?
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She's got a great jump over any fences, but a dirty stop regardless! Daughter is working really hard to "de-spook" her but it's definately a work in progress. She did a BSPS WH show recently and ended up hitting a shed!!! :cool: (daughter lost reins as Dolly jumped way too high as she didn't like the hay bale :rolleyes: and Dolly went one way, daughter went the other way!!) She did however come 3rd in the previous class!

Heights of fences isn't usually an issue either. They're working on 75cm courses at the moment, but have jumped up to a metre. It's the rushing and dirty stops that are the problem, hence why we were looking at flatwork classes.

I think the person above mentioned Rugby as it's the nearest "search for a star" comp coming up (missed the nearer to us one last week!!!)

We think Dolly is Welsh x New Forest - never thought of doing M & M classes with her, thought that was for purer bred ponies?

Thanks again for your help. :)
 
Hi Redmone, as you know, I've told you about my stepson and Harvey, who won every local working hunter nursery stakes they entered (about 2' fences), yet they wouldn't make it to HOYS either. They did the North west championships one year - it will give you a good indication of how she would do at bigger level showing - there were a lot of show pony types there.

In the meantime there are lots of good level local shows that she can have fun at..

ps. Don't be down about it. Daughter is having a whale of a time with Dolly this year. She's got loads going on.
 
Honey08 said:
Hi Redmone, as you know, I've told you about my stepson and Harvey, who won every local working hunter nursery stakes they entered (about 2' fences), yet they wouldn't make it to HOYS either. They did the North west championships one year - it will give you a good indication of how she would do at bigger level showing - there were a lot of show pony types there.

In the meantime there are lots of good level local shows that she can have fun at..

ps. Don't be down about it. Daughter is having a whale of a time with Dolly this year. She's got loads going on.
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I know. I just wanted something special for them to aim for.

And for what it's worth, I bet Harvey and his jockey would have made it to HOYS. They were amazing. I've seen the photos!!!

Thanks Honey. Feeling a bit sorry for myself today xxx
 
Don't feel low! - Why don't you try to aim for Equifest (Peterborough) as a stepping stone for HOYS!! It is a great show with loads of atmosphere and really friendly, like-minded peeps! I'm going again this year - take a look at their web site. You don't even have to qualify - check out the photos on Equinational. http://www.equinational.co.uk/2012/08/30/the-equifest-extravaganza-2012/

Equifest is at a level somewhere between local shows and NPS/BSPS so you won't feel "outnumbered"!!

Just a couple of tips to get that muscle sorted out - try putting hay on the ground rather than a high haynet and use a passoa to build a better topline.
 
Getting to the NW Champs would be a big deal too hun. You get twenty/thirty kids in the qualifier classes, and only two qualify.. When S went he was in another league once there - much showier world, and he looked like Mr PC pony!

Stop being hard on yourself and pat yourself on the back for what you have done...

(and tell me when your half term week is, so you can bring Dolly and D over and you can ride out on Robbie with us..:))
 
The horse gossip forum would be a good place to find advice on societies and all the zillions of other things you need to know about showing. :)
 
Showing isn't for everyone, we only did a little with my son as it's not really my thing but we had a very nice SHP type but my OH absolutely hated it and son wasn't overly keen despite some success so we didn't even to to the finals we qualified for. Dolly is obviously a much loved pony and your daughter has come on in leaps and bounds with her but I do wonder if there are other things they might get more out of this year. Have you thought about dressage and doing some of the BD BYRDS training as I seem to recall D and D have done some inter dressage, or are you involved with Pony Club? At this time of year many PC's are gearing up for summer camps, training for selection for interbranch competitions in dressage, show jumping and eventing at all levels from junior to open as well as normal rallies so you could get a lot of activities from your membership.
 
I would look at having a holiday at Equifest. http://www.equifest.org.uk/
There are shows where you can qualify for the Championship but you can go and enter loads of classes with having to be measured or join anything. Its a big show experience but without all the stress,evening performance indoors, lovely clean tiolets and showers, good security and not far from Peterbrough so the unhorsey can find laods to do.
We had PC ponies and would go for fun. With Dolly I would look at the working hunter rings, PC pony, performance pony,Concours D’Elegance Riders 16 yrs & under. Will give you lots of things to go at with no NPS costs. Have fun
 
How about going all out for PC mini teams/ doing some British Dressage? Or the RC equitation type classes?

Showing is so subjective, and I'm not sure if Dolly fits neatly enough into any of their little boxes, despite being such a star. Do they run Marriages classes any more? That was more about the partnership than the pony's conformation/ looks...
 
2nd the equifest suggestion and its not far from me so I can come cheer the D's on :D. You could make a little holiday out of it and do all 4 days as there is bound to be something on each day for them to do. It also had unaff and aff sj they could do to break up the showing.
 
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions everyone, sorry I can't quote individually but on tablet again!

Had a really good chat with daughter's instructor today. She advised that daughter has a good year at riding club level. She pointed out that as daughter will only be 13 next February, she can still have next year competing Dolly too. I was panicking that this is their last year and we need to do something special to make it count. I feel much better knowing the clock isn't ticking quite so much.

Instructor also said that its better to get them out their and try to win a few classes, rather than pushing them out of their league and knocking their confidence. Also reminded us both that it's all about the fun. At the same time as all this, instructor probably got Dolly going the best ever. Most consistent head carriage ever and very very responsive. instructor is awesome!!!

Came home and had a big chat with daughter, which was made a lot easier by instructor! We've decided to look at equifest and trailblazers qualifers. Same nice venue as big show was going to be at.

Oh, and daughter wants to take Dolly to racing school and join the pony racing society!!! She's a funny girl!!!

Does that sound a bit more realistic? And a bit more......us........?

I'm so trying to do my best for my girls, I feel so lost with it sometimes. Scared of letting them miss out of something in this precious time.

Dafthoss-I'll definately look at equifest. But goodness the thought of you and daughter and probably jtfd getting together would be worrying!!!!

Honey-youre such a star, and I'll be in touch re half term!!!!

Be positive - thank you for all your advice

And everyone else, thanks for helping me with this. Its been a hard day today and I've not been myself. I always appreciate your support.

Xxxx
 
redmone said:
I'm so trying to do my best for my girls, I feel so lost with it sometimes. Scared of letting them miss out of something in this precious time.
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Don't be silly. You never ever stop taking them places and helping them. You're amazing. My parents did 25% of what you do when I was your daughter's age, and I thought they were fab and had the best time...

ps. Now she's got going jumping etc, I think she would find showing quite boring actually. She'd have more fun working towards doing XC classes later in the year..
 
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Awww thanks Honey. You're very kind.

She's "making do" a bit with showing. Because whilst she's doing good with the jumping, Dollys not very consistent due to the stops. Perhaps she should keep working in that direction. I thought she'd like working hunter more (rustic interesting jumps, and showing) but she's a bit put off due to the shed incident! It was just bad luck, but Dolly needs a lot more practice as she really didn't know what to do in the showing bit-she just wanted to jump!!!

Funny, after nearly 3 years you'd think I would be past panicking about stuff. Something about showing that really stresses me out!!!!

And yes, she's VERY interested in the xc ideas!!!! X
 
She's allowed a bit of a confidence dip after being chucked at a shed! Just give her a breather, let her find her feet again, then have some fun over the summer and see where it takes you.. I think she will go down the WH route too.
 
Its suits both of them really. Some people have said that dolly may get a little more honest doing workers and xc. Don't know how but we live in hope.

Awww poor pony, I hope I don't paint her in a bad light, she's a good girl really just.....spirited!!!! Lol!!!! She was brill tonight really tried her hardest. Makes me laugh, she usually gets a couple of pony nuts off instructor at end of lesson. Was walks round on a long rein looking hopefully at instructor.

Tonight instructor headed for door (behind which nuts are kept!) And Dolly (on long rein) pricked up ears and trotted across arena to her.

Ever so cute!!!!! ; ) xxxx
 
Rachaelstar you really want a neurotic over worrying fuss pot like me as a mum???!!!

Ah go on then, the more the merrier!!!! ; )
 
Well, my lovely mother asked if I still had a horse the other day...not sure what she thinks I do every hour of the day! So yes a neurotic horsey mother will do nicely :D as long as you pay the horsey bills ;)
 
Me me me adopt me too Redmone :D :D - my mother and father were (and still are) actively anti - horses, ambivalence I could have coped with, the negativity and constant griping grated on me as a kid and still does now and I'm 30 now!!!

If my mother had known what a bag of chaff, or a hoof pick looked like as a kid I'd have been over the moon! I've said it before but ill say it again you should realise how often you go above and beyond for d & d and they are a credit to you and your oh!

I'm sure your daughter would be perfectly happy with hooning around the fields, jumping logs and going on horsey picnic trips with dolly this summer if that was all she could do! I know you want her to have an unforgettable couple of years, but some of the pure joy of being around ponies as a kid is having the freedom to gallop, muck about with friends, go camping etc..

I'm not saying she shouldn't have a crack at showing, she may love it! But I can tell you that even though my parents couldn't have been less interested I still had awesome summers spent playing ponies as a kid! - I never entered a competition until my late teens ( not for want of begging on my behalf though! ;) )

Anyway I guess I'm just saying that if you don't get to HOYS or a showing comp, it's not the end of the world- there's plenty of time for serious competing and the pressure that comes with it later in life ! :) sorry if that sounds like I'm lecturing - I really don't mean it like that! I would have given everything (and part of me still longs for that smiling face on the sidelines, or the gentle comiserations in the lorry home) to have parents who supported my hobby and ambitions even a teeny tiny percentage of the amount you support your daughter! :D
 
the more proficient your daughter gets with jumping the less Dolly will put in her dirty stops. Perhaps D is moving forwards just a little too soon or some other movement is unbalancing Dolly before the jump. As Dolly gets used to D being in charge and obedience becomes a habit the problems should disappear.
Think how far they have both come already.:cool:
Is your daughter any good at running or swimming? There is always Pony Club Tetrathlon if you really want a challenge.:eek:
 
redmone said:
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions everyone, sorry I can't quote individually but on tablet again!

Had a really good chat with daughter's instructor today. She advised that daughter has a good year at riding club level. She pointed out that as daughter will only be 13 next February, she can still have next year competing Dolly too. I was panicking that this is their last year and we need to do something special to make it count. I feel much better knowing the clock isn't ticking quite so much.

Instructor also said that its better to get them out their and try to win a few classes, rather than pushing them out of their league and knocking their confidence. Also reminded us both that it's all about the fun. At the same time as all this, instructor probably got Dolly going the best ever. Most consistent head carriage ever and very very responsive. instructor is awesome!!!

Came home and had a big chat with daughter, which was made a lot easier by instructor! We've decided to look at equifest and trailblazers qualifers. Same nice venue as big show was going to be at.

Oh, and daughter wants to take Dolly to racing school and join the pony racing society!!! She's a funny girl!!!

Does that sound a bit more realistic? And a bit more......us........?

I'm so trying to do my best for my girls, I feel so lost with it sometimes. Scared of letting them miss out of something in this precious time.

Dafthoss-I'll definately look at equifest. But goodness the thought of you and daughter and probably jtfd getting together would be worrying!!!!

Honey-youre such a star, and I'll be in touch re half term!!!!

Be positive - thank you for all your advice

And everyone else, thanks for helping me with this. Its been a hard day today and I've not been myself. I always appreciate your support.

Xxxx
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If you do want to do the showing thing equifest is much more friendly but still has the big show atmosphere (and shops!). YP has qualified in the past (not been) but not all the classes need qualifying for so you can just turn up and have a go. If you fancy doing it, send me a message as the schedule is bonkers and takes quite some reading and working out :o.

Theres also a small xc course a few mins away so we could meet up and spend a few hours xc schooling if miniRM fancies it? Theres loads of stuff perfect for first timers there and all brown jumps so no wall or pigs :cool:. YP liked xc for that exact reason until he recently got a lot better about fillers.

I think rc stuff sounds right up their street, have you seen the new rc grass roots stuff? that would be perfect for dolly.
 
rachaelstar said:
Well, my lovely mother asked if I still had a horse the other day...not sure what she thinks I do every hour of the day! So yes a neurotic horsey mother will do nicely :D as long as you pay the horsey bills ;)
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PMSL!!!! :D

BlairandAzria said:
Me me me adopt me too Redmone :D :D - my mother and father were (and still are) actively anti - horses, ambivalence I could have coped with, the negativity and constant griping grated on me as a kid and still does now and I'm 30 now!!!

If my mother had known what a bag of chaff, or a hoof pick looked like as a kid I'd have been over the moon! I've said it before but ill say it again you should realise how often you go above and beyond for d & d and they are a credit to you and your oh!

I'm sure your daughter would be perfectly happy with hooning around the fields, jumping logs and going on horsey picnic trips with dolly this summer if that was all she could do! I know you want her to have an unforgettable couple of years, but some of the pure joy of being around ponies as a kid is having the freedom to gallop, muck about with friends, go camping etc..

I'm not saying she shouldn't have a crack at showing, she may love it! But I can tell you that even though my parents couldn't have been less interested I still had awesome summers spent playing ponies as a kid! - I never entered a competition until my late teens ( not for want of begging on my behalf though! ;) )

Anyway I guess I'm just saying that if you don't get to HOYS or a showing comp, it's not the end of the world- there's plenty of time for serious competing and the pressure that comes with it later in life ! :) sorry if that sounds like I'm lecturing - I really don't mean it like that! I would have given everything (and part of me still longs for that smiling face on the sidelines, or the gentle comiserations in the lorry home) to have parents who supported my hobby and ambitions even a teeny tiny percentage of the amount you support your daughter! :D[/QUOTE

Awww thank you!!! Firstly, how can you be ANTI horses???!!!! They're AWESOME!!!! OK, you can join my adoption group....!!!

Secondly, I know what chaff AND a hoof pick is! AND I can plait up and know what diagonals are etc..! YEY!!!!

I know Daughter would be happy just bombing about. I'd just got it into my head that they needed something mega this year as it's their last one competiting properly together. Now I know it's not, I feel a lot better!!!! I had forgotten that age is at 1st Jan - which next year, 1st of Jan she will still be 12 :D

I'm less fussed about getting them to somewhere like HOYS and more interested in them just competing in that "big arena" place! Actually I had a really good idea last night. They went to Aintree Equestrian for a fun day - and that really did have the "big arena" feel. I'm going to look for a show there for them - actually there is a big showing comp in July - I might take them to that - bet they'd love it!!

Think the "next pony" might have to be bought with a bit more breeding etc.. in mind though as I can imagine daughter is going to be quite competitive as she gets older. :p

digger66 said:
the more proficient your daughter gets with jumping the less Dolly will put in her dirty stops. Perhaps D is moving forwards just a little too soon or some other movement is unbalancing Dolly before the jump. As Dolly gets used to D being in charge and obedience becomes a habit the problems should disappear.
Think how far they have both come already.:cool:
Is your daughter any good at running or swimming? There is always Pony Club Tetrathlon if you really want a challenge.:eek:
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I think you're bang on here. Dolly isn't half as bad as she used to be (in fact, I probably give a worse impression of her than she is) - she just sometimes bombs around courses, which is fine unless daughter wants to be steady (eg for WH) but the downside of when she does that, is that if she puts a stop in, daughter is likely to be airbourne! There was a time when daughter just couldn't get her over some fillers. Now she has been armed with the techniques to get her over anything - but Dolly takes some kicking if she doesn't like them, and does still try to stop. I'm sure you're right - the more they do, the better they will hopefully get together. :D Thank you x

dafthoss said:
If you do want to do the showing thing equifest is much more friendly but still has the big show atmosphere (and shops!). YP has qualified in the past (not been) but not all the classes need qualifying for so you can just turn up and have a go. If you fancy doing it, send me a message as the schedule is bonkers and takes quite some reading and working out :o.

Theres also a small xc course a few mins away so we could meet up and spend a few hours xc schooling if miniRM fancies it? Theres loads of stuff perfect for first timers there and all brown jumps so no wall or pigs :cool:. YP liked xc for that exact reason until he recently got a lot better about fillers.

I think rc stuff sounds right up their street, have you seen the new rc grass roots stuff? that would be perfect for dolly.
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That all sounds great! I WILL look into the equifest side of things, definately. And you know she'd love to meet up and do XC!!!!

I don't know anything about the RC grass roots stuff - what's that?? :)
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