Dipping a toe into showing- Hack classes- advise please

nikCscott

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I've bought a new horse who was previously lightly shown in hack classes. He is the 'Hack stamp' from my inexperienced showing eye, has lovely flash paces and self carriage I've not had in any other horse.

Once fit (he's have a few months off but previously competing at Novice level dressage and from what I've seen so far with work he should definitely improve on that) I'm doing a bit of everything on him hunting, eventing true all rounder but thought I'd try taking him to a unaff showing show (equifest qual) at local competition centre in March.

I've been googling but any extra advise would be much appreciated...

Turnout me
Navy Jacket
Shirt (which colour is best?)
Tie- to match Browband (I'll go into this later)
Brown gloves (is cotton one ok?)
Cream breeches
Straight cut long boots with garters and spurs
Hair in bun (no scrunchies)
Navy velvet hat
Brown show cane

Turnout Horse
Trimmed heals, whiskers, ears
Plaited
Straight cut saddle (dressage saddle ok?- mine is brown)
Brown numnah and girth
Light weight brown bridle with coloured brow band
Bit??? See double is the correct but would a snaffle be ok at this level or at least a pelham with 2 reins- would rather not fork out for whole new specialist bridle if i'm I work out its not for me.
Oiled feet
Pulled tail banged just below hocks

Googling pictures I see the browbands tend to be the red navy gold style, its this the way to go or something slightly different to try and stand out? I do have a superstition about having red on my horses I don't know where it comes from and I realise its STUPID but it's there no less I saw this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121058076966?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 and think it would really 'zing' off his dark bay coat, but will take your advise on this and if you this its better to stick with the more traditional colours.

All advise welcomed- Thank you
 

nikCscott

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Thank you

At the moment he's really dark Bay, but judging by this photo (from prev owner) of him last year his summer coat is brighter - but hope it helps

IMG_2686_zps92bea62b.jpg


Advise on the biting question too would be much appreciated..... Thank you
 
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nikCscott

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The browband isn't really 'big' enough I don't think...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RED-CREAM...Horse_Wear_Equipment&var=&hash=item51a08cb686
^^That's what Reg wears, and it is still small in comparison to everyone else!

The rest sounds very smart though, good luck!

Is red the way to go though do you think? I see the same browband in gold and green http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREAM-BROWN-AND-GOLD-SUPREME-CORNERSTONE-BROWBAND-VELVET-SHOWING-BROWBAND-/250967984295?pt=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&var&hash=item3a6edb88a7&_uhb=1

What do you think?
 

Jesstickle

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red white and blue is the one everyone uses (for good reason I think) something like this

http://www.prestigebrowbands.co.uk/Browbands/Pages/Red,_White_&_Blue_Browbands.html#2

And I like green for chestnuts and very bright bays (the yellowy kind) like this

http://www.prestigebrowbands.co.uk/Browbands/Pages/Green_Browbands.html#3

If you don't have much white on the face you probably want a browband with white or silver to give a little lift.


I don't much like diamonte so would probably go for one without personally though :eek:

I'd just go with red white and blue. It might be a bit safe but it's the easiest to do as you only have to find a red tie and you can buy them anywhere :p

I don't have any coloured ones which aren't either red white an blue or green ( my 138 pony was ginger so all hers were green really!)
 

Lolo

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That's nice, but on a bay I don't think it would stand out that much? Dunno... The browband thing amuses and appalls me in equal measure- we're hardcore PC people on the plain tack front so this showing malarkey makes me a bit :O
 
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Red, navy and white/silver is the way to go with browbands no matter the colour of horse. It's traditional.

Shirt - off white but not bright yellow - more pastal/pale yellow.
Tie to match browband.

If you are only planning on doing localish stuff then your saddle will be fine but make sure your numnah is very close fitting and that your stirrups and leathers will accomodate taller, shorter, bigger/smaller footed riders as the judge rides. You'll not find many Hack classes at local level so you will more often than not end up in Riding horse classes.

Bits - If you horse goes well in the snaffle then go out in that to start with until you are more settled with your horse. Then go onto a pelham. You can get show pelhams which have all the leather work and look of a double bridle but have a single mouth piece. On your horses head I would have a dainty bridle with a delicate rolled noseband.

Hacks must be exceptionally well schooled. They should be ridden without effort. You think of something to do and the horse is doing it instantaniously. You don't move a muscle in the saddle you think it. You think - walk, trot, canter, flying change, hand canter, walk to canter, slightly extended trot stand. Think - not ask. It is a ridiculous level of schooling you require.

The best Show Hack performance I have seen was at Championship level and the rider went out straight from walk to canter. Trotted for a bit, collected a rose from the side of the ring, hand canter back to the judge, stop 3 strides away, rider got off and walked away from the horse leaving it were it stood to present the rose to the judge, went back, hopped back on and finished with a superb serpentine in counter canter - all of it one handed and immobile.

You won't be needing to anything so sophisticated at the level you plan on doing though.
 

mcnaughty

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Take a look at the the top producers on sites such as Fred the Cat, Equinational and ES Photography - you can learn a LOT from these guys.

Never underestimate the value of "products" too - take a look at the supreme products range!!

Horse Gossip is also a lot more "showy" than here - joint that forum and ask the same questions.

Best of luck!!
 

ironhorse

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Yes, he wants to be unbelievably glossy - feeding is an important part of this too. Some bay horses just glow anyway as soon as the spring grass comes through, but oil can help, and if he needs any extra oomph or stamina, Saracen Equijewel is amazing.
Supreme Products do a spray called Sparkle which is fab for a final 'bling' of manes and tails.
Get practicing your quarter marks too, especially getting the sharks teeth on his thighs right!
 

humblepie

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Echo all the above. Not many hack classes unaffiliated so once you have some experience go affiliated or try search for a star. Adore show hacks and have been fortunate to do well with my horse in them. Friend who had list some confidence rode him the other week and couldn't get over the how you just think canter and he does. Art is to have them that well schooled that if someone gives them heavier aids they still only do what is wanted.
 

nikCscott

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Yes, he wants to be unbelievably glossy - feeding is an important part of this too. Some bay horses just glow anyway as soon as the spring grass comes through, but oil can help, and if he needs any extra oomph or stamina, Saracen Equijewel is amazing.
Supreme Products do a spray called Sparkle which is fab for a final 'bling' of manes and tails.
Get practicing your quarter marks too, especially getting the sharks teeth on his thighs right!

Thank you I've only had him 2 weeks and he was a bit lean with a very fluffy dull coat as he had been out of work and 24/7 turnout, I've had him on a simple feed with Coolstance in it. Because of the weather have only just been able to start riding him although I did lunge him on the fresh snow. His coat although still fluffy- I'm waiting for a dry day to clip him- is a lot more shiny.

I think this was day 3 of him coming home
IMG_2806_zpscec3bd0e.jpg

And this is him on the weekend and his coat has improved a lot (I think...)
IMG_2829_zps13b68f1b.jpg


I know we still have a long way to go with his muscle building etc and looking at this fluffy chap I feel a bit daft talking about presenting him all glossy at a show, but you have to have a goal right? I have weekly lessons with a BD judge and will be starting these again as soon as her school is less sloppy!

Here's a clip from the hack championship at RIHS in 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX0bjVNZYQ8


Top hat and tails are just for championships so don't worry!


Thank you this is good to see and gives me an idea. I know I won't be close to this but I never enter anything without wanting to do as well as I possibly can. I am very competitive and want to give us both the best chance and watching how the best do it is a great place to start.

The browband wants to be an inch wide, not a narrow one. Lovely horse BTW :)

Thank you I'll start searching..... And thank you he has the best temperament which i what I was looking for with the added bonus that he has done a bit of everything as I like to hunt, dressage and SJ though winter and then a bit of eventing in summer when I spend the rest of my time taking my daughters to all their shows.

Echo all the above. Not many hack classes unaffiliated so once you have some experience go affiliated or try search for a star. Adore show hacks and have been fortunate to do well with my horse in them. Friend who had list some confidence rode him the other week and couldn't get over the how you just think canter and he does. Art is to have them that well schooled that if someone gives them heavier aids they still only do what is wanted.

I've looked up Search for a Star and there is a (sort of) local one in June or maybe 3 counties show if i'm feeling brave enough to sink the membership costs, so if the judge likes him at this low key one in March I'll definitely aim him at those.

Thank you so much for all your help the most showing I've ever done is local show style Workers, or Trailblazers Lead rein showing with my girls.
 
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Jesstickle

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Suziq77

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I'm going to steal both your horses and replace them with mine. It's not like you'd notice anyway. Theyr'e the right colour ;)

Yours are a little bit bigger than my midgets and my grey one is lighter and my brown one darker (and a mare not a gelding) so I might just suspect.... :D

I do think a pony swap day sounds fun though.
 

Jesstickle

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Yours are a little bit bigger than my midgets and my grey one is lighter and my brown one darker (and a mare not a gelding) so I might just suspect.... :D

I do think a pony swap day sounds fun though.

But my small hack has a hock like a grapefruit :( Boo hoo. That's what she was bought for. Now she's my eventer I guess.
 
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