eep, please help/tips? Sorry if long! o.o

[Sol]

Ok - lets just say that what I know about any sort of showing isn't worth the waste of breath to say it, but I really want to have a go at this equitation class next weekend and preferably not make a fool of myself and obviously I would -like- to do well, even if 'well' just means at least matching the standards of everyone else and not looking lost in the ring! And also, I know NOBODY who is into showing! So kinda stuck. eep

Doing an Equitation class (ages 12-16) on my gelding
Need to know...

- Can I wear my grey jacket/hat? (as these are what I use for dressage & showjumping!)
- Even though I'm only 15, can I wear long boots as these are all I have and normally I compete as a senior seeing as my horse is 15.1hh! (and I'm 16 next month... psh...)
- How long should I be aiming to make my ridden show? Don't want to be making it up on the spot a second time!
- Can I use a martingale?
- Can I use my dressage saddle or would I be better off using my jumping saddle?


Sorry about all the q's, I just don't want to look too idiotic and find out we get eliminated as we enter the ring for something stupid...

It honestly wouldn't surprise me!
Only want to have some fun and get pony out doing something but would like to do more equitation if it goes well possibly??

Have to start somewhere!

Cookies if you got this far

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

Equitation class? any guide lines in schedule? do you have to jump? i would choose hacking jacket hat long boots. shirt and tie and gloves, no martingale snaffle bridle and choose saddle dependant on if judge riding. if judge riding i would go for GP. plaited and fully trimmed, (if not a native) individual show should include W/T/C on each rein halt and salute short and sweet! Enjoy.

 

[Sol]

Schedule = rubbish, no rules, guidelines, anything.
I'm doubting that we'll have to jump, but it is a possibility, and if we do can't see it being more that 2' and have jumped 2'6 reasonably well in my dressage saddle! Find jumping saddle tends to tip me forward more which obviously isn't good for equitation!
Hacking jacket? (dear god tell me i'm not going to have to buy a new jacket, if so - I QUIT xD)
Bridle is snaffle with drop noseband anyway.
Judge wont ride for equitation surely? As it's judged on the rider and well.... riding the horse isn't going to help judge that! And I don't own a GP saddle anyway...
Thanks though

Think I need to go dig out some more of my show gear and sort out my plaiting!

 

[Flight]

Don't panic equitation is not as strict as showing in my experience. It doesn't matter if your plaits aren't the best or your horse doesn't have the best conformation etc. The judge normally doesn't ride but will want to see your horse is obedient and balanced in all 3 paces on both reins. Keep your show short but use it to try and show your horse off to best abilities ie if horse got great trot but not so good in canter then keep canter short and do more trot. If horse can do accurate clean flying change then use that if not change through trot etc. Don't forget to halt nr judge and salute at end of show.
You will be fine to use same jacket you use for showjumping and if you happy in dressage saddle then that should also be fine.
Hope that helps and good luck.

 

[Sol]

Thank you!

No chance of teaching him flying changes in a week so will do extra practice on simple ones as I think it will be useful

Thanks!

 

[Brandysnap]

Hi Sol,

Great advice from Flight, but i'd add that i don't think flying changes are expected, so stop worrying!

It's a shame that schedule doesn't give details of expected dress (which show is it, BTW? Local annual? RC usually give great detail re dress/equipment, etc, while local annuals are a little vague! Could be worth asking organisers who judge is for equitation, + contacting him/her re what you are being judged on?)

As i understand:

- i think your grey jacket + hat will be fine
- i think your long boots are very appropriate
- i'd do a walk, trot + canter on each rein, in figure of 8
- defo NO to martingale!
- dressage saddle

I'd plait/turn out best i could, friend. Plan what you're going to ride (ie simple figure of 8, both reins, in 3 paces), but be prepared for alternative request from judge (who's probably got bored!!)Ride your best, think ahead, + ride like you did in a great lesson at home!

Oh + re elimination before you get in there - i'd leave whip + spurs outside, as they get a bit 'iffy' about them! Simple snaffle, no gadgets. (But it's down to organisers to stipulate , which sadly they haven't in your case)

Hope i've helped, as a very non-showing person myself, but done a few equitation classes with a mad mare (the last i tried was in a sand arena, + she thought she was on the beach.......if i said 'wall of death', you might get jist?!

Enjoy, friend, however it may go! My best wishes for a lovely, enjoyable day, you'll learn loads, BS x

 

[Sol]

The show is being run by Prestige Equine Events, but local so a fair few of us are giving it a go! They're running something like 60 classes but no details for any of them :/

I don't carry a whip or use spurs on him anyway

He'd probably go nuts!
Hanging cheek snaffle and drop noseband ok? Or am I better to go with a flash or even plain cavesson? would prefer not to do that as he has been known to get a little over excited at which he just opens his mouth and sods off with his head in the air! o.o Should cope without martingale as we do fine at dressage but not sure how many risks I can take!

haha, I can see where she makes the comparison

Thank you so much! You've helped a great deal! Feeling much better about it now!