Ex racehorse showing class

[allowayhorses]

Hello,

I am hoping to enter my tb into an ex racehorse class at great bookham show in a couple of weeks. It's only local level but I have no idea what to wear or what he should wear??

I may enter him in both in hand and ridden class for the experience (for us both). Can any showing experts help me out? He has black gp saddle and flash bridle with loose ring snaffle. I have navy jacket and hat, stock and shirt which I compete in local dressage in- will this do?

Also do you know what we will be asked to do in the in hand class?

Many thanks for any help x

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

In hand classes you walk round as a group then come into the line up. The judge gets you out one at a time to look the horse over and see it trotted up. Then you go back to walking as a group while the judge chooses the placings .

Since you're mainly going for experience I think your clothes will be ok. At the end of the class you can ask the judge if your clothes tack etc are ok, so you'll have a better idea for next time. It seems to be mostly shirt and tie for showing, but you won't be ordered out of the ring for wearing a stock!

 

[allowayhorses]

Thank you

That's a good idea to ask the judge at the end, they are obviously the expert x x

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Hello,

I am hoping to enter my tb into an ex racehorse class at great bookham show in a couple of weeks. It's only local level but I have no idea what to wear or what he should wear??

I may enter him in both in hand and ridden class for the experience (for us both). Can any showing experts help me out? He has black gp saddle and flash bridle with loose ring snaffle.

Preferaby take the Flash Strap off. If you have a humnah under your saddle make sure it is the same colour as the saddle and is a neat fit, if not then take it off. If your horse is thicker set with a bigger head - more of a hunter type then a plain bridle and browband. If they are dainter and more of a Riding Horse/Hack type then you get to wear a multicoloured velvet browband.

I have navy jacket and hat, stock and shirt which I compete in local dressage in- will this do?

As it's local and Ex-Racer your should be ok in your navy jacket. If your horse is thicker set and more hunter-ish then it should be tweed but go out, ask the udge what sort of horse they think he is and if you are going to carry on showing then investing in a tweed would be a good idea. Navy is always fine for Riding Horses and Hacks.

Preferably wear a shirt and tie if you can, stocks are more for evening performances in showing than anything else.

Also do you know what we will be asked to do in the in hand class?

In-hand is easy. As previously said all walk around, indiviually trot round the edge then into line.

Stand up infront of the judge - now this is an artform! If the udge is of the older generation then they tend to like to see all 4 legs at the same time so stand the horse up with the 2 legs closest to the judge slightly infront of the off side. If the judge is of the younger generation then stand the horse square infront and either square behind or slightly offset - slightly as in inches offset. Stand infront of your horse and when the judge goes to look at the front leg conformation step slightly to the side. Try not to fiddle with your horse too much to get it to stand square and if you need to move more than one foot then always go forward a step rather than back.

Once asked a few questions and sent on your way you walk away from the judge in as straight a line as possible, if the ring is small go to the end, if not then go 1/2-3/4 way along it, bring the horse out towards you slightly then turn in a small circle back towards the judge - turn the horse away from you - then trot back on the same line towards the judge, again as straight a line as possible. Walk 2-3 strides then trot as trotting off of a bend unbalances your horse and can make them look unlevel. Keep trotting past the judge - they will move, to the edge of the ring and then round to 3/4way down the line up of horses. Stop and walk back into your place in line.

Generally you all walk round again and then get pulled into your places. Once the class is dismissed all of the placed horses go for a trotting lap of honour (this can get hairy ) the rest leave at a walk.

Many thanks for any help x

Most importantly Smile! Have Fun! And don't be affraid to ask the judge and fellow competitors for tips on turnout, way of going and what you are supposed to be doing! Just try not to keep the judge talking for ages as they do have other classes to judge but usually are more than willing to give you a few pointers for a minute or so

 

[Carefreegirl]

Keep well away from back ends, front ends and sides
I've seen some appallingly badly behaved horses in these classes and pretty soon learnt to steer clear of EVERYONE and don't get to close in the line up. There was one in the line up (won't say the show but a county show) last year, it was pulled in second and kicked the first and third in the line up within a split second of each other and I mean a bone cracking kick - the girl on the first horse actually screamed.

Good luck though and they are fun - honest

 

[allowayhorses]

Thank you, he is a fine type of tb so more riding horse i would say. I'll definitely go out and buy a shirt and tie this week so that I'm suitably dressed.

If I take his flash off does it matter that the nose band will have the flash loop still?

Thanks so much for the tips on how to show him, very much appreciated. He did a good dressage test last weekend scoring 64.8% so hopefully a showing class will suit him. He tends to get comments about needing to be more forward so having horses around him should give him a bit more spark (hopefully)

Thanks again

 

[liz4949]

I have shown my ex-racer a couple times at local shows and it is good fun. The judges have always been really kind and understanding when they get a bit 'lit up' and think they are all off down to the start when you do the canter go-round. Do enjoy it!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Showing is all about being neat and tidy so if you can get a cavesson noseband without a flash loop this would be better. You should wear gloves for the ridden class and have a hairnet or a plait unless its short hair.