first party with the mare soon, but which classes from the schedule..

[china]

Well grace goes to her first party a week saturday but im unsure what to put her in as shes not a native, tbh i dont know what she is! she is registered with sports horse GB. so this is the choices of inhand classes, i will do novice ridden with her depending on how busy it is. shes 9 years old and just scrapes 15.1. fairly wide build on tb legs.
Ring 2A In hand Classes Start at 10am
Class 8 : Best yearling In hand any breed
Class 9 : Best Shetland or miniature horse In hand.
Class 10 : Best Mountain and Moorland in hand small breeds
Class 11 : Best Mountain and Moorland in hand large breeds
Class 12 : Best Cob traditional or hogged
Class 13 : Best Coloured, Appaloosa or Palomino In hand

Ring 2B In hand Classes Start at 10.00am
Class 14 : Best 2 and 3 year old in hand any breed
Class 15 : Best riding show type In hand
Class 16 : Best Hunter Type In hand
Class 17 : Best Mare or Filly In hand
Class 18 : Best Colt, Gelding In hand
Class 19 : Best Child Handler 12 years and under.
Class 20 : Best Veteran In hand 16 +
In Hand Champion 1st & 2nd prize winners from classes 8 to 20

And this is her! Oh and do i trim her feathers off and wiskers etc, i cannot plait her mane as its like an exmoor mane so she will be natural!

 

[Archangel]

Well it looks like you only have a choice of two. Show or Hunter type. From the photo she looks more hunter type to me but as she is 15.1 and has TB legs maybe show (not being very helpful am I?). If it is a small local show and you are going for experience then I would do both.

Def trim off feathers, tidy up under chin and tufty ears (if any stray hairs), but I am not a whisker chopper myself. Bit of white on her legs so you can dazzle the judge with the whiteness. Her mane looks quite short so I would have a go at plaiting inc tail (if not pulled).

Ooops, just spotted mare or filly class so I would pick either hunter or show and then do mare and filly.

Make sure you stand her up properly for the judge and keep her attentive whilst judge is looking at her. Resort to something scrunchy in your pocket to make her put her ears forward if necessary

She looks lovely so best of luck

 

[foraday]

Agree with RebelRebel

The show is very restrictive!!!!

You really can only do riding type, hunter and best mare.

Remember your top half should be show jacket, hat etc and then bottom half black or beige trousers (I would go for black to show her white legs) and johd boots. Wear black gloves and have a show cane.

Bridle wise if you have an all singing dancing double - wonderful if not a normal snaffle bridle.

Practise at home walking and trotting in hand. (get your friend to pretend to be a judge)

Have a look when you get there to see if its worth entering the Hunter Type - if there are true hunters huge stocky legs and feet like dinner plates see how many are entered!!!

As a judge myself I will chose horses for hunters that will hunt all day without problems (stocky/chunky monkeys) rather than 'show types' (fine in build) but that is my interpretation of a Hunter!

I would just stick to 2 classes and enjoy! Ask the Judge honestly in the line up what you can improve on if you are not placed 1st! Some judges don't explain why they placed you - I personally do so that people can improve!

Good luck!!! & yes your mare is lovely! Show off those flashy white legs!

 

[SmallHunter]

I would go for hunter and best mare she isn't really a riding show type.

She has to be plaited for this as well as trimmed. You will look very out of place if she isn't.

You need tweed jacket, shirt and tie, navy trousers (women shouldn't wear black in the showring), brown gloves and cane and a hat. Choose shoes that are smart but easy to run in. A hairnet as well will make sure you are neat and tidy.