First show - tips needed

little_critter

little_critter

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OK so I'm off to my first show on Sunday. I'll be doing 2 dressage tests plus whatever suitable showing / small jumping class I can squeeze in between tests.
As I don't want to look like a dressage diva all day I'll do dressage in a hacking jacket & coloured stock. The dressage is unaff - should I use a white saddle cloth or will this look daft with a hacking jacket? I'm hoping to get away with a grey numnah instead.

Also as I've never travelled to a show before (done dressage on 'home turf' before) any hints and tips as to what I should take and how to prepare pony (and keep her clean!)
She's a welsh cob x and if I do any showing it'll probably be the ridden cob class or family pony.

I was planning on bathing her and plaiting her mane in sat evening, then rolling up plaits on sun morning.

Can you put a tail guard over a tail plait when you travel or will I have to plait her tail at the show ground?
 
I would put a bandage over the plaited tail, thena tail guard on top, but that is because one of mine sits on the bar and rubs plait out.

I would just have a plain numnah if you want to show aswell, you don't need to have a white saddle cloth for the dressage. You can wear a shirt and tie for the dressage and then will be correct for showing too!

Obviuously give her a good bath before, and travel her in a travel rug especially if you are giving a haynet in the box, otherwise she will be covered in hay. Take basic grooming kit with you, hoof pick, I always have a long bristled grooming brush to flick dust and bits off the pony. A sponge for eyes nose and mouth, to mop up drool etc. Water and bucket so she can have a drink.

Sorry if this is stating the obvious!!

A friend to hold her while you go to the loo?
 
Depends if she's supposed to be plaited ? Being a welsh she should be native? In which case don't bother with plaits, just make sure her mane is neat and tidy. Depends on what she's crossed with of course. I see quite alot of people plaiting up natives for dressage and it just looks terrible.

You could get away with a hacking jacket and shirt & tie which would be more correct for the showing part and is acceptable for dressage. White saddlecloth is better than grey and for showing I'd take it off. If you do plait her, rolling up in the morning is fine but make sure you leave enough time. You could roll up at night and cover her with a hood if you have one? Also use bandage legs after washing. Don't have any experience with tail plaiting beforehand, I think the few times I did it, I did it in the morning.
 
Hi there- how exciting!

Right bath and plait afternoon/evening before and roll plaits then, plaits do tend to stay in and even if one does come out just re stitch or band in the morning. Also any white socks or stable stains may need a quick shampoo in the morning. Waste of time plaiting the tail then putting a guard over and wrecking it, plait when you get there- it will be fresh and tidy and also a nice time for you both to soak up the atmosphere.

Your clothes, it's an unaffiliated show i wouldn't worry about the dressage / show jumping as dress code is same (i show jump in navy showing jacket white stock and saddlecloth and don't think I look like a dressage diva- just a well turned out SJ'er) but as you are doing the showing classes, in which it will be correct for you to be in a hacking jacket, so use this as your base (unless you want to take 2 jackets). I'd wear the saddle cloth and either just whip it off for the showing classes or swap for the darker colour (strictly speaking it should be the same as your saddle) but naked is fine- it's only for 15 minutes.

If you don't know if your horse is good to load practice before hand and have lunge line ready on the day just in case.

Get as much ready packed the day before to take the pressure, write a list and most importantly have fun! x
 
She's Welsh X isn't she so you are right to plait.

I always find a couple of packets of polos a good hting and don't forget your camera!
 
Stating the obvious is good!
Luckily my girl is a good traveller so no worries there.
I was wondering about not plaiting - she's Welsh cob x Fell so it would be correct. I've only ever done dressage before where everyone plaits everything!
I'd be happy not to plait - she has a lovely tail and my plaiting is rubbish!
I should be ok for a friend to hold her - it's pretty much a yard outing, hence why I've blagged a space on the lorry.
 
Ah, you shouldn't really plait then if she's crossed with another native. Just make sure she's neat and tidy. If she has a really long mane you could do a running plait but only if it's down to her shoulders.
 
Enjoy would be my best tip and dont forget photos.
Apart from that I would runing plait her for the dressage then take it out before you go in to the showing classes. I plait tails in the morning then put a tail bangage over it. If she has white socks on the back legs bandage right down over the heels then put travel boots on top, it wont keep them perfect but will make them considerably better. Personally if I'm showing I dont use a nunmah but thats personal choice.
 
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