First show??

[Ladybird L]

The local(ish) Agri show has just put up their schedule. I’ve been having a look. It’s in late August, so if me and my cob are doing ok together, I might try entering a class. (Otherwise I might enter on a friends cob)
I have never showed before, and I really have no idea how to go about it.
I will attach a pic, but she is a 15hh, 11yo black cob mare.
I would love to do something with jumping, however working hunter seems to be one of the only classes with jumping. Can cobs do working hunter? Or do you have any other suggestions for a first show?
She is not hogged, but I guess she has been trimmed/pulled.
Also any tips/advice/anything in particular we should practice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You probably could do working hunter but most will be plaited and tail pulled, it's not normally one of the easiest classes to start with if you have never done a showing class.

A cob class might be your best option but most are hogged or left traditional but if its more of a local type show you could just enter.

Do they have a riding horse class that often involves a small jump.

If you can find any previous pictures of that particular show it will give you an idea of the level and what to expect.

 

[MagicMelon]

Definitely go and watch some working hunter first so you can see whats involved and whats expected. You'd probably find it a lot easier for your first show to do a ridden class as working hunter has more bits to it. Id also strongly suggest taking horse out to smaller RC type shows first to get him used to shows. Agri shows usually blow my horses minds as theres so much more to see and look at (grandstands, cows, alpacas, millions of screaming babies in prams, balloons etc.)

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I meant to say riding club horse class not just riding horse.

 

[Spotherisk]

Can you give us a link to the schedule (unless you don’t want to divulge your general area)?

I would aim for ridden cob class although your mare may fall into that slightly grey area where she isn’t hairy enough to be shown as a traditional and you have to decide whether to accept that you’ll be marked down, or literally go the whole hog with clippers!

Does she have recorded breeding - is there perhaps a part bred class she could do?

And then do a separate jumping class!

 

[Ladybird L]

Ok so she has shown before - I’m pretty sure she’d be fine, plus the horses are off by themselves in a separate more quiet section. I’m the newbie!!
Oh don’t worry I spent a couple of hours watching the working hunters last year!!

No breeding recorded unfortunately.

Here are screenshots of the classes her height can do…

 

[Spotherisk]

Classes 804 and 815 are what I’d aim for.

 

[whirlwind]

How old are you? I can’t remember the exact ages but plaited working hunter ponies have age limits on them usually.

 

[minesadouble]

Plaited 15hh WHP would usually carry a rider age limit (rider not to have attained 20th Birthday in the January of the showing year) so you definitely need to check this in case you are not eligible.

It looks as though it's quite a big Agricultural Show, which one is it?

15hh Worker courses tend to be pretty meaty tracks, (around 1.05 if my memory serves me well). If the show is not run under BSPS Rules the course may be smaller but it will probably still take a bit of jumping.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Some agricultural shows don't always have affiliated classes under the rules of the societies, one that we had near me didn't the horse classes were just like a local show so no specific rules as who can enter.

If they are they will normally state so on the entry form.

 

[Ladybird L]

Thanks everyone!
That sounds like a good plan, I get the best of both worlds then.
I’m definitely ok to go in the classes, I’ve checked
The novice class is max 85cm, which should be ok as she is currently jumping 90s.