First Time Showing!ADVICE?

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smurphy2000

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I have a 14.2hh 6yo gelding. He's dark brown/seems black and has a few spots on his quarters. He has very nice paces and you would think he was 15.3! He's muscly/chunkier, but not a cob. I am taking him to a small local show on Sunday. He's a very pathetic appaloosa, but he is, so would this affect which classes I could enter? I am wondering if he is eligible to do Hunter/Working Hunter even with his markings? He seems a perfect Lightweight Hunter type! He has a muscly neck. I would be very grateful for Any advice on which classes I could do, what I should wear, the individual show, His turnout and what we should practice at home.
I have heard that plaiting the tail is old fashioned and pulling is much more acceptable. I myself dont really like the pulled tail look so would a plaited tail be allowed?
 
Coloured horses are becoming more accepted in mainsteam classes so I dont think a few spots will spoil your chances at all.

Turnout for hunter classes is a plain unstitched bridle, preferably a straightish cut saddle with no numnah (or the same colour and cut very close to your saddle shape if you have to) Plaited mane and pulled tail (you can plait but its seen as old fashioned)

For you a tweed (pref green) hacking jacket, cream shirt, tie & tie pin, beige breeches, long black boots, navy hat with flesh coloured harness, hair in a bun, brown showing cane, brown gloves. Spurs or dummy spurs (this depends on the class)

For your individual show you need to show both paces on both reins. We use a figure of eight in trot and canter. On the second half of the canter circles continue straight down the long side of the ring and extend or gallop. Dont forget to show of walk somewhere in it. Sometimes the judges will tell you what show to do, if not the above works well, its not too long, everyone get fed up if you make it too long.

I would practice your show at home and also the go round if you have other horses who can join you. It can get a bit hairy when they go for canter if you have people passing you or running into the back of you (happens a lot, even though it shouldn't) if its a bigger show and they do a gallop on the go round it gets even worse.

Practice standing still in the line up and walking and trotting in hand (if confirmation is judged seperately) Nothing worse than doing a good ridden bit and the trotting up letting you down.

If its a big show then the judge may ride, your horse should be used to various other riders, some are heavier and have "different" riding styles.

Cant help with the working hunter, we dont do jumping :D :D
 
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As I'm under 16 is it true that I can wear short boots and chaps? I only have matching brown, is this acceptable? I have been told that only tweed jackets are acceptable, but I only have a navy sj jacket! Will this matter as its only a small local show?
 
sorry I don't know much about children and pony classes but I "think" brown joddy boots no chaps, navy jackets are fine for pony classes that aren't M&M. Im sure someone will know better though.
 
Make sure you get somebody to clean the bottom of your boots with a wet cloth or baby wipes once you're mounted :)
 
Sorry, selective reading I'm afraid, I read the lightweight hunter and didn't notice the height.

Dont know much about pony classes, sure someone else will.

If its a small local show, just wear what you already have, as long as you look tidy and clean. You can get the right gear later if you like it and are succesfull.
 
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