Futurity q

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Abbeygale

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I have a 2yo I'm am entered to take to futurity - and I just wondered what everyone else did in prep for futurity.

Also - I have seen in videos from futurity that in most of them there seems to be a couple of people at either end of the school with lunge whips - are these people that are helping with the futurity - or are they people's personal helpers?

I haven't been to a futurity before, and I was a bit concerned that everyone has a whole entourage that they take with them!! (I don't have an entourage....
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Thankies


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Basic things....make sure you have him/her confidently trotting up on a 20m triangle and that they're happy in a bit. Normally grooming stuff like making sure they're plaited and trimmed and smartened up.

Regards the helpers....is there any way possible that you can have any friends there on the day??? It is not a requirement however when you are asked to let the horse go and show their paces around the arena, it helps to have more people in the arena to keep the horse moving around the arena.....unfortunately the futurity guys are now allowed/able to help...
 
My Dad & I do all the prep and show between us - its MUCH easier with two or more people. I also got a girl from the yard to come and be an extra pair of hands.

In terms of prep, we just make sure that walk and trot in hand are good, then make sure that the mane is ready to be plaited about a week in advance - pulled etc. Clipped legs/ears/face the day before and bathed, then brush like crazy to get a real shine!

Good luck
 
Hi
I took my yearling to Arena UK Futurity, first time I had ever done it. Took a helper who was much needed.
Basically you get your vets inspection time where you are asked to walk away and towards, then do the same in trot and you are given a mark.
Then into the judges where you stand your horse, then walk a marked triangle, then trot it. Next you are asked to set them free, and encourage trot and canter around the arena, hence the helpers needed and the waving of schooling whips/flags/whatever!! Then of course, after chasing your horse, you have to catch it!!!! You then stand your horse again and wait to be awarded your score.
Vital your horse walks out properly and also I would recommend you don't stick to the markers but take a big triangle so you can really run and show off your horses paces. That's the other thing...you need to be able to run!!
 
Thanks for you answers guys!

I have one helper - and am now scratching my head to see if I can come up with one or 2 more - I don't know where from though!!!

Yes - baby pony is cool in her bit, and is walking and trotting up good as gold. I have been doing some triangle practice, and I am going to be taking her out for little practice runs in the lorry shortly.

I guess if I can't come up with any more peeps that I will just have to leg it around the school to get her trotting and cantering!!

Thankies
 
Just a thought...we met so many interested people around the rings that were willing to help i.e. take videos etc, maybe you could ask on the day if a couple of people will help out?? Take extra polo shirts that match so you look professional??? Although we managed with 2 of us. Good luck x
 
That's a good idea - I wasn't sure if there was just people loitering at the venue to help with the free school bit. The main problem to find people to help is that as it is mid week, me and all my hard working friends are at work!!!
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At the moment I'm not too worried about looking professional - most about getting through the day in one piece!!!
 
I am sure you will find a willing pair of hands. Everyone has been very friendly at the venues that we have been to. I think keep it simple, we had 3 people in the arena but could have coped with 2. Somebody at one of the venues we attended had 5 people in the ring each with a bottle of stones to rattle. Somebody stood in each corner and when the horse was let loose they all rattled their bottles! The poor horse was so confused that it did not know what to do so it froze to the spot! I hope you enjoy your day as much as we did!
 
Thanks hogie

I'm pretty sure that once we got there I could get my girl going on my own - we play these games in the field all the time (playing tag etc!!) - but I think I have found a 2nd helper that *may* be able to come - fingers crossed.

I managed to get some cheapo white trousers yesterday - so now I am back to panicking about going!!!
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Thanks for your help xx
 
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