Getting into showing....

[rainni_day]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a stunning Irish Sports coloured mare who had done well showing with the previous owner (placed at County HOYS Coloured qualifiers). My YO is a keen shower and I would like my mare to continue to be showed so have agreed with YO that she will show her at County level. However, I would like to be able to take her to some local shows and get confidence and experience and also have some fun. Having never done this before, what should I know? And where do I find info on these shows? I am in East Anglia, would be happy to travel in Norfolk and Suffolk. Are there specific websites and Facebook pages I should be following?

 

[windand rain]

You and the horse need to be clean and turned out appropriately for the class entered. You need to be able to walk away from the line up stand up your horse for the judge, walk straight turn in a loop to the right and trot straight back towards the judge, trot passed and keep going until you reach a point where Judge is not watching or nods Halt salute and rejoin line up. Biggest mistake learners make is turning the wrong way and starting to trot before the horse is fully facing the judge again trotting on the corner unbalances the horse and can make it look either unlevel or that its movement is not straight. Sometimes sport horses are shown on a triangle so you need to watch a few first same applies make sure any turns are balanced

 

[Leo Walker]

Do you want to do it? Showing is very much an acquired taste! People tend to love it or hate it with no middle ground. I'm taking the baby highland out in hand, but only because its a good education for a youngster. I very much doubt that anything on earth will get me into ridden showing with him!

Maybe try a local show first see how you get on? Or go and watch one at least

 

[windand rain]

Very true LW I love it but it is very subjective so you can stand top and bottom in the same week. I go because I enjoy the company and like the prep if you dont enjoy it I wouldnt bother but give it a go you never know it might be your thing

 

[Breagha]

Will it be in hand or ridden you will be doing?

I have a coloured which I have shown in hand since she was a yearling and now ridden (shes 8 this year). Mostly local level but she did the CHAPS non native at Blair last year with my husband and held her own to come 4th.

 

[rainni_day]

Thanks all, it will be ridden showing. I have just entered our first one - a local Riding Club one at the beginning of May - some silly classes and a more serious if we are feeling brave....! x

 

[windand rain]

Good luck ridden is much the same just make sure your figures of 8 are even and your show is short, walk away, trot back pick up canter as the start of your figure of 8 turning away from the line up trot across diagonal pick up opposite canter lead and extend down the side away from the line up trot walk halt salute is quick easy standard show and avoids extending behind the line up which might upset others. Sometimes the judge will tell you what show they want so listen and stick to it