Gypsy cob tack?

[bakewell11]

Hi, we hope to show our piebald mini gypsy cobs, (colts 10 months)
can anyone advise as to what type of in hand bridle, bit if any, and what we should wear? (my husband and myself) don't want to go same as welshie's and then discover we've got it wrong...many thanks for any pointers! Also, is chaps the way to go with gypsy cobs?

 

[horsey_jo]

When you say chaps.. do you mean leg chaps or Coloured Horse And Pony Soc?
Lol.
If you mean the latter there is also http://www.traditionalgypsycobassociation.com/ that is in talks at having classes at HOYS and already has classes at equifest.
A plain looking in hand bridle would be fine - most shows require that all stallions and colts are bitted in the show ring.

 

[bakewell11]

Hi
thanks for reply! I meant coloured horse and pony... And shall look into the gypsy cob ass too, sO thank you! On subject of chaps tho, is it simply a case of shirt tie and waistcoat? Hat? Cap? Do I have to dress like a gypsy ? : / and do yearling colts need a bit? Or is it more correct to have a slip type bridle until they are two? They are both quite strong and unruly! In a cob like way...

 

[Theresa_F]

If you have a gypsy cob then you can join the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association - tgca.co.uk or if they are coloured, then CHAPS and/or BSPA are also open to you.

You want something like this

Turnout - you can use either a hard hat (never black) or a trilby - tweed jacket, shirt and tie, trousers - beige is common, short boots that you can run in. Brown gloves and a show cane to finish.

Yearling colts - TGCA states they must be bitted. Fillies and geldings can be shown in a halter or a bridle, but many people have them bitted if they are likely to give any trouble as they can be very strong if they want to be.

 

[debsey1]

Sorry for hijacking this post. You look very smart, what sort of trousers do you wear? Can you wear beige or brown jods or do they have to be trousers?

We are doing our first show soon and there is a minefield of do's and don'ts. I have a Skewbald and I was told not to wear beige trousers as it won't compliment his white feathery legs. What do you advise? Thanks in advance

 

[Theresa_F]

You see many people showing coloured horses with white legs wearing beige. Strictly speaking the rule is dark trousers with light legs and vice versa.

This is me with dark trousers

and with beige - excuse the bald head and overweight squeezed in look, but I had put on over 2 stone whilst having chemo and was desperate to do this show without having to buy more clothes.

If you can get cords or thick cotton, ie jean type of trousers they will be fine.

Some people do show in hand with jods on, normally because they don't have time to change between classes. I personally try to change as I find running in my long boots very difficult as Stinky gets a real move on at times.

 

[debsey1]

Aww bless you, you look fantastic and your 'stinky' looks lovely too!

Thanks for the advice, I'll will defiantely try to procure some beige & brown cords, going to look out for a trilby too.....love yours x

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

(sorry to hijack) but whatta GORGEOUS cob! No surprise you were in the ribbons.

Ehmmm, where did you get that bridle? Its fab.

 

[Theresa_F]

Trilby - from e-bay. If you are showing youngsters - check the class rules as some insist you wear a hard hat. Also under 18s need to wear a hard hat for showing in hand as well as ridden but you can pick up something old on ebay and remove the harness for in hand. The hard hat I have is one from the late 60s and Sandon Saddlery and cost me £15 - still has the original black elastic which I did leave on and bought back memories of the days when I used to like chewing through them - I was an odd child

Bridles, both are from Flyde Saddlery - top quality leather and if you decide to sell, very sort after and holds it price. The double on the grown up Stinky is a 2" noseband with 5/8 bridle work and is a combination of full and cob as he has a broad but shortish head. I splashed out on the plaited reins as these are great as they give a good grip and finish the picture.

Thank you, Stinky is my pride and joy, first and last youngster and has no price tag as I owe my life to him when he found the cancer in my boob last year - seems like it is not only dogs and cats that can sense them.

 

[bakewell11]

Thank you sooo much!!! Feel much clearer now, and to echo other replies, the pictures are lovely helpful and rather intimidating!! Lol make our babies seem very young and baby looking! Have looked at Fylde website.... Beautiful but would have to be a secret from husband!! and the trot?? Should it be chilled and balanced, or more section D/ real gypsy run as fast as possible for full extension???? We are practising at home, my stress incontinence may be a problem...

 

[Theresa_F]

This is Stinky and I doing our first show - he is 22 months - hope this is less intimidating

That bridle I got for about £20 on ebay and it did to start us off. He is on a long rein as it was his first show, just in case I needed it. My kit is fine, though I have over the years refined it as I have learnt more and gone to affiliated and county level. I now have a better fitting jacket, smarter trousers, learnt how to do a tie properly and changed to a hard hat and upgraded the bridle.

Yes, Flyde is not cheap, but it holds it value. When Stinky went to using his riding bridle for in hand classes, I sold it for 85% of the original purchase price.

Trotting - should be active, in the TGCA classes, we like to see them flashed up - very active trot on a long rein round the ring, CHAPS and BSPA are a bit more steady.

Whereabout are you - we have TGCA classes up and down the country and you could go and do some for experience. You could also come and compete or just visit TOYS (Traditional of the Year Show) which is at Keysoe on the 25th September - there will be a range of cobs there, including some of the best in the country for you to see and get an idea of where you should be aiming. Details are on tgca.co.uk.

Finally this is Stinky at 15 months, the pictures I posted earlier are of him as as a 5 and 6 year old so you can see the difference. This year he is even more chunky and filled out.

 

[Welsh Scot]

Theresa, This is a big bit of luck, chancing in on this thread! My 4 yr old came as a 3 yr old in a snaffle (well worn). I used a Myler combination as I've used them for years but not to train a horse. I've changed to a snaffle (with the side pieces attached to the bridle) as he didn't seem too happy sometimes, eg on open hill going downhill. In our sloping yard, I ground train him Natural Horseman style & continue in the saddle going over ground poles, go up our open hill to practice coming down (in a controlled manner!). With the Myler in use & on open hill with a group of ridden horses in front, I've had to grab a rein & circle him to stop him going faster to catch them up. I've been using the lower part of the Myler when out of the yard. I'd be grateful for your experience and thoughts.