Heeeeeelp.... Got my brave pants on but need you!

[Queenbee]

I've decided to take the plunge and take Ben to the county show in June. Since its so big and he's just a baby I will be taking him in the in hand BSPA qualifier, but will not be eligible for qualifying as I'm not going to register him.

We are entering the skewbald and piebald in hand. Now, I basically have two and a half months to prepare him for this. Get him fit and special looking at least I don't have to worry about any ridden aspect

He has had about 3 months winter holiday, so.... The very best plan/schedule for getting him fit. He is a bit wolly at the moment, his coat is just starting to come out, he was clipped once early in the year so I reckon he should be good for June, although I'm off to Tesco to get a big load of oil for his feed to help him gleam.

Right then... So to all those of you who show... Help me please to work out a decent fitness schedule, bearing in mind he is four this year.

Oh and bear in mind... I have never done something so big in my life

 

[BBP]

No idea but bumping it for you. I would have thought general baby hacking 4 times a week ought to be fine to get him in shape for an in hand show. The rest is about introducing him to stuff he might see there and making sure he is well mannered to walk, trot and stand in hand. Hopefully someone else is more helpful!

 

[Lolo]

I'd imagine for inhand classes, you'll be the one who needs to be super fit! He'll need to look immaculate and be in good (read correct, not fat!) condition. But you need to be fit enough to run around and around an arena keeping up with him and not hindering him at all...

 

[Queenbee]

Lol, yes I need to be fit . condition wise I hope he will look like he did last summer:

Just a note to say his mane is sticking up so makes his withers look huge and he is leaning forward to me so his front legs look iffy, but it shows the 'condition.

I'm thinking along the lines of a few hacks, schooling once a week, and strapping, and yes...it's been a few years but I do know how to strap correctly.

I do have a Pessoa and he is calm and chilled to lunge so I was wondering if it may be prudent to add this at a later date, 1 or two short sessions post warm up hack.

Currently he looks more like this

 

[Adopter]

Sister showed her 16.3 ID in hand as a youngster and it was great education for the atmosphere, seeing new things, travelling etc.

Would agree that the one who had to be fit is youto do the running - horses are usually quite round looking in shows, and of course the gleaming coats are a must!

Love the markings on your horse. It will be good for your youngster and hope you do well.

 

[meandmyself]

I'd clip his legs a couple of weeks before the show, to give a nice clean outline.

Does he trot well in hand? He needs to move off when you ask and not lag.

He's lovely.

 

[meandmyself]

Another thought- play about a bit with bridles before you go to find the one that really flatters his head. Can't hurt, right?

 

[Queenbee]

Sister showed her 16.3 ID in hand as a youngster and it was great education for the atmosphere, seeing new things, travelling etc.

Would agree that the one who had to be fit is youto do the running - horses are usually quite round looking in shows, and of course the gleaming coats are a must!

Love the markings on your horse. It will be good for your youngster and hope you do well.

Thank you, if he looks like he did last summer I will be happy, don't want him looking any 'rounder'. As I said, I'm going to start adding oil, regular grooming, cotton sheet so I can keep whatever is next to his skin clean rugging wise, the odd bath but regular hot towelling to lift the dirt out. That should take care of the coat side of things.

It will be a good experience I agree, I think I have two, possibly three other smaller local shows in mind for the year but this is the big one

I'd clip his legs a couple of weeks before the show, to give a nice clean outline.

Does he trot well in hand? He needs to move off when you ask and not lag.

Good point re the legs.

Err no, he is a lump! I actually tried today and we had an epic fail but, he is a quick learner so I will be practicing and getting him really responsive


He's lovely.

Another thought- play about a bit with bridles before you go to find the one that really flatters his head. Can't hurt, right?

Bridle wise I have thought loads about this last year, and want to go with the Jeffries traditional range, I had one for ebony sadly she never got to wear it, but I love the quality and the look, they so a nice variety on the noseband and its so hard to find a nice thick good quality hunter noseband

I am right to assume that plain hunter style would be correct for him? Please don't tell me I'm going to have to put that big head into some dainty rolled sh@@ and a cutesy show browband

I was thinking this: