Help required from showing experts!

[tatty_v]

We have taken our little Shetland to a couple of fun shows this summer and been bitten by the bug!

We’re now tentatively eyeing up our local agricultural show, but looking at the schedule the classes look a bit more serious… whilst we are not expecting to win anything, it would be nice not to look completely out of place!

So far I’ve got away with my riding gear (pic below) as we’ve just done fun showing, but I’m thinking I might need to go for trousers and ankle boots? And maybe drop the riding helmet? Any pointers (including where to buy!) would be most welcome.


As for Badgy, we’ve been keeping everything “au naturel” (other than trimming his tail to stop it dragging on the floor) - is that right or should I be doing some more strategic trimming?!

 

[splashgirl45]

I’m no expert but I used to show my black mare and used to wear light beige trousers with jodhpurs boots, shirt and tie and jacket and riding hat, I showed at Essex county and won my class so it worked for me. As your Shetland is dark coloured I would go for light trousers and short boots you can run in as the long black boots will blend in with his legs so not show him off as well. He looks lovely. I only did it with mine as a youngster to get her used to lots of horses and noise etc and was surprised to do quite well . I really enjoyed it

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

To fit in with proper shetland people trousers/long skirt and smart boots/shoes are the go to. As is either a trilby or no hat. The rest of you is fine.

Trimming - trim ears flat if they are really fluffy otherwise leave them be. Trim the beard neat to the jaw. No other trimming what so ever.

Primark, Marks & Sparks etc have suitably smart trousers for not a lot of money. Hats are polite but not essential, mine is a Joules one. Shoes/boots - so long as they are smart and you can run in them you will be fine digging a pair out of the closet. I wear jody boots that are on their 17th showing season.

Oh and swop the black gloves! Any colour other than black is acceptable. Strictly speaking you should only wear black if you are in mourning.

 

[splashgirl45]

I forgot Elf was a Shetland owner and successful show person mine was in a small hunter class so a bit different, just have fun on your days out and if you get any pics we would love to see them

 

[tatty_v]

Thanks both, I’m off to find some trousers! Fingers crossed for better weather for our planned outing…

 

[tatty_v]

Well we did it! By god it was wet, so wet we nearly bailed in the morning but decided to plough on. Show ground parking was liquid mud, how we got in and out unscathed remains a mystery!

We came home with a third in the in hand Shetland class, first in child handler with my daughter and a special in the unaffiliated championship (because, quite frankly, there’s not a lot cuter than a 4 year old thelwell Shetland and his 4 year old human partner in crime!)

Thanks to @splashgirl45 and @Elf On A Shelf for the outfit tips. My boots may never recover (!) and I’ll be scrubbing mud out of all of our outfits for the rest of the weekend

 

[meleeka]

Well we did it! By god it was wet, so wet we nearly bailed in the morning but decided to plough on. Show ground parking was liquid mud, how we got in and out unscathed remains a mystery!

We came home with a third in the in hand Shetland class, first in child handler with my daughter and a special in the unaffiliated championship (because, quite frankly, there’s not a lot cuter than a 4 year old thelwell Shetland and his 4 year old human partner in crime!)

Thanks to @splashgirl45 and @Elf On A Shelf for the outfit tips. My boots may never recover (!) and I’ll be scrubbing mud out of all of our outfits for the rest of the weekend

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What a gorgeous pony!

 

[millikins]

He's lovely, well done.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Woo! Well done! You fit in now and most definitely don't look like an outsider in the Shetland world.

 

[Kaylum]

Fantastic well done

 

[View]

Oh he is gorgeous. Fantastic day then

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Brilliant well done. You'll be well and truly hooked now.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Both look very smart well done

I used to do alot of in hand I have some lovely beige cords from equitech and a navy waistcoat I got them second hand on preloved, I wear a lemon short sleeve shirt and navy tie it's ideal for warmer days.

So worth looking on ebay and other sites for show clothes.

 

[fetlock]

Well done!

Pony is gorgeous and you look very smart.

 

[splashgirl45]

Well done , lovely pony and you look just right in my eyes

 

[babymare]

Well done and by heck you both look amazing. Ps he is one gorgeous boy.

 

[Fjord]

Well I thought you looked good in the first picture but you look perfect in the second! Well done, your boy is gorgeous.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Well we did it! By god it was wet, so wet we nearly bailed in the morning but decided to plough on. Show ground parking was liquid mud, how we got in and out unscathed remains a mystery!

We came home with a third in the in hand Shetland class, first in child handler with my daughter and a special in the unaffiliated championship (because, quite frankly, there’s not a lot cuter than a 4 year old thelwell Shetland and his 4 year old human partner in crime!)

Thanks to @splashgirl45 and @Elf On A Shelf for the outfit tips. My boots may never recover (!) and I’ll be scrubbing mud out of all of our outfits for the rest of the weekend

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Out of interest how is your boy bred?

 

[tatty_v]

Out of interest how is your boy bred?

He came from the Sharptor breeders on Dartmoor - dad was Sharptor Armani and mum was Sharptor Delight. He was actually a lockdown purchase, bought as a yearling to keep my old boy company after my friend’s horse passed away suddenly. He wasn’t bought for showing, but they said they thought he’d make a fine family pony and he is doing just that although he’s grown up to be pretty smart! he arrived looking like this…


I’ve never had a youngster before so it’s been a joy watching him grow into that bum

 

[tatty_v]

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. Badgy is busy telling the big boys that he far exceeds them in popularity and achievements!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Sharptor ponies are in the in thing at the moment as they do so well in the ring. I like their black ponies. Not so much their coloureds, they lack bone and width.