Help! What showing classes (if any!) could we do?

_MizElz_

_MizElz_

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We're going to a lovely little show on Sunday, but I'm undecided as to what to enter. We're doing two SJ classes, but although we've only done showing a couple of times before (pretty disastrously!) I half wondered if we should have a bash at some classes this time just for fun, but I'm not sure what to enter...

There is a Veteran's class, which we are eligible for as she is 15...but I'm not sure whether she is actually old enough...do the judges only really look at the real elderly ones? Then there's Riding Horse, but Ellie's flatwork is so appalling I think I'd probably be wasting my money...and finally there's Working Hunter, but I'm not convinced she's the right type! She'd be fine as far as the jumping's concerned, but don't WHs need to be heavier?

It is only a local show at the end of the day, but I just need a bit of advice really, as I only ever see her as a showjumper...!

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There is a Riding Horse class...we'd be ok as long as the judge doesnt ride, lol! The only other RH class (just at a local show) I ever entered was a disaster...the judge hated her so much after riding her that we were placed bottom, below an unplaited and filthy cob with a bright blue numnah! :eek::D

I always think that in Veterans, they only go for the 25+ horses though :confused:
 
I haven't shown for yeeeears, but here's the best i can do...she's probably a bit fine for WH but you could do it anyway for fun, and you might do pretty well if she jumped a nice forward round and did a nice show. If she's eligible to do veteran you may as well, and make a big fuss over what fantastic condition she's in for a veteran ;) even if you're flatworks a bit dodgy you could do well in riding horse if she's fairly obedient and goes nice and calmly (ie not totally bonkers!) in the ring...
so basically you could do any of the classes! (I'm not saying you'll win though!) just do whichever you feel like and enjoy yourself :)
 
Riding horse looks like her type, but it is very flatwork orientated. The judge will probably ride too.

She's too light of bone to be a true working hunter, but at local level anything that jumps well can usually do quite well in those classes. Again the judge is likely to ride. It's often a very long class, however, so it might be worth checking to see if it might clash with your SJ class.

Riding club horse would be a good class if available, as it's more aimed at those who don't necessarily do showing.

As for the veterans, whilst judges will tend towards older horses this doesn't discount younger veterans completely. For example, my sister did an in-hand and ridden veteran on Sunday there with her 17 year old. She was 2nd in the in-hand to a 26 year old, but won the ridden despite the 2 other horses being older as she put in a better performance.
 
I'd do veteran to start with and working hunter with her, if you don't want to do riding horse because of her flatwork. It's only local level so won't matter too much with her height wise. Plus if she jumps well and clear, you'll be in with more a of a chance there as you'll have your jumping round to really shine and show her off,rather than be marked down from say just a pure ridden class if that makes sense? :)

Only problem I can see with workers, is that what worker class would you be elidgable for with her height/your age? Would you be ok if it's the open which would be 3ft6-9 normally?

Good luck either way and have fun :D Are you at Somerford this weekend?

ETA - Agreed with others in the fact that I would put her down a RH...however was just going with my reply on the basis of not wanting to do that class so which one's I'd do in relation to that :)

A lot of local level one's do not ride now also, mainly because of insurance etc as most shows aren't affiliated with the societies some of the judges are for insurance cover etc and it costs a lot and a lot of hassle for the show just to organise it for a volunteer judge to ride generally :)
 
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Thank you for all the responses! :D

Binky - definitely agree that it would be her jumping that would show her off, so it might be worth a shot! The over 15hh class at this show is 2'6-2'9, so we'd be ok with that :) Certainly wouldnt dream of it if it were 3'6, LOL! :eek: Not going to go to Somerford unfortunately, as we're not eligible for anything under 3'3 :( It's a real bugger; I've worked Saturdays for the past four years so have always yearned to go and never been able to....and now I'm competing again and have the chance to go, I cant enter anything! A real bummer :(

MissSBird - thank you :) That makes me feel a bit better about the Veterans, maybe it might be worth giving it a go. I'm hoping because it's just a small show that the judge wont ride...but even so, I think I will avoid Riding Horse. Her flatwork just isnt good enough - she can do a lovely walk and trot when she's in the right mood, but her canter is atrocious...!

Bryonyjane - thank you too! I think I may have a bash at the Workers and the Veterans then :) As you say, it's all good fun! :D
 
_MizElz_ said:
MissSBird - thank you :) That makes me feel a bit better about the Veterans, maybe it might be worth giving it a go. I'm hoping because it's just a small show that the judge wont ride...but even so, I think I will avoid Riding Horse. Her flatwork just isnt good enough - she can do a lovely walk and trot when she's in the right mood, but her canter is atrocious...!
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No problem :)

I would have thought that too a few years ago, but this year I've been finding the judge riding at all the local shows I've attended.
 
No prob! :) Ah that's a nice height then! :D Go for it good luck :D

I'm in minds whether to take my lad in the unaffiliated showjumping or enter a worker on him myself at Somerford lol :s Not decided yet!
 
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